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Specialty Scholarship Application

The following application is for the scholarships listed below.

Filing of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required for all academic scholarships and most Foundation scholarships. If you are ineligible for a FAFSA, please contact our office.

We strongly recommend that every family submit a FAFSA each year, even if you do not feel you will qualify for federal or state grant assistance.

Please complete all parts of this form at this time! Incomplete forms will not be available to recall and complete later.

To view the deadline for each scholarship, please select it and then review the Scholarship Requirements section.

* denotes a required field

*I am applying for the academic year:

*Select a scholarship (choose all that apply):

Dorothy Walters

Grabbe-Utley

Oscar Dunn

Polk-Decker

Brian D. Holscher

Heaps of Jeeps

Scholarship Requirements

Oscar L. Dunn Memorial Scholarship

Due by February 25th, 2026

OSCAR L. DUNN, a long-time, dedicated teacher, educator and humanitarian, who taught mathematics and music to generations of Lincoln High School students in Vincennes, Indiana and who also taught at Vincennes University; a man who for many years directed the Lincoln High School marching band, concert band and orchestra; a man who unselfishly dedicated his time, talents and energy to the education of youth and the enhancement of their lives.

Criteria:

Vincennes Lincoln High School
2.5 GPA
6 semesters of Mathematics Courses required OR
6 semesters of Band Activities required

Dorothy M. Walters Scholarship

Due by February 25th, 2026

Ms. Dorothy M. Walters retired from a forty-eight year career as an educator. She was a member of the Vincennes University class of 1936 and continued her preparation for her career at Indiana University. She established the Dorothy M. Walters Foundation in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Its purpose is to encourage and assist outstanding individuals entering a career in education. The assets of the foundation were then transferred to the VU Foundation to support this scholarship.

Criteria:

Vincennes University Education major
A Total SAT Score of 1150 or above or a 23 or above on the ACT examination
High School GPA of 3.3 and be in the top 20% of graduating class
High School Transcript
Letter of recommendation from a high school principal or guidance director
Letter of recommendation from an additional member of the student's school faculty or administration
Letter of recommendation from a third person not employed by the student's school.
Essay as to "Why do you want to be in Education?"

Polk-Decker Scholarship

Due by February 25, 2026

Helen Polk-Decker, was born on February 22, 1899 in Knox County. She attended Vincennes University, Indiana State University and University of Wisconsin. She taught a variety of subjects including English, Spanish, and Physical Education. She also coached cheerleaders and sponsored the booster club and athletic associates. She retired from teaching after forty years. Education was always a priority to her and she left a legacy to see that others would get a chance to fulfill their dreams of higher education. She gave her good fortune back to the community and felt a scholarship fund was the best way to do so. The endowment for the Helen Polk-Decker Memorial Scholarship was established at the Vincennes University Foundation. This scholarship is also in memory of Helen’s sister, Aline Polk, and their aunt, Mary Polk.

Criteria:

Graduate of North Knox High School, South Knox High School, Vincennes Lincoln High School or Vincennes Rivet High School
Student must have and maintain a 2.0 GPA
High School Transcript
Letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or administrator, testifying to your character, community involvement and your commitment to your education
Letter of recommendation from a community citizen other than an employee of the school system
List of all parents, grandparents and their current addresses

Grabbe-Utley Scholarship

Due by February 25th, 2026

Kathryn Utley-Grabbe was raised in Bicknell, Indiana after moving from Arkansas. She moved to Vincennes in 1927. Carl Grabbe was from Freelandville, Indiana. They were married in 1955. Mrs. Grabbe’s father operated Wabash Parts, Inc. in Vincennes for many years. Mr. Grabbe joined the company in 1956. Carl and Kathryn Grabbe operated the business until 1989, when it was sold to their nephew and wife. Kathryn died in 1990 and Carl in 1997. They understood that education is the key to a higher quality of life for individuals and for the community as a whole. They desired to give their good fortune back to the community that supported their business and felt that a scholarship was the best way to do so. Thus, they endowed the Grabbe-Utley Scholarships at the Vincennes University Foundation.

Criteria:

Graduate of North Knox High School, South Knox High School, or Vincennes Lincoln High School
Student must have a 3.0 GPA in high school and maintain a 2.8 GPA while in college
High School Transcript
Letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or administrator, testifying to your character, community involvement and your commitment to your education
Letter of recommendation from a community citizen other than an employee of the school system
List of all parents, grandparents and their current addresses.

Brian D. Holscher Memorial Scholarship

Due by February 25th, 2026

Criteria:

Recipients will be full-time, degree-seeking students at Vincennes University.
Recipients majoring in a business program may receive additional consideration.
Recipients shall be a graduate from one of the four Knox County high schools.
Recipients must have earned a letter in at least one varsity sport during their high school career. Participation in student organizations and extra-curricular activities are preferred.
Recipients with at least a 2.5 grade point average may be considered as a guideline. The open-end grade point average is given so as not to exclude students who have experienced limited academic success in high school but show the potential for future achievement in the opinion of the selection committee.
Particular attention shall be given to those students who may not qualify for financial aid, yet family circumstance dictate additional financial help is needed. However, the financial need is not the predominate factor for consideration.

Heaps of Jeeps, Inc. Scholarship

Due by February 25th, 2026

Criteria:

Recipients shall be residents of Knox County, Indiana, or Lawrence County, Illinois.
Recipients will be graduating high school seniors entering VU in the subsequent Fall term.
Recipients shall be a student enrolled at Vincennes University in majors defined as “first responder” careers as defined by The Donor.
Recipients shall be full time students.
Recipients may be pursuing a certificate or degree.
Applicants will be asked to submit a written response through a special application about serving their community and their pursuit of a career in public service.
Recipients must maintain the standard level of academic progress as defined by Vincennes University.

Please submit requested letters, transcripts, lists and essays to us by email to vuscholarships@vinu.edu
or fax (812) 888-5942 or by mail

Vincennes University Foundation
1002 N. First Street (DC-38)
Vincennes IN 47591

*Email Address

*First Name

Middle Name

*Last Name

Suffix

*Birthdate

Age - hidden

*Phone number

*Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

High School Name
Note: Start typing the name of the high school and select the school from the list. Do not only type the name of the school.

High School Code
Note: This field can only be populated by typing the high school name above and selecting the school from the list. You may not type directly into this textbox.

School Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

High School Principal

Guidance Counselor/Director

*High School GPA

*High School Class Rank

*High School Class Size

Year of high school graduation

List Academic Honors

School Extra-Curricular Activities
(List Activities and Indicate the years participated)

List Extra-Curricular Honors and the year earned

Non-School Activities
(List Activities Outside of school, church, civic, social, etc. And Special Recognitions received)

List Work Experience

SAT Score: Verbal
Enter only numbers

SAT Score: Math
Enter only numbers

SAT Score: Critical Thinking
Enter only numbers

ACT Composite Score
Enter only numbers

College/Vocational Attended

College/Vocational Degree Earned

Intended/Current Major at VU

Parent/Guardian Information (if under 18)

Father's First Name

Father's Last Name

Father's Employer

Father's Length of Employment in years
Enter whole numbers only. no letters, and no commas

Mother's First Name

Mother's Last Name

Mother's Employer

Mother's Length of Employment in years
Enter whole numbers only. no letters, and no commas

Parents' Marital Status

List Siblings and Ages

Total number of household members who will be attending post-secondary institutions during the 2022-2023 academic year

Career & Education Goals

Intended First Responder Field of Study?:

Fire Safety

Law Enforcement

Conservation Law

Emergency Medical Services/Technician

Other

If other, what is it?

Are you planning to enroll as a full-time student at Vincennes University for the Fall semester?

Yes

Unsure

Do you currently plan to pursue a first responder career in Knox County, IN, or Lawrence County, IL?

Yes

Unsure

Would you be willing to attend the Heaps of Jeeps Festival in June for acknowledgement as the scholarship recipient? (Not Required for Eligibility)

Yes

Unsure

Essay Question

Why do you want to pursue a career as a first responder, and how will this scholarship help you achieve your goals? (No specific word count required, but please be thorough.)

Letters of Recommendation

Please include two letters of reference from teachers, coaches, employers, or community leaders who can speak to your character, academic ability, and commitment to a first responder career path.

Please Upload Letter #1 Here:

Or, type or copy-and-paste your document here:

Please Upload Letter #2 Here:

Is Letter of Recommendation Attached

Yes

** If NO, please either submit here or attach it in an email to the VU Scholarship Office at vuscholarships@vinu.edu**

*Select the following you wish to provide (select at least 1):

6 semesters of Mathematics Courses

6 semesters of Band Activities

Mathematics Course Completed (At least six semesters required)
Enter the course name taken in the given high school class level. Enter N/A if no class was taken.
i.e. "Algebra I", "Algebra II"

*Freshman Year

*Sophomore Year

*Junior Year

*Senior Year

Band Activities

*Instrument(s) played

*Name of band(s) (Jazz, Pep, Concert, Etc.)

*Select each year of high school you participated in band:

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

*Band awards (Name of award and year received)

*Other band activities

*Essay as to "Why do you want to be in Education?"

*250 word essay addressing the topic "My Career Goals" including schooling plans

*Please submit a 250 word (max) essay describing why you chose a career in the field of Technology. Include if there are people in your life who influenced this decision and in what way they had an impact.

Personal Circumstances
Describe how and when any unusual family or personal circumstances, including financial hardships have affected your achievement in school, work experience, or your participation in school activities.

Are there people in your life that have influenced your decision to have a career in Technology? In what ways?

Education & Career Statement
Make your statement of your plans as they relate to your educational and career objectives.

List here your other scholarship applications

*I wish to receive full consideration for all University and Foundation Scholarships offered by Vincennes University. Therefore, I agree to have my student information which includes FAFSA and academic records reviewed for University scholarships.

Yes

*Signature

*Father's Signature

*Mother's Signature

*Parent/Guardian Signature
Required for applicants under the age of 18

Vincennes logo

812-888-VUVU800-742-9198

1002 North First Street Vincennes, Indiana 47591

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