Open Enrollment: Jan-24-2022 Deadline: Apr-14-2022 G.E.D. Renewable Application Closed

The Diane Siemer Scholarship Fund was established to perpetuate higher education scholarship opportunities for General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or a High School Diploma through a Pathways class in Effingham County. The scholarship was established by Diane’s family in honor of her long career in education.

In the early 1980’s Diane Siemer was hired by Lake Land College as a contract teacher for the GED Class. Diane passionately taught the class until her retirement in 2007. During her 25 years of teaching, she worked with approximately 500 students working to obtain their GED certificate.

Several scholarships up to $2,500 each are available.

Requirements

1. Applicant must have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED certificate) or a High School Diploma through Pathways.
2. Applicant must reside in Effingham County or have participated at the Kluthe Center.
   
3. Applicant must have a goal of completing a certification program, a two-year associates degree, a four-year college degree, or a vocational/technical school. The scholarship is not available for graduate school or other higher education.
   
4. Applicant who has never received this scholarship must have online reference completed by their GED or Pathways instructor or current employer.
   
5. Applicant asking for continuation of the scholarship must have online reference completed by a college or program instructor. The scholarship will only be renewed for students showing progress in their program.
   
6. Previous scholarship recipients that remain qualified and apply, will receive preferential funding.
   
7. Applicant must submit a written essay describing their education and career goals.
   
8. Applicants must agree to an interview by the scholarship committee if requested.
   
9. Applicant who is or will be attending Lake Land College, Mattoon, Illinois, will be given preferential funding.
   
10. Scholarship is not available for education higher than a bachelor's (four-year) degree.
11. Application deadline is Friday, March 11, 2022 by midnight.
    

Selection Criteria

• Education and career goals: 50%
• Financial need: 30%
• Community leadership/activities: 10%
• Work experience: 10%
• Total: 100%

Our News Articles

• 

  2021 Diane Siemer Scholarship announces two recipients

  10/22/2021 1:01:00 PM

  Carly Bowman and Katelin Culler were named recipients of the 2021 Diane Siemer General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Scholarship.

• Three recipients selected for Diane Siemer Scholarship

  6/20/2018 9:14:00 AM

  Kobey Workman, Hailey Marsh, and Kalina Dunn have been selected as recipients of the 2018 Diane Siemer General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Scholarship.

• Diane Siemer Scholarship names two recipients

  7/17/2017 11:07:00 AM

  The purpose of the Diane Siemer Scholarship is to perpetuate higher educational opportunities by providing scholarships to GED graduates in Effingham County.

• 

  Diane Siemer Scholarship names two recipients

  5/31/2016 10:58:00 AM

  The scholarship was established by Diane’s family in honor of her long career in education working with individuals to earn their high school diploma by completing the GED test.

• 

  Siemer Scholarship awards two scholarships

  6/30/2015 3:16:00 PM

  The Effingham County Community Foundation recently named Tiffany Beccue and Maria Carrillo-Quijano as the 2015 recipients of the Diane Siemer GED (General Equivalency Diploma) Scholarship. This is the second year both recipients received the scholarship.

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  2014 Diane Siemer recipients announced

  7/21/2014 3:22:00 PM

  The Effingham County Community Foundation recently named Tiffany Beccue and Roccio Carrillo as the 2014 recipients of the Diane Siemer Scholarship.

• 2012 Diane Siemer Scholarship recipient named

  6/18/2012 3:24:00 PM

  Kennedy Brummerstedt has been named as the second recipient of the Diane Siemer Scholarship Fund.