Scholarship Central
Scholarship Central Access Program began in 2001 at the Muskingum County Community Foundation (MCCF) as a brainchild of a local philanthropist and community leader by the name of J. William Straker, who was concerned about the large amount of available local scholarship money that was not being accessed by students who had legitimate need for the funds to support their college studies. Through the efforts of Mr. Straker and the executive director of MCCF David Mitzel, a decision was made that the community foundation would be a good home for a program to serve the public by providing information about available sources for financial aid. Through its decision to provide such service to the community, MCCF was being true to its mission and objectives, which emphasize the improvement of the quality of life in Muskingum County.
Scholarship Central soon became affiliated with the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN), and in October of 2002, Governor Robert Taft visited Zanesville to officially open the Scholarship Central Access Program. The program has quickly grown and the number of students served has drastically increased with the development of new programs and services. In its first year Scholarship Central served over 200 students and their families. In 2008 the program served well over 2,000 students and families. During the six-plus years of the development of Scholarship Central, it has evolved into a full-service college access program, which provides information and services pertaining to every aspect of the processes of planning and preparing for education beyond high school.
You can find more about what services Scholarship Central offers, what events have happened recently or will be happening, and how to make a donation to Scholarship Central.
GEAR UP
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for undergraduate programs) provides many services for students of Grover Cleveland and Zanesville High School. The services offered at Grover Cleveland focus on the after school program, which emphasize homework help, oat prep, and academic enrichment, to early college awareness and academic enrichment trips during the school day.
GEAR UP provides a number of services at Zanesville High School. A GEAR UP resource room is located in room 332 where students can go for academic or college access assistance. Students can get assistance in the resource room with their homework, and can also go there to take a test, work on a project, etc. GEAR UP also helps students to prepare for their OGT (Ohio Graduation Test), by working with them in workbooks and on websites geared to help students with these tests. Students can come to the resource room to get help preparing for the ACT (college entrance) test as well. GEAR UP provides each student at Zanesville High School with one ACT exam fee waiver. The GEAR UP program at Zanesville High School also helps students in every facet of the college-going process. This includes researching colleges and majors, going on college visits, filling out college applications, and finding and applying for scholarships and financial aid.
Every student at both Grover Cleveland and Zanesville High School is able to participate in the GEAR UP programs.
GEAR UP is expanding some services to Maysville High School and Philo High School, including providing a College Access Advisor and funding for ACT Test fees.
Be sure to check out upcoming GEAR UP activities and events on the Event Calendar.
Community Youth Foundation
The Muskingum County Community Youth Foundation (CYF) is a group of students from area high schools who are committed to improving the quality of life for other youth in the community. The Youth Foundation meets each month during the school year to plan community service projects, distribute grants and scholarships, and develop leadership skills.
More about the Youth Foundation
Confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.
