Scholarships available through The Defiance Area Foundation:
Lisa Yoder Scholarship Fund:
Lisa Yoder encouraged higher education. This fund, established through a trust in her name and maintained by the Defiance Area Foundation, is in memory of Lisa. The scholarship will be payable directly to the college or university of the student’s choice. This non-renewable scholarship is awarded annually to applicants who have graduated from a public high school, attended St. Michaels Catholic Church as a member at the time of application, and are continuing on as a full-time first year student at an accredited university or college pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The amount is determined annually based on the fund balance and investment return and payable directly to the college or university of the student’s choice. Contact Chris Yoder at The Defiance Area Foundation at (419) 782-3130 or chris@defianceareafoundation.org for more information.
Fairview Football Scholarship Fund:
This fund was established by a group of Fairview Alumni athletic supporters. This non-renewable scholarship is awarded annually for a senior varsity football player that is going on to college. The amount is determined annually based on the fund balance and investment return and payable directly to the college or university of the student’s choice. Contact Fairview Schools guidance counselor: lori.polter@centrallocal.org.
Fairview Schools Fund:
The Fairview Schools Fund offers several scholarships annually to a senior who will be graduating from Fairview High School. Criteria include: GPA, essay, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service. Contact Fairview Schools guidance counselor: lori.polter@centrallocal.org.
Defiance Metal Products Scholarship Fund:
DMP Scholarships are offered annually to employee’s children or dependents. Scholarships are available to all divisions. Scholarship awards will be divided equally among all qualified applicants, with the minimum scholarship amount of $100.00. This scholarship is non-renewable. Eligible applicants include: have graduated from a public high school or obtained their G.E.D., child or dependent of a DMP employee, and are continuing on as a full-time first year student at an accredited university or college pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Contact Jodie Mohr at Defiance Metal Products for more information – jmohr@defiancemetal.com.
Defiance High School Girls Tennis Scholarship Fund:
Greg and Helen Reineke established this fund to promote girls tennis at Defiance High School and to provide financial to further their education in a field of their choice. This scholarship will be made payable directly to the college or university. Preference will be given to qualified students with the greatest financial need.
Eligible applicants include: have graduated from Defiance High School, have participated in the sport of girl’s tennis a minimum of 3 years, lettering minimum of 2 years, and achieving a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA for their four years of high school. Contact: Defiance High School Guidance Counselor: tsinger@defiancaeschools.net.
Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC) Scholarship Fund:
This fund was established by Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. who realizes the importance of higher education. This non-renewable scholarship is awarded annually to be used for post-secondary education by providing a scholarship to eligible persons who will attend a qualified educational institution (all accredited institutions). The amount will be determined annually based on the fund balance and investment return. The scholarship will be payable directly to the college or university of the student’s choice. Eligible applicants include all chamber members in good standing, member’s employees, employee’s spouse, and employee’s dependents who are accepted at an accredited university or college pursuing a degree, certification or license.
Contact The Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce for more information marketing@defiancechamber.com.
Melton Family First Generation Scholarship Fund:
Terry and Ann Melton established this fund to provide an opportunity for first generation college students to attend college and to provide financial assistance to further education in a field of their choice. This $1,000 scholarship will be made payable directly to the college or university of their choice. Preference will be given to qualified students who have the greatest financial need.
Eligible Applicants / Qualified Persons:
-Will graduate from Defiance High School
-Are the first generation in their family that intends to graduate from college (their biological parents – or adoptive parents, if adopted did not graduate from a four year college)
-Must have achieved at least a B average in High School
-Intend to graduate from College with a Bachelor’s Degree
Application Information
Applications should be mailed to Defiance Area Foundation, 613 West Third St., Defiance, OH. 43512. Applications will be accepted with a postmark no later than April 30. The student will make application on the designated form and will provide the following additional information attached to the application:
-Financial aid award letter
-College fee sheet
Contact: Defiance High School Guidance Counselor – tsinger@defiancaeschools.net.
Erica J. Strausbaugh Scholarship Fund:
The Strausbaugh Family established a scholarship fund in 2018 in the memory of their daughter Erica. Erica graduated from Tinora High School in 1997. She always had an interest and love of baking. In 1998 she attended Culinary Arts School at The Disney Institute and met and became connected with Johnson and Wales University. This launched her desire to attend that University and she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2001. Tragically, she passed away less than three weeks after her graduation. An award of $1,000 will be awarded annually. There is a $500 renewable scholarship for the second year. This scholarship is awarded annually to a Graduate from High School in Defiance County, age 25 years old or younger, and who intends to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts. Contact Chris Yoder at The Defiance Area Foundation at (419) 782-3130 or chris@defianceareafoundation.org for more information.
The Vetter Memorial Scholarship Fund:
The Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) established a scholarship fund in memory of Cletus Vetter. This $1,000 scholarship is meant to bring back into focus the vital necessity and passion for resource conservation by encouraging college-bound students to consider a career in conservation, natural resources, agriculture or a related field. Eligible applicants will be residents/students of Defiance County seeking a focus or career in conservation, natural resources, agriculture or a related field. The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student at a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or technical school. The scholarship will be payable directly to the college or university. Contact Teri Agler at the Defiance SWCD at tagler@defiance-county.com or Chris Yoder at chris@defianceareafoundation.org
