The St. Charles Scholarship Program started in the year 2000. The goal at the time was to provide two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships to deserving Parish youth pursuing additional academic and vocational education after graduation from High School. Initially, the program was funded by special donations from individuals along with proceeds from the St. Patrick’s Day celebration put-on by the parish. In recent years, the Cinco de Mayo celebration has also contributed funds. During each of the first 13 years, only 2 - $1,000 scholarships could be funded. Five-hundred dollar scholarships were first awarded in 2013. In 2022, as a result of the special donation, the two $1,000 scholarships were increased to $5,000 and the $500 scholarships were increased to $1,500, then later to $2,500. Since then, the number and amounts of scholarships have been based on need, available funding, and quality of applications as determined by the judging team. The team evaluates them “blind” - with all identifying information redacted. Over the history of the program over $100,000 has been awarded to 75 students. The program was expanded to Our Lady of Snows graduates in 2023 and in 2024 the first scholarship was awarded to a graduate from Fairfield’s Immaculate Conception .
Recipients have gone on to receive Vocational Certificates as well as Associate, Bachelor and Masters Degrees. They include an international banker, a teacher of autistic children, an architect, a registered nurse, a marketer of building supplies, a neuro-rehab therapist, a speech and language pathologist, a business/sports manager, an accountant, a Human Relations Specialist, an Alumni Director, a Physical Therapist, and one of the current members of the Hailey City Council who is a teacher.
Each year, excess funds have been placed in an endowment along with any special donations to the program. The hope was, that one day, revenue from the endowment would fund the scholarships. In 2023 the endowment was placed in a special account with the Idaho Catholic Foundation. This allows the endowment to earn significantly larger returns as compared to the previous savings account rates.
Scholarship applications have generally been accepted in February or March and awarded later in the spring. Applications are available on the St. Charles Parish website once the application period opens.
Donations for scholarships are accepted anytime. They can be placed in an envelope marked “Scholarships” and either placed in the collection basket, or dropped off at the church office.
Questions can be directed to Paul Ries, Scholarship Program Chair at [email protected] or 208-720-6937.