Monroe County Education Foundation Scholarships: How to Apply

By Becky Crabtree

To be eligible for any of the nearly thirty Monroe County Education Foundation scholarships currently available, you have to let the awarding group know that you want one! For this year, an application should be submitted before Friday, February 13, 2026.

You must be a Monroe County resident, but age, gender, or current school status does not matter. You can be a high school senior, out of school, between jobs, or simply looking to improve your life with specialized training beyond your current education. All that matters is that you want to further your knowledge at your chosen institution: college, trade school, or by getting training in any career field.

The electronic application can be found on the MCEF's website at mcefwv.org. (If you leave off the "WV," you may end up at the Minecraft Chromium Embedded Framework or the Marine Corps Executive Forum, as I did.)

The website opens with a full-color photo of Moncove Lake in high summer. Scroll down, click SCHOLARSHIPS for more information, then click APPLICATION for the actual document.

The online application is relatively lengthy, 13 pages electronically, but some pages only have one question. It first asks if you are a Monroe County resident, then for contact information, if you plan to go to school outside the US, which school you want to attend (or are attending), It wants to know if you have family members in the military, your list of extra-curricular activities and work or community experiences, and test scores (if you've got them). There is a page with questions about FAFSA and other funding sources.

Then, the most crucial page is your personal essay. This is the way the scholarship committee gets to know the applicant. It should tell about your career and goals, your hobbies, and other interests. Your thoughts need to be presented logically, with correct spelling and grammar.

The application also requires two letters of reference, transcripts, and a photo. It seems like a lot, but it may be worth $1000 or more. Only one application is needed to apply for all the MCEF scholarships for which you are eligible.

No internet or electronic access? You can get a paper application in the counselor's office at James Monroe High School or by contacting Laura Rice, MCEF administrator at mcefwv@gmail.com or 304-646-2423. She can also answer any questions.

All successful recipients will be notified before the April presentation ceremony.

This is the third in a series of articles about the work and far-reaching impact of the Monroe County Education Foundation. More information about MCEF can be found at mcefwv.org.