A LEGACY OF GIVING
Now more than ever, higher education is crucial to success in life. Yet, with rising tuition costs, many people don’t have the resources required to earn one. U.S. student loan borrowers owed a collective $1.67 trillion in federal and private student loan debt as of June 2020, according to the Federal Reserve. The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation Scholarship Programs recognizes student achievements and supports deserving students. Thanks to our family of donors, we have annual scholarships to provide funding to Tri-State Area students and working adults. Through our various scholarship programs, we award more than $250,000 in scholarships every year.
All Scholarships open every year on January 2nd. Students only to apply once to be considered for all Keokuk Area Community Foundation, North Lee Community Foundation and Matteson Scholarships.
SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In 2026, the Keouk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation received more than 350 scholarship applications from students in Lee, Hancock, and Clark Counties. The Foundations have committed to spending $300,000 on scholarships, but we want to INCREASE that amount with your help! Please consider donating to our Scholarship Fund to help our students pursue their dreams! 100% of your donation goes directly to our community students. You can change a life and fuel a dream with just one gift.
2026 SCHOLARSHIPS
Keokuk & Fort Madison High School Scholarships
Endowments at the Keokuk Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation support various Keokuk and Fort Madison High School Scholarships. Pay careful attention to deadlines and requirements as applications will be disqualified for not meeting all the requirements. Click below to view additional scholarships.
Matteson Scholarship
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation, North Lee Community Foundation and the Matteson Family established the Matteson Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors, as well as, continuing education students pursuing studies in agriculture, health/medical sciences, nursing, engineering, information technology or a trades.
To be eligible for the Matteson Scholarship, students and working adults must live in the Iowa Counties of Lee, Des Moines or Henry. the Matteson Scholarship also accepts scholarship applications from graduates of Wapello Senior High in Louisa County. The Matteson Scholarship is a renewable scholarship for 4 years. Each Matteson Scholarship is up to $2,000.00 a year for the first two years and then up to $4,000.00 for years three and four.
Previous LW Matteson Southeastern Community College Scholarship Recipients are not eligible for a Renewal Scholarship, but can apply as a 1st Time Applicant.
Scholarship Renewals
A renewal scholarship is a scholarship that can be renewed each year of a student's college career, meaning the recipient can continue to receive funding throughout their studies as long as they meet specific academic or other criteria set by the scholarship fund. Please be aware that your failure to submit the renewal application by the specified date will result in your ineligibility to be considered for this year’s and future scholarship renewal awards.
