Students who excel in demonstrating leadership potential and improving their communities are being awarded Everence college scholarships this summer.

Everence is honoring 41 students with scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year. The scholarship program encourages young people to explore the integration of faith and finances while helping them on their educational journeys.

More than 220 students from across the country applied for scholarships – a benefit of being an Everence member – for the coming academic year. Recipients were chosen based on leadership, community activities and responses to an essay question. The number of students applying for scholarships increased by 38 percent from a year ago.

“Helping students continue their education is important to Everence,” said Kenda Mishler, Member Benefits Manager. “We recognize the effort it takes to invest their time and talents in their communities while balancing school and family obligations.”

The largest national scholarship – $2,000 – will go to Grant Flora of Modesto, California, a student at California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock, California.

Recipients of $1,000 national scholarships are Corrin Osborne of North Manchester, Indiana, who attends Goshen (Indiana) College; and Rachel Shenk of Waynesboro, Virginia, a student at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Thirty-eight other students are receiving $750 scholarships. Visit everence.com for a complete list of scholarship recipients and their photos.