Welcome graduating class of 2026!
As you near the end of your academic journey at Centralia, there are many things to keep in mind prior to graduation. On this page, you will find education requirements, due dates, scholarships, and many other helpful items to ensure you are prepared to take the next step in your journey!
Scholarships
◆ This scholarship is open to any senior graduating from Centralia High School that will be attending a post-secondary school. The Dan Wells scholarship is looking at individuals that are active in the community and willing to help friends and family, but most importantly, not afraid to live life to its fullest.
◆ There will be one $1000 nonrenewable scholarship awarded.
Application and reference letter must be submitted in PDF format to Mrs. Bergman by April 12, 2026.
Scholarship Application | Blue Valley
Students must fill out the following form. Any scholarship application not completed in its entirety, with all required attachments will be disqualified.
One official high school transcript (a copy is acceptable)
One letter of recommendation from a non-family member. The letter can be from a teacher, coach, or sponsor at the student’s high school or someone from inside the community such as a neighbor, employer, clergy, etc. Student CANNOT be related to anyone writing a letter of recommendation.
A personal essay of the student is not to exceed two pages. Essay should be double spaced and typed using a standard 12-point font, such as Arial or Times New Roman. Essay should include the student’s background information, accomplishments, future plans, and how this scholarship will help them achieve their goals. This is the student’s opportunity to highlight what makes them stand out and share with the panel why they should be selected for the scholarship over the other applicants.
All applications must be completed on the form below and all attachments send to scholarship@bluevalleyinc.net.
Applications are due March 15, 2026
Scholarships - The Ellis Foundation Enter the username: TEF Enter the password: Ellis2026
The Ellis Foundation, in partnership with many generous donors, is pleased to offer multiple scholarship opportunities.
We primarily work directly with high school counselors to identify students who are capable, deserving and determined. We select students based on academic ability, financial need, specific degree objectives or unusual circumstances. Our program offers a “hand up” rather than a “hand out,” and we look for students who might be unable to access a college education without a little assistance.
Four Year Scholarships
We have several degree-specific scholarships for students in Kansas, and Missouri pursuing a four-year degree. Applicants need only apply once for consideration for one of The Ellis Foundation’s scholarships. While we accept applications from a variety of majors at participating colleges, students pursuing a degree in the following fields are strongly encouraged to apply:
STEM, Medical, Agriculture, Business, Education, Finance, Financial Planning, Marketing, Accounting, IT, Human Resources
Skilled Trades
Skilled Trades scholarships are also available for Kansas and Missouri residents, both traditional and non-traditional students, through the Rooted in Rural Vo-Tech Scholarship made possible by The Patterson Family Foundation. Additional information on this program can be found through the link.
Applications are due February 15, 2026
The Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) is dedicated to keeping Kansans informed about issues concerning their finances and promoting integrity and increasing transparency and fairness in the financial services industry. The OSBC is sponsoring this essay contest to award up to five scholarships to Kansas high school seniors who, through school courses, independent study, and personal experience, have gained an understanding of money management and can demonstrate that knowledge and the importance it will have in their future.
• The Senior must attend a Kansas trade school, technical school, college, or university. o Scholarships will be issued directly to your chosen institution. Not attending a Kansas school of higher learning will constitute forfeiture of the award.
• The Senior must have completed an age-appropriate Financial Literacy program that aligns with the Kansas Financial Literacy K-12 standards. (Ex: a student who receives a passing grade in a Financial Literacy class in 8th grade would be eligible to apply) Examples of Financial Literacy programs are included on the Financial Literacy Resources (ksde.org) list provided by the Kansas Department of Education.
• Semester-long Financial Literacy classes are acceptable (if a Senior is enrolled in a Financial Literacy class during the last semester of their senior year, and they are selected as a finalist, their Financial Literacy teacher will be contacted to verify the student’s curricular participation)
• If a certificate of completion is available for a completed Financial Literacy program, (ex: EVERFI), it must be included with essay submission. If not available, the student’s Financial Literacy teacher must verify curricular participation to confirm eligibility
Scholarship deadline is April 1, 2026. More information through this link 2026 Kansas Financial Scholars Essay Contest – Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner
◆ This scholarship is open to any senior graduating from Centralia High School that will be attending a community college or trade program. The Cole Robert Matson scholarship is looking at individuals that are active in the community and willing to help friends and family, but most importantly, not afraid to live life to its fullest.
◆ There will be one nonrenewable scholarship awarded.
Applications must be submitted to Mrs. Niehues by April 10, 2026.
One $500 scholarship for a High School senior who is planning to pursue an agricultural related program.
Applications must be signed, dated, and submitted to watershed@bluevalley.net by February 25, 2026.
Two scholarships available through the Caring Community Foundation for Centralia seniors:
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) Healthcare Scholarship - $1,000 for the pursuit of a healthcare career
Walter Byers Scholarship - $1,000 for all college programs of study
Applications must be submitted to vramage@ccfks.org by March 12, 2026.
Eligibility: This is a one-time $500 scholarship for one graduating senior of Centralia High School who will be pursuing post-secondary education.
Applications must be submitted to Mrs. Niehues by March 31, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
This scholarship is funded by the Kent, Janie, Lance and Tami Stowell and Scotty and
Stephani (Stowell) Rumbo families.
This scholarship is open to any senior graduating Centralia School who will be attending
a trade program, community college, or university.
Applications must be submitted by April 09, 2026.
Eligibility: Any Goff or Wetmore senior student who attended Wetmore High
School and would have graduated from Wetmore High School is eligible for this
$1,000 scholarship. The main criteria is citizenship.
Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026.
The O’Brate Foundation is committed to helping youth with limited resources succeed in reaching their educational goals and becoming positive contributors to society. We invest more than just money in our scholars by providing each of them a staff mentor to help work through the challenges of adjusting to college. In addition, we also provide our scholars with Financial Literacy programming and Personal &Professional Development opportunities and workshops. Our Traditional College Scholarships are based on financial need, renewable and range in size from $500 to $5,000 annually.
Eligibility Criteria
> Financial Need
> Age 17 to 25
> 2.5 GPA or higher
> Kansas High School Graduate or equivalent
> Full-Time Student pursuing, or planning to pursue, an undergraduate or graduate level certification and/or degree at an accredited technical school, community college, or college/university.
> Work Experience and Commitment to Work while in School
> Drive & Determination to Succeed
Applications must be submitted by May 01, 2026.
For Scholarship consideration, the applicant or applicant’s parent(s)/guardian(s) must currently bank with United Bank & Trust, have opened an account before January 1st , 2026, and be a graduating Senior at Centralia High School.
Scholarship Amount: One winner will be named and receive $500
Applications must be submitted to Mrs. Niehues by April 10, 2026.
STEP Foundation scholarship applications are now available online. You can access them directly using the link provided. Please encourage your students to apply early, the deadline is midnight on March 1, 2026. A quick reminder: applicants must reside in Nemaha County, Kansas.
Important: All application materials should be submitted in PDF format to ensure the scholarship committees can easily review and score the documents.
Additionally, the Droge Scholarship (available to current KSU students majoring in an agricultural field) has been moved from its previous summer cycle to align with the same application window as the STEP scholarship program.
The The Western Kansas Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute (API) is pleased to announce we will once again be awarding scholarships to qualifying graduating Seniors in May 2026. Each scholarship will be in the amount of $1,500 annually ($750 paid each semester) and may be renewed for up to four (4) years.
Please note this scholarship is eligible to students enrolling full-time in:
Undergraduate Degree Program at an accredited two-year or four-year College
Certified Program at a Trade/Vocational-Technical School
“Regular” Scholarship
1. Applicant’s parent(s) or guardian(s) &/or grandparent(s) must be employed in the oil or gas industry;
2. Applicant qualifies if a parent &/or grandparent was employed in the oil or gas industry but is now deceased;
3. Applicant must be a graduating senior of the class of 2026;
4. Applicant’s GPA must be 3.0 or higher;
“Industry” Scholarship “Oil & Gas Related Course of Study”
1. Applicant if awarded, must remain enrolled in an oil or gas-related major, such as engineering or geology, for up to a four (4) year term, or upon completion of the field-related degree or certification program;
2. Applicant must be a graduating senior of the class of 2026;
3. Applicant’s GPA must be 3.0 or higher;
Applications must be returned no later than March 31, 2026.
$750 scholarship towards enrollment at an accredited Kansas institution of post-secondary education for the fall semester of 2026.
1) Must be a graduating senior of an accredited Kansas high school.
2) This scholarship will be awarded by April 20, 2026
3) This scholarship in non-renewable.
Applications must be submitted by March 20, 2026.
The Kansas County Clerk and Election Official’s Association will again be awarding $500 scholarships to students who intend to attend a Kansas College or University and major in JOURNALISM, POLITICAL SCIENCE, BUSINESS ACCOUNTING, OR COMMUNICATIONS. The scholarship application and instructions are attached to this e-mail and are located on the KCCEOA website at https://www.kcceoa.org/ under Scholarships.
Applications must be submitted by April 3, 2026.
Ag Partners will offer five $1,000 scholarships to qualifying high school seniors who submit the completed form below by the stated deadline. Applicants will be notified by April 2026 once the scholarship committee has determined awardees. Scholarships will be mailed directly to the school that is being attended on behalf of each recipient.
Qualifications
Applicant must be a child or grandchild of a current Ag Partners member-owner or employee.
Be a high school senior, graduating in spring 2026.
Enrolled at a post-secondary institution immediately following high school graduation.
Demonstrate leadership abilities, academic performance and desire to further their education and career in an agricultural-related field.
Submit one photo suitable for the newspaper to be used upon selection as an awardee.
Complete the application below. https://www.agpartnerscoop.com/about/scholarship-program
Applications must be submitted by March 01, 2026
This year once again, the Pony Express Riders of Kansas are sponsoring a scholarship essay contest for seniors graduating from high schools in Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, and Doniphan Counties. Enclosed you will find the application and contest Rules. Please include these on your school scholarship list.
We will award scholarships as follows: 1-$1250, 1-$1000, and multiple $750 and $500 depending on the monies available.
Applications must be submitted to Mrs. Niehues by March 11, 2026
The scholarships are for seniors that will be attending college for agricultural or plant science field. Here is the link that will go directly to the scholarship page http://www.cwdak.org/scholarship/index.htm
Applications must be submitted by February 02, 2026
This year the Kansas Kiwanis Foundation will award 46 scholarships to Kansas High School and College students worth $41,550.00 to assist them with their education.
Scholarship Applications must be postmarked no later than Sunday, February 1, 2026. Consider mailing your application by Saturday, January 24, 2026. Applications are reviewed and recommendations are made to the Board in March. Recipients are notified following the Board decision. Monies are sent in August to the institution to which the applicant will be attending once the award requirements are met by the recipient.
Applications must be postmarked by February 01, 2026
Kansas DAR Scholarship 2025-2026
The Kansas DAR Scholarship ($2,000) is awarded to a high school senior - enrolled in an accredited high school - who is eligible or is already a member of DAR. They must be sponsored by a DAR Chapter. Three written references are required. The recipient must attend a two or four-year accredited college or university, the fall after receiving the Kansas DAR Scholarship.
Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2026.
KSDE-AEOP 2026 Margaret Van Horn Scholarship
The scholarship program is open to current Kansas High School, College, and/or Technical School students. Applicant must intend to continue his/her education in an education or business-related program. Applicant must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours (at least half-time). Enrollment must be in an accredited post-secondary educational facility within the state of Kansas.
Applications must be complete, signed, and submitted by email in pdf format or postmarked by Friday, January 9, 2026, to be accepted.
Deadline- 03/20/2026
Scholarship winners will be selected based upon the following criteria:
Commitment to a construction career path
Preference will be given to those choosing one of the preferred programs such as Highland
Preference may be given to those planning to work/live in a rural area
Leadership potential
Values that align with AHRS’s 4 Foundations for Success:
Honesty – Honorable in principles, intentions and actions
Dedication – Wholly committed to a task or goal
Quality – Excellence in work, craftsmanship and relationships
Achievement – Can do attitude. Begin with the end in mind.
Rudd Scholarship Opens October 01-December 01
Healthcare Leaders Scholarship Open- deadline is December 31
KLF Scholarships (KS Livestock Association for students pursuing an ag-related field) Open- deadline is April 7
Kansas Board of Regents Scholarships and Grants Not Yet Taking Applications for the 2006-2007 school year
Resource Links!
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