Scholarships – Defiance Area Foundation

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

Women’s Giving Circle Scholarship Fund

The Women’s Giving Circle Scholarship Fund was established to provide an opportunity for personal growth for a female in Defiance County to further her education. This scholarship will be a minimum of $1,000 and made payable directly to the college or university of her choice. Preference will be given to qualified students who have the greatest financial need. This scholarship may be renewable for eligible applicants.

Eligible Applicants / Qualified Persons:

• Applicant must have graduated from a Defiance County High School or been a resident of Defiance County for two or more years
• Will attend either The Defiance College or Northwest State Community College
• Will be a non-traditional student age 20 or older
• First preference will be given to a student taking a minimum of six credit hours per semester
• Any Major is eligible

Contact Chris Yoder at The Defiance Area Foundation at (419) 782-3130 or chris@defianceareafoundation.org for more information.

Cody Rahe Scholarship Fund

Cody Rahe was a man that often put the needs of others before his own. This is how he became a Varsity Assistant Softball Coach at Fremont Ross High School. His wife, Megan, needed help and he volunteered. Cody gave 100% of himself to support his wife and support the athletes in the softball program in a positive fashion. Megan has established this fund to provide a financial opportunity to softball athletes that exhibit this attitude of selflessness/giving and plan to continue their education and/or training beyond high school. Scholarship amounts will vary based on fund availability and will be made payable directly to the college, university, institution or school of their choice. Preference will be given to qualified students who have the greatest financial need.

Eligible Applicants / Qualified Persons:

• Will graduate from Fremont Ross High School
• Are members of the Fremont Ross High School Softball Program
• Have exhibited leadership qualities and an attitude that places a priority on the success of others.
• Intend to graduate/complete a secondary program beyond High School

Click Here: 2021 Application
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, 2021. 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 Chris Yoder at The Defiance Area Foundation at (419) 782-3130 or chris@defianceareafoundation.org for more information.

Virginia Lenhart Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Virginia Vaughn Lenhart Scholarship is a $1000 award to be given to a graduating senior of Defiance High School who strives for academic excellence and is poised to make a positive impact in their future.

A beloved educator and lifelong Defiance resident, Virginia Vaughn Lenhart (DHS Class of ‘39) believed dearly in the power and the gift of education. She was proud to receive her college degree in Education from Bowling Green State University and used it to assist others as a teacher and tutor throughout her lifetime. She believed in academic excellence, for which this scholarship is to be awarded.

Selection for this scholarship will be made by The Defiance Area Foundation Scholarship Committee (based on the criteria listed below).

The recipient will generally rank at or near the top of their class (top 20%), pursue the most rigorous course load available, and demonstrate kindness and leadership ability. The recipient is committed to enroll in a four-year college in the fall immediately following high school completion. The award is intended to be used only for tuition and/or required fees, books, or required academic supplies.

This scholarship is open to all applicants who meet the GPA requirements, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual identity, citizenship status, or any other background factors. We are looking for passionate young leaders with a commitment to lifelong scholarship and helping others. Financial need should be a consideration when selecting between equally meritorious candidates.

This $1,000 scholarship will be made payable directly to the college or university.

Eligible Applicants / Qualified Persons:

• Defiance High School graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all four years of High School
• Will graduate near the top 20% (or 10%) of their senior class
• Intend to graduate from College with a Bachelor’s Degree
• Have demonstrated above criteria

• Financial Aid Award Letter
• College fee sheet

Contact Chris Yoder at The Defiance Area Foundation at (419) 782-3130 or chris@defianceareafoundation.org for more information.