Available Scholarships

Harriet Hayes Austin Memorial Scholarship for Nursing - The family of Harriet Hayes Austin established this scholarship in 2003 to honor her memory and carry on her legacy of helping others. Students must be a Kansas resident attending a Kansas university currently studying nursing.

The BELL Scholarship was established in honor of Betty Louise Fast, Lila Hazel Hellman, Eliza Jane Yates & Lavinia R. Jackson for current college students who are pursuing degrees in mental health related professions. Students must have graduated from a Kansas high school and currently attend Washburn University or a Kansas Board of Regents university.

The Herb Fast & Ezra Fast Scholarship for Education was established in honor of brothers Herb Fast and Ezra Fast. Both men were teachers before pursuing other vocations, yet maintained their lifelong dedication to education. This scholarship is open to Black students who graduated from a Sedgwick County, Kansas high school, and are currently education majors attending Wichita State University.

The James and Catherine Lardner Scholarship has alternating year requirements, and is available to college students. For 2023, this scholarship is available to female college sophomores or juniors who are majoring in business. Students must have graduated from a Topeka area high school and/or currently be a Topeka resident.

Masoner/Concannon Scholarship was established based on the donors’ careers in education and a commitment to democracy, civics and law-related education. Students must have graduated from a Topeka/Shawnee county high school.

Topeka Alumnae Panhellenic Council Collegiate Scholarship - Available to female sophomore or junior college students who are members in good standing of a sorority in good standing with TAPC. Applicants must be attending an accredited Kansas college or university, and have graduated from a Shawnee County, Kansas high school.


Here are a few tips to help you stand out in any scholarship application:

  • Take the time to write essays. Often, scholarships that require students to submit an essay have fewer applicants, meaning your chances of being selected are higher. 

  • Avoid scams. Be wary of any site that charges a fee to search its database of scholarships or sign up. There are lots of free sites that have access to the same scholarships.

  • Avoid online writing services. Students who use paid services to write or edit their scholarship essays are less likely to be chosen because schools will notice a marked difference between their application and essay. These services also do not show the scholarship administrator a genuine version of who you are.

  • However, DO ask a friend or teacher to read your essay and application for any mistakes that you may have missed.

  • Talk to your guidance counselor about scholarships available through the school that you might qualify for.

  • Follow all instructions carefully and make sure you are submitting all the required parts (including letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.)

  • Stay organized and know the deadline for each scholarship you are applying for.