Click on the "Academics" button to view past scholarship recipients!
Hawley students planning to attend college after high school are fortunate to have the financial support of a large number of scholarships, considering the size of our community. Local scholarships are made available to the senior class each spring, typically sometime around mid-February. Scholarships are sponsored by local businesses, organizations, and families with a large number of them managed by the Hawley Scholarship Foundation, the local non-profit scholarship organization (formerly Hawley Dollars for Scholars).
Most of the local scholarships use a three-part application process including an online application form, a criteria questionnaire, and essays or other application materials for selected scholarships. All seniors receive information and directions on how to apply during a mandatory senior meeting during TEAM in February. (Information is emailed to all seniors as well.)
Some local scholarships use their own application, selection process, and deadlines such as the Friends of the Fine Arts and Booster Club scholarships. Seniors will be informed of scholarship opportunities through core classes, the high school's daily announcements, and postings on this site's "Scholarship List" page.
Refer to the Hawley Local Scholarship List and Policy document below for detailed information about how the process works for specific scholarships. All college-bound seniors are encouraged to apply for local scholarships - you cannot be considered for scholarships without applying!
The 2025 application window opened February 10 following the senior scholarship meeting that day during TEAM. The applicant deadline for all three parts was Tuesday, February 25 at 3:30pm. Appraisers should share their appraised application(s) with Mrs. Boeshans by noon on February 28.
Application Materials:
Part 1: Hawley Scholarship application form
Part 2: Hawley Scholarship criteria questionnaire
Part 3 (as eligible): Essays/Videos/Artwork for selected scholarships - Seniors are strongly encouraged to submit essays/videos/artwork for any scholarships they meet criteria for! Refer to this list for criteria and essay topics.
Application Resources:
2025 Hawley Scholarship Policy & List of Current Scholarships
Applicant Directions + Tips sheet
Flowchart of how the application process works
When Scholarship Recipients are Announced:
2025 Hawley Scholarship Foundation recipients will be announced at an invitation-only reception on May 4, 2025. A list of HSF recipients is posted on the HSF website as well as on the Hawley Scholarship Foundation facebook page. Other local scholarships will be awarded by at the FFA banquet, at the senior breakfast, and by the Hawley Booster Club in spring 2025.
Eligibility:
1. Student must enroll full-time in post-secondary education in the fall following graduation and be continuously enrolled in no fewer than 12 credits (or the equivalent) per semester (or maintain full-time status if attending a vocational training school) including the upcoming semester. Students who enroll in a short-term program or anticipate completing their program early are eligible for scholarships but are responsible for communicating their plans with the sponsoring organization (ex. HSF, Booster Club) in accordance with #4 in the Payment of Scholarships section of the Hawley Scholarship Policy & List posted above. Unless otherwise specified, scholarships may only be applied toward undergraduate studies.
2. “Post-secondary education” is defined as being a four-year college or university, a two-year community or technical college, or a vocational training school or program, that accepts federal financial aid or is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
3. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., military training obligations, medical emergency). Recipients wishing to request an exception to any of the eligibility requirements must submit a request in writing to the HHS school counselor by the claim deadline for the scholarship(s) for non-HSF scholarships. Hawley Scholarship Foundation exception requests should be made via the request form (available upon request by emailing lboeshans@hawley.k12.mn.us). Exception requests will be reviewed by the sponsoring organization with decisions communicated directly to the scholarship recipient.
How to Claim Scholarships:
Refer to information received at the time you were awarded your scholarship for specific details about when you're eligible to claim your scholarship (or reference the Hawley Scholarship Policy List above). Most are available to be claimed after completion of one semester of college and enrollment in the second semester (after January 1), however some cannot be claimed until later in your college career and some can be claimed prior to starting your first year of college. In order to receive your check(s) for local scholarships, you must provide your unofficial college transcript listing your name, all classes, grades, and credits (both what's been completed and what you're enrolled in for the current/upcoming term) to the Hawley High School office - these documents can be brought in person, sent via mail to HHS (or Hawley Scholarship Foundation for HSF checks), or submitted via e-mail to lboeshans@hawley.k12.mn.us If you’re unable to pick up your check in person, please provide the address where you’d like your check(s) mailed. Scholarship checks for American Crystal Sugar Company, Arvig, and Wild Rice Electric will be handled directly through those companies per information provided to those recipients.
Claim timelines and details:
Checks payable after completion of the fall semester:
• Will be available after January 1 and upon receiving the required academic records.
• Hawley Scholarship Foundation checks must be claimed by February 28 and must clear the bank by May 1.
Checks payable after completion of the spring semester or prior to starting the first year:
• Will be available upon receiving the required academic records.
• Hawley Scholarship Foundation checks must be claimed by October 31 and must clear the bank by December 1.
Failure to claim scholarship(s) by the deadline may result in forfeiture of the scholarship and the check being awarded to an alternate recipient, if one was selected.
Scholarship recipients who anticipate completing their degree/program before the specified payment date of their scholarship (with the exception of the HSF Funds Four-Year and Two-Year scholarships) and who wish to request to get their scholarship early should submit a request for an eligibility exception. (The HSF form is available upon request by emailing lboeshans@hawley.k12.mn.us) Exception requests will be reviewed by Hawley Scholarship Foundation or the sponsoring organization with decisions communicated directly to the scholarship recipient. Early award requests should be submitted by the start of the program (if less than a year-long program) or one year in advance if a multi-year program.
All Hawley Scholarship Foundation checks will be issued jointly. Jointly issued checks must be endorsed by the student at the college’s business/financial aid office and then turned over to the college for application to the student’s account. Other local scholarship checks may be issued to the student or the college directly.