Fairview High School Scholarships

Take a look at the scholarships available through the Defiance Area Foundation and reach out to us if you have any questions. All applications are due March 31st unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions, please email dani@defianceareafoundation.org or call us at (419) 782-3130.

  • Bonnie Burgbacher Trade School Scholarship Fund Bonnie Burgbacher has a heart for education and helping children succeed.  She graduated from Fairview High School and attended Northwest State Community College.  She began her career at Spangler Candy Co. in 1963 and held various positions at the company in the Sales Department, retiring in 2020 with 57 years of service.  She has had many influences on her career, including her wonderful parents who instilled a strong work ethic. Bonnie established this trade-school scholarship in 2024 to encourage students who may have a special interest in a specific trade to follow their passions.  This will be a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually.
    • Eligible Applicants:
      • Will graduate from Central Local Schools
      • Must have achieved at least a 3.0 average in High School
      • Must be attending a vocational or technical school (two-year college) learning a specific trade (electrical, cosmetology, dental hygienist, etc.)
    • Preference will be given to students who have the greatest financial need. The scholarship recipient will be selected annually by the Defiance Area Foundation Scholarship Committee. The student will apply on the designated portal through Central Local Schools.
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • Cletus Vetter Memorial Scholarship Fund This scholarship is given in loving memory of Cletus Vetter, a man who leaves a legacy of love and respect to not only his family but to the many people he selflessly gave himself to. He was a lifelong farmer who loved to nurture the soil and watch his crops grow. Great soil and water conservationists are not developed through academics alone, rather they are nurtured throughout their education and career building by conservation advocates who have traveled on before them. This college 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. The Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will award one $1,000 college scholarship to a resident/student of Defiance County.
    • Eligible Applicants:
      • Residents/students of Defiance County seeking a focus or career in conservation, natural resources, agricultural, or a related field.
      • Must be enrolled as a full-time student at a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or technical school.
      • APPLY NOW

 

  • 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 at marketing@defiancechamber.com.
    • Applications should be received no later than March 31 to the Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 400 Clinton St., Defiance, OH 43512.
    • Applications can be mailed or submitted in person to the Chamber Office or may be emailed to marketing@defiancechamber.com. 
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • The Defiance College Scholarship Fund The Defiance College Scholarship Fund was established by several community members and organizations to provide financial assistance for Defiance County high school seniors. This $1,000 non-renewable scholarship will be made payable directly to The Defiance College. Preference will be given to students that are not on an athletic scholarship.
    • Eligible Applicants:
      • Will graduate from a Defiance County High School (or equivalent)
      • Must have achieved at least a B average in High School (GPA 3+)
      • Intend to graduate from College with a Bachelor’s Degree
    • The scholarship is non-refundable. This means that if a student is already receiving aid that would cover all tuition and fees, we would reduce other institutional aid rather than refund the scholarship. It may, however, be used for books, room, or board.
    • Applications should be mailed to The Defiance Area Foundation, 613 West Third St., Defiance, OH. 43512. Applications will be accepted with a postmark no later than March 31.
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • 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:
      • Have graduated from a public high school or obtained their G.E.D.
      • Are a child or dependent of a DMP employee
      • 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 at jmohr@defiancemetal.com.

 

  • Election Ambassadors Scholarship Fund Rod and Tonya Wichman established this fund to reach voters at an early age and educate them on their opportunities. The goal is to encourage more juniors and seniors to work at the polls, get involved in the election process, and provide a better understanding of election systems. The applicant will work with the board of elections during the next upcoming Primary Election by helping with set up, being a poll worker or helping election night with returns as well as assist in student voter registration with an already engaged teacher at their high school. The ambassador will also assist the Board of Elections in recruiting student poll workers.
    • Eligible Applicants:
      • Junior or Senior from a Public High School in Defiance County
      • Must be in good standing at their high school
      • Intend to graduate from College with a Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, or from a Vocational or Trade School
    • Applications should be mailed to Tonya Wichman at 1690 Woodhurst Dr. Defiance OH. 43512. Applications will be accepted with a postmark no later than March 31.
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • Erica J. Strausbaugh Scholarship Fund The Strausbaugh Family established a scholarship fund in 2018 in 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.
    • Eligible Applicants:
      • Graduate from High School in Defiance County or Four County Vocational School
      • Age 25 years old or younger
      • Intends to graduate with a Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or Hospitality.
    • Send the completed application to: Defiance Area Foundation, 613 West Third St., Defiance, OH. 43512. Applications will be accepted with a postmark no later than March 31. Applications can also be emailed to dani@defianceareafoundation.org by the deadline.
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • Fairview Football Scholarship Fund This fund was established by a group of Fairview Alumni athletic supporters. This non-renewable scholarship is awarded annually, amount varies, 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.
    • Eligible applicants:
      • Senior varsity football player
      • Accepted to College
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • Fairview Schools Fund The Fairview Schools Fund offers scholarships annually to a senior(s) who will be graduating from Fairview High School. 
    • Eligible applicants will be reviewed for GPA, essay, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service.
    • Can be awarded up to $1,000.
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • Goller Family Scholarship Fund Generations of Goller family members, including siblings Betty Goller Zelent and Dalton Goller, lived in, farmed in, went to school and church in, raised families in, taught in and were married in Ney, Ohio. New generations of their descendants from all corners of the United States have come together to establish this fund to honor their legacy of hard work, community service, family, faith and commitment to education. Our hope is that the beneficiaries of this scholarship will, like our ancestors, use the transformative opportunity of higher education to build lives of meaning and purpose, whether in Defiance County or around our nation and world.

    This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to one Defiance County resident, is non-renewable, and will be paid directly to the college or university.

    • Eligible Applicants:
      • Graduating this year from any public high school in Defiance County (or has graduated within the past four years)
      • Acceptance and intent to study at an accredited four-year college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree or technical/community college program to obtain an Associate’s degree or licensed professional credential
      • Evidence of academic achievement, either through GPA of 3.0 or above or a letter from your guidance counselor affirming your perseverance and academic engagement if cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0
      • Evidence of strong work ethic and strength of character, such as engagement and leadership in community service and/or faith-based activities; employment after-school and in the summer; employment or work in family business or farm.
    • 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 March 31. Applications can also be emailed to dani@defianceareafoundation.org by the deadline. 
    • APPLY NOW  

 

  • 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. 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.
    • Eligible Applicants:
      • 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 or bachelor’s degree.
    • Completed applications should be mailed to Defiance Area Foundation, 613 West Third Street, Defiance, OH. 43512 will be accepted with a postmark no later than March 31 or emailed to dani@defianceareafoundation.org before the due date. 
    • APPLY NOW

 

  • 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:
      • 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 female 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
    • 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 March 31. Applications can also be emailed to dani@defianceareafoundation.org by the deadline. 
    • APPLY NOW