The 2006 Scholarship Campaign for the Grayson County College Foundation is currently underway, and has already raised more than $90,000 in gifts and pledges toward the campaign goal of $160,000.         

This year's campaign theme is "We'll ALL Be Winners" and, according to GCC Director of Annual Giving Tina Dodson, "We're really excited to witness the continuing generosity of scholarship donors." The annual scholarship campaign runs throughout the month of February. 

This year's campaign has an added twist that will put more dollars into deserving students' hands. The Winners for Life Foundation of Dallas has offered to match each gift, dollar for dollar up to $26,000, for each undesignated scholarship contribution during the campaign. Dodson added, "With the special one for one matching gift challenge, scholarship donors are being extremely generous at the prospect of doubling their investment in higher education and in the students in our communities." The undesignated funds received before the March 15 cut-off date will be eligible for the matching gift funds. "When gifts are doubled, no matter what the amount, the total adds up quickly," said Dodson. The matching gift campaign could make $52,000 available to GCC students next year.           

Co-chairs for this year's campaign are Lola Sanford of Van Alstyne, Charles Schweizer of Sherman and Martha Lattimore of Denison. Sanford is serving as the Co-Chair for southern Grayson County, assisted by Linda Wood, Paula Benton and Nelda Partin. The new South Campus in Van Alstyne has brought an air of excitement to all of southern Grayson and northern Collin Counties, said Dodson, and campaign volunteers "are filled with enthusiasm and anticipation that they will receive full support from area residents, businesses and organizations."        

A kick-off reception for campaign volunteers in the Van Alstyne area was held in the Sanford home, and a kick-off for Sherman-Denison area volunteers was held in the Lattimore home. Nearly 40 guests attended each of the late January events. "It's always heartwarming to meet residents who come out to show their support of the College and of GCC students at these events," said Dodson. Schweizer and Lattimore, heading up the campaign for the Sherman-Denison area, are equally enthusiastic, and invite all area residents to participate in this very worthwhile opportunity.            

The Winners For Life Foundation, established by former Green Bay Packer Donny Anderson and Dallas philanthropist Linkie Seltzer Cohn, is especially interested in encouraging teenagers from Grayson County who might otherwise not have an opportunity to attend college, to succeed in life by setting goals and continuing their education. The WFL Foundation has teamed up with the GCC Foundation and has agreed to match up to $26,000 in undesignated scholarship contributions, which will provide scholarship awards of up to $2,000 per qualified applicant to attend GCC for the 2006-2007 academic year.           

Although only undesignated scholarship contributions are eligible for the 1:1 Winners for Life match, the list of available scholarships continues to grow. Donors may also contribute to any currently existing or newly named scholarship fund of their choice.  Dodson reminds interested donors that scholarship contributions in any amount are very much appreciated, and will either be pooled with other contributions and awarded from the general scholarship fund, or with a minimum contribution of $250 a donor may name a scholarship in memory or in honor of an individual, a family or company name. Donors may either fund their scholarship on an annual basis, or establish a permanently endowed fund through the GCC Foundation, which will then be invested and will generate annual student scholarship awards from the interest earned on the endowment.  Donors of named scholarships may target their award to a specific academic or technical program and set limited additional criteria, if they so desire.         

To make an investment or pledge, contact a campaign volunteer, or any GCC Foundation Board Member:  David Bayless, Jr., Millard Brent, Ronnie Cole, Mary Knox, Jim Mehaffey, Warren Jamieson, Martha Lattimore, Tim McGraw, Ben McKinney, Susie Munson, Lola Sanford, Charles Schweizer, Steve Voelzke or Linda Wood. For more information, you may also contact the GCC Foundation Office at 903- 463-8716, or by e-mail at dodsont@grayson.edu. The GCC Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation.  Contributions to the GCC Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.           

GCC will begin awarding scholarships soon after the March 15 priority application deadline. To qualify for a Winners for Life Scholarship, applicants must be a resident of Grayson County, and under 20 years of age. Other scholarships are available for any GCC student, regardless of residency, age, ethnicity, color or creed. Scholarship applicants must meet the admission requirements of the College and submit a scholarship application to the GCC Office of Financial Aid.         

The basic criteria established by the GCC Foundation Scholarship Committee is as follows:  recipients should hold a minimum GPA of 2.5, plan to enroll as full-time students at GCC each fall and spring semester, and should not have exceeded 65 hours in college credits. The GCC Foundation Scholarship Committee will review applications submitted by the March 15 priority deadline, and recipients will be notified of their award by mail. Before award funds will transmit, recipients must complete their financial aid file at GCC, (by completing the FAFSA process to determine eligibility for Pell grants), and must be enrolled as a full-time student, unless otherwise specified by the level of the award and/or donor-specified criteria, each fall and spring semester. Award funds will be applied to the recipient's account in the GCC Business Office and split 50:50 (fall/spring semester), and will be available to GCC students for payment toward tuition, fees, textbooks and necessary classroom supplies purchased through the GCC Campus Bookstore. Award funds must be used during the award semester, and fall semester grades and completed credit hours will be reviewed to determine eligibility for the spring semester award.         

Students planning to attend GCC this fall who wish to apply for scholarship assistance for the 2006-2007 academic year should complete and submit the GCC General Scholarship Application. The application is available on the College's website at http://www.grayson.edu/ or by contacting the GCC Office of Financial Aid at 903-463-3908 or local high school counselors. Scholarship applications should be submitted to the GCC Office of Financial Aid. Applicants are reminded to type or print clearly, and to include all of the attachments requested on the scholarship application. Although all applications will be considered, the deadline for priority consideration is March 15.           

The College's Counseling and Enrollment staff is available to assist prospective students with the application procedure. To speak with a GCC Counselor, contact Counseling Services at 903-463-8695.