Friends of Graafschap Fire Dept. offering scholarship

High school seniors can apply by May 1 to be considered for $500 award.

Friends of the Graafschap Fire Department is offering a $500 scholarship to a high school graduate in the department’s coverage area.

The Friends of the Graafschap Fire Department is offering a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a high school senior residing in the Graafschap Fire Department coverage area.

This is the first time the group will award a scholarship.

The application deadline is May 1, 2026, with the recipient notified June 1.

Details

The recipient must be a high school senior who plans to graduate high school and be enrolled in further education that can include tech or trade school, college or university or other post-high school education.

Firefighters hope this scholarship may help someone on their way to being a firefighter.

The recipient must live in the Graafschap Fire Department response area that includes all Laketown Township and parts of Fillmore Township.

For a map of the coverage area, visit here.

The Graafschap Fire Department coverage area.

Applicants must write and submit a 500- to 750-word essay on these possible topics:

  • What do you plan to do to further your education?
  • How will you use the scholarship award? (Books, tuition, rooming, gas money etc.)
  • What was it like growing up in the area?

Submit essays to davegrumney@graafschapfire.org before the close of business on May 1.

Send any questions to Capt. Dave Grumney at davegrumney@graafschapfire.org or call (616) 396-4060 ext. 703.

About the group

Friends of the Graafschap Fire Department is a 501c non-profit that raises funds through the July Fourth pancake breakfast and from private donors.

Besides the scholarship, the group also disperses funds through Hungry for Christ, Toys for Tots, Shields of Hope, Great Lakes Children’s Burn Camp, Girls on the Run, Firefighter Cancer Support Network and Tunnels to Towers.