SANDPOINT — Thousands of dollars worth of local scholarships will soon be awarded to Bonner County high school seniors.

Organizations and businesses across the county are offering contributions toward the next generation's future, with many opportunities open to homeschooled students, private school students and public school students. 

“There are over 70 scholarships up for grabs with a diverse range of requirements,” Lake Pend Oreille School District officials said. “Some scholarships are need-based, while others reward academic excellence.”

Seniors can decide which scholarships they want to apply for based on a variety of factors, including where they attended elementary school, special interests, or intended career pathway. One scholarship is even specifically designed for those with a GPA below 3.4. 

"Every year I have students come back and tell me how unique and special our scholarship program is,” Angie Dail, Sandpoint High’s college and career advisor, said. “There are so few high schools across the country that have an opportunity like our scholarship program.” 

A majority of the scholarships can be applied for with the same base scholarship application, so students can complete the application once and apply for multiple scholarships at the same time, LPOSD officials said.  

“The process has become so much more streamlined with so many of the groups agreeing to use a common base application,” Jeralyn Mire, SHS’s post-secondary transition counselor, said. “It truly is so much easier for students to apply for local scholarships than it was seven years ago.” 

Applications are due at the SHS Counseling Center no later than 9 a.m. April 10, LPOSD officials said. If a student is homeschooled, many organizations will accept the scholarship application by mail — it just needs to be received by the same deadline. The SHS counseling team recommends students get the applications in before spring break, which is April 1-5 for LPOSD students. 

“Scholarship awards night is one of my favorite nights of the year because it makes me so proud to call Sandpoint my home,” said Mire. “I am just awestruck with what a wonderful and giving community we live in.”

The full list of scholarships available can be found on Sandpoint High School’s website under the “Counseling Center” tab. 

Info: sh.lposd.org/counseling-center/senior-scholarships/local-scholarships