ORANGE COUNTY — High school seniors in Orange County have an opportunity to apply for one of Indiana’s most prestigious scholarship programs, with applications now open for the 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.
The program will award 147 scholarships statewide, with recipients receiving four years of full tuition and required fees at an eligible Indiana college or university. Scholars may also receive up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment.
The application deadline is noon on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
Representatives from the Orange County Community Foundation have visited all three Orange County high schools to provide information about the scholarship and help eligible students navigate the online application process.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. Students must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Rank in the top 15% of their graduating class.
- Be on track to earn an Academic Honors or Technical Honors Diploma.
- Plan to attend an eligible Indiana college or university full-time and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- Either live in Orange County and attend one of the county’s three high schools, or live outside Orange County but have attended an Orange County high school for all four years.
Students who meet the basic eligibility requirements will then go through a competitive selection process.
Applications are evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, school and community involvement, character, financial need and other considerations.
The selection process begins with a blind initial review. Students who advance as finalists will participate in a timed essay and an in-person interview before scholarship recipients are selected.
The recipient is expected to be announced in December 2026.
A Major Opportunity for Indiana Students
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has supported Indiana students since 1997. Since the program began, more than 5,400 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, with more than $505 million in tuition grants provided.
For eligible Orange County seniors, the scholarship could provide significant financial support throughout their college education while allowing them to attend an Indiana institution.
Students interested in applying are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline.
Applications must be submitted by noon on Sept. 4, 2026. Eligible students should take advantage of the opportunity and make sure their applications are complete and submitted on time.
