Applications for the Marguerite Ritzinger Scholarship of the Diocese of Davenport are being accepted now through Feb. 1. Any Catholic individual who plans to attend a college or university next fall may apply for a $1,000 scholarship.
The award is named for the late Marguerite Ritzinger, a Sigourney native, who left $388,770 to the diocese to help with scholarships for seminarians and students to attend colleges or universities.
The diocese launched an annual scholarship program in late 2009. Char Maaske, diocesan chief financial officer, said the committee that awards the scholarships received 215 applications in 2010 and awarded 19 scholarships. In 2011, 152 applications were received and 21 scholarships were awarded. Fewer applications may have been received last year because the deadline had moved up from April to Feb. 1.
“I am so impressed going through the quality of students who apply for the scholarships,” Maaske said. “They are so involved in their church and communities, have good grades, are active in sports and organizations like 4-H, and many also work.” She said it’s difficult for the committee of eight to choose from among the excellent applications. Non-traditional students may apply for the scholarships as well, Maaske noted.
Applications must include an essay, copy of a high school or college transcript and two reference letters all sent together. Application forms are available at the diocesan website at www.davenportdiocese.org. Click on chancery, then finance, then library and then M. Ritzinger scholarship application.
