WoodmenLife member Grace F. is pictured outdoors on a walkway alongside a body of water.

Young Member Shares Her Experience with WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship®

Nov 15, 202411/15/2024

Community

The application period for the WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship¹ is now open.

To mark the occasion, WoodmenLife caught up with a previous scholarship recipient to see how her college experience has been going, what she’s used the money for and what advice she has for members looking to apply for a scholarship.

Grace F.

Three years ago, Grace F. received the news that would shape her future: an offer to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with a Communications major and History minor.

Grace, a 2021 graduate of Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, CA, received a WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship that helped turn her dream of attending college into a reality.

“The scholarship has given me everything,” Grace said. “It fully allowed me to go to school and pursue my passions, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic.”

The scholarship covered a significant portion of her tuition, helping pay for more than a year of her education at UCSB. This financial support allowed Grace to participate in campus life and follow her passions without the added stress of working more hours at her part-time job.

Grace is a part of the Associated Students (AS) Program Board, a student-operated nonprofit organization that coordinates events for the UCSB community. Recently, she accepted the position of special events coordinator, planning the four biggest events of the year.

WoodmenLife member Grace F. poses for the picture. She is standing in front of an empty outdoors stage.
After graduation, Grace plans to pursue a career in event planning, potentially in music and talent booking, sports or TV production.

In addition, Grace participated in student government during her freshman and sophomore years. She helped advocate for a new position called Commissioner of Community and Climate, which focuses on creating bonding events and facilitating important conversations among students.

“Without the WoodmenLife scholarship, I would have had to be more dedicated to working instead of being part of student organizations,” Grace said. “Granting students scholarships and awarding them for what they’re proud of is something so wonderful to students, and it has made me value my education much more.”

Grace also writes for WORD Magazine, a culture and arts publication on campus.

Now in her senior year, Grace recently completed an internship at PURPLE PR, a public relations company. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in event planning, potentially in music and talent booking, sports or TV production.

Grace encourages other students to apply for a scholarship.

“This scholarship has allowed me to live a happy, healthy life and fully enjoy my college experience. It’s an incredible opportunity that can truly make a difference in a student’s life.”

WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship

Since its start in 2017, the WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship program has recognized more than 5,000 young members across the United States and awarded more than $3 million in scholarships.

Last year, WoodmenLife awarded 578 scholarships, ranging from $500 to $10,000.

Applications will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2025, at 3 p.m. Central Time. Members graduating from high school and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. The scholarships can be used for education-related expenses at accredited universities, colleges and trade schools.

Visit WoodmenLife.org/Scholarships for complete eligibility requirements and to apply.

1. WoodmenLife Extras are available to members. An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a product. These extras are not contractual, are subject to change and have specific eligibility requirements, such as length of membership, number of qualifying members in household and/or qualifying event.
Previous WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship^® recipients are not eligible.

Congratulations to Our 2024 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship^® Recipients

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