Portage Central High School
PEF Scholarships
Applications for the 2025-2026 scholarships open Nov. 1.
Applications for the 2025-2026 scholarships open Nov. 1.
A $1500 scholarship created in honor of Dr. Kevin Hollenbeck, for his service on the Portage Public School Board. It is for a senior who plans to pursue a career in Education, Public Policy, or a related field such as Public Administration.
Lucille D. & Louis W. Boyer Scholarship Fund
This $2,500 scholarship fund was established by Lucille D. and Louis W. Boyer, to provide financial assistance to a graduating Portage senior. A Statement of Financial Need is required (see details below). This scholarship is awarded based in part on financial need. Seniors from any PPS school are welcome to apply via this form.
A $500 scholarship created in memory of Ken Draayer, owner of Dunshee Body and Frame, for a Portage Schools senior who plans to pursue an automotive career.
This $1500 scholarship was established by the Grainger Family. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to a Portage Central or Portage Northern graduating senior who is pursuing a bachelors degree. The Grainger Family Scholarship is intended to promote individual character growth and life experiences through continued education.
This scholarship is renewable for 3 years after the initial award. It was created in memory of Laura C. Dunlop, a 1996 graduate of Central High School. The scholarship honors Laura's compassion, love of sports and willingness to help people less fortunate than herself. This $2,000 renewable scholarship was established by Laura's family in her memory.
A $4000 scholarship established in memory of this longtime staff member of Information & Technology Systems at Portage Public Schools. The scholarship is for a graduating PCHS or PNHS senior who has participated in the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency's CTE program, with plans to pursue a technology-related field of study. The scholarship is awarded through the KRESA Education-for-Employment Outstanding Senior Awards Program, initiated by CTE teacher nomination.
A $500 scholarship created in memory of the long-time Central High School faculty member, coach, and mentor Dwight Hodgin.
This $4000 scholarship honors the memory of a long-time PCHS teacher, colleague, and friend. This scholarship was established by Pat's family and friends for a Central High School senior. Applicant should have excelled in social studies classes taken. .
This $1,000 scholarship was established by a Portage Central alumnus in honor of retired Portage Schools social studies teacher Sue Nelmes. This scholarship is for a female senior graduating from Portage Central High.
A $5,000 scholarship established in memory of Joyce Vliek by her husband Ted Vliek, Sr. and their family. Joyce retired from Portage Public Schools in 1986 from a career as a special education teacher's aide. Open to PCHS or PNHS seniors intending to pursue a degree in elementary education, with a preference toward special education.
This scholarship was established for the purpose of providing assistance to students who have graduated from a Portage Public Schools' high school. The award may be used to cover tuition, books, fees, room and board, and other expenses necessary for the student to pursue their education, including but not limited to daycare and commuting costs.