Drowning in student loans is a large stressor occupying the minds of many seniors heading to college. Tuition, textbooks and housing are some items on the list of things students will have to worry about. Luckily, local scholarships are accessible to seniors this month to lighten the load.

Guidance counselor Aaron Ebke organizes the scholarships by contacting local residents and businesses to see if they want to offer a scholarship. He started to call and email people that have previously given scholarships before winter break.

“Lawrence High School has local scholarships that are offered by people in the area,” Ebke said. “Students have… until February 22nd to fill out applications and get everything turned into us here in the office so that we can make sure the people in the community that give us the scholarships then can look through the applications to pick who they want as the winner.”

The office has mentioned the scholarships on morning announcements as well as sent emails to seniors and parents to notify them about the scholarships. Students can access the qualifications and instructions to apply on the LHS website, Ebke said.

“Ms. Bradfield and I… put that all on the internet on our school website so that students can download the descriptions and see if they qualify for the scholarships,” Ebke said.

Individuals usually offer scholarships, along with businesses like Truity Credit Union and Crown Automotive, Ebke said. The average amount of money offered depends on which scholarship a senior applies for.

“Scholarships range,” Ebke said. “There’s a huge variation from about $200 to $4,000-5,000. Most of them fit between about $500 and $1,000.”

Students should mention their extracurricular activities in their applications, as well as good grades and a solid plan for their future, Ebke said.

“It’s important to have something that you have done in the past in school and out of school,” Ebke said. “Obviously you need to have good grades and you need to have a plan for what you’re gonna do in the future. If I’m gonna give you money, I’m gonna want to know that it’s gonna be well spent.”

Seniors who want to apply for these local scholarships can submit applications through the office. The deadline to apply for locally-offered scholarships through the school is on Monday, Feb. 22.