Kennedy High School is proud to be a Seidler Foundation school. The Seidler family is dedicated to public education and to the Cedar Rapids community. Evelyn Seidler, the inspiration behind the foundation, was an English teacher at Jefferson High School in the 1970’s. The scholarship program is an outgrowth of Evelyn’s love for education and the promise and talent she saw in her students.
Eligible students in the Class of 2026, for the first time ever, will have the opportunity to experience the incredible generosity of the Seidler family in the form of scholarships and other considerable post-secondary support for their education journey.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Must be a current senior in the graduating class of 2026.
- Must enroll at Kirkwood Community College (any field).
- Must have UNWEIGHTED cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Must have a SAI (Student Aid Index) on the FAFSA of $12,000 or less.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFICIARIES WILL RECEIVE
- A $5,500 scholarship awarded each year for up to two years of post-secondary education at Kirkwood Community College.
- Awardees who complete an associate’s degree within two years may be eligible for an additional $11,000 each year for two years towards a bachelor’s degree at any 4-year institution of the student’s choice.
- Awardees will be provided with a free laptop to support their academic pursuit.
- Additional post-secondary support through a Pathways Navigator/Academic Advisor at Kirkwood Community College to work directly and exclusively with Seidler Foundation scholarship awardees.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS TO MAINTAIN SCHOLARSHIP
- Complete at least 12 college credits per semester.
- Maintain a cumulative 2.0 college GPA.
- Be responsive to Foundation communication requests.
APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS – March 1, 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE – April 15, 2026