"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  

-Margaret Mead, U.S. Anthropolgist

 

In the spring of 1996, Stewart & Nina Coulson, counselors in the Charles City Iowa Community School District took the above quote seriously. After witnessing the rapidly rising costs of college tuition, the Coulsons, along with several community members, formed the Charles City Area Dollars for Scholars program.  Our organization, a locally supported, nonprofit, tax-deductible scholarship foundation operated by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, helps alleviate some of the financial burden of post-secondary education.

Charles City Area Dollars for Scholars is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization run by community volunteers. We are affiliated with Scholarship America, the nation's largest private sector scholarship and education support system organization. 

In 2008, our local chapter was awarded the coveted National Golden Tassel Award, which every year is presented to an established DFS program who exhibited outstanding service to their communities. 

Since the program's inception, our local chapter has awarded $638,750 to nearly1,215 graduates of  the Charles City Community High School  the Carrie Lane Alternative High School Program and home schooled students.   We are so thankful for our supporters, who enable us to continue to succeed in our chapter's purpose of expanding access to educational opportunities and encouraging educational achievement.

With the high cost of post-secondary education and increasing reliance on loans, local scholarship programs play a critical role in assuring that students have access to educational programs and choices that best meet their needs. Our Dollars for Scholars volunteers believe that higher education is our best investment and want to assist motivated and deserving individuals in achieving their goals.