Scholarships Overview

Student Scholarships Administered by the Foundation

All scholarships the Foundation administers are inclusive in all aspects and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. The recipients will be recognized at the EGRPS Senior Honors Assembly each spring.

Please click on the name of each Scholarship for additional information.

• The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation Scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship awarded to a high school senior who shows commitment to education and community and has strong aspirations and goals for the future.
• The Charles B. "Chip" Ridenour Jr. Memorial Scholarship is a student scholarship that funds $1,500 for post-secondary educational costs. This scholarship is awarded to a student who exemplifies the character traits for which Chip B. Ridenour Jr. is most remembered: caring, nurturing, and regard for the dignity of an individual.
• The Reid VanGelderen Memorial Fund & Scholarship was established in 2009 in memory of Reid, who died in August 2008 after a valiant battle with cancer.  This $1,500 scholarship is given annually to an East Grand Rapids student who has overcome adversity while showing similar characteristics to Reid—courage and perseverance. The Pediatric Oncology Resource Team also receives $1,000 from the Reid VanGelderen Memorial Fund.
• The Matt F. Fouch Scholarship of Character is a scholarship that funds $1,000 for post-secondary educational costs. It honors the character of longtime teacher and coach Matt Fouch by celebrating those who are a “good guy to all and do the right thing when no one is watching,” and are committed to kindness and others in their school and community.
• The GPJC Scholarship in Memory of Peter Coroneos is a $1,000 scholarship that celebrates Peter Coroneos and his interest in and care for other people.  Peter was a dynamic personality in all aspects.  He cared for people deeply and cast a wide net of friendships around the world. Peter was a gatherer of friends with a genuine interest in the well-being of others. The scholarship will annually honor and celebrate an East Grand Rapids senior who embodies these same characteristics. 
• The Murphy Ainsworth Scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship awarded for post-secondary educational opportunities to a high school student who exhibits many of the qualities or attributes that Murphy Ainsworth, '89 is remembered: involved in athletics, a good neighbor and friend, working to grow as an individual, persevering in challenging times, and observant, patient and kind. Preference is given to students who plan to attend Butler University or Grand Rapids Community College.
• The Parker Spindle Genuine Heart Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to one or more graduating seniors who exhibit many of the following qualities or attributes: a genuine heart and great compassion, a passion for school spirit and community spirit, a strong impact on others (but maybe not a strong presence), a student (but maybe academics aren’t their main focus), a team player and always a team cheerleader, and a supporter of many from old to young and friend to family.
• The Peter G. Ruppert Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded annually to one or more graduating seniors who choose to explore the armed forces or an arm of military education options. The recipients should also exhibit many of the qualities that were so important to Pete: embodies a vision to think big, sets goals, lives life to the fullest and is “in the game” and fully committed to whatever they might pursue.