February 5, 2026/
Lopez scholarship winner changes plans but keeps scholarship Originally published in The Islands’ Weekly on January 21, 2025 1:30 am...
Scholarships, Mentoring, and Community Support for Lopez, Decatur, and Center Island graduates.
Students Supported
1 to 1 Mentors
Years of Service
For students growing up on Lopez, Decatur, and Center Islands, accessing post-secondary education or training can feel out of reach. Geographic isolation, limited resources, and high costs create real barriers.
The Lopez Island Community Scholarship Foundation bridges that gap. We provide financial scholarships, one-on-one mentorship, and ongoing community support to help island youth pursue their dreams—whether in college, vocational training, or the arts.
Our mission is to invest in student success by offering continuing scholarships (from one to five years, depending on the program), pairing each student with a dedicated community mentor, and fostering lasting connections between students, the organization, and the island community.
Lopez Island Community Scholarship Foundation (LICSF) began with a simple belief: every young person on our islands deserves a real chance to pursue education beyond high school. For families living in small, remote communities, the cost and complexity of college or vocational training can feel overwhelming.
That’s why, in 2017 a group of local residents came together to do something about it.
They envisioned a foundation that didn’t just award scholarships, but also offered mentorship, guidance, and long-term support. Today, that vision continues. It is still community-driven, still personal, and it’s still rooted in the belief that when one student thrives, our whole island does too.
We’re not a national foundation. We’re neighbors supporting neighbors.
Scholarships are multi-year, following students throughout their education.
Every scholarship is powered by local families, donors, and volunteers who believe in our youth.
Behind every scholarship is a student with a story. These reflections offer a glimpse into how community support, mentorship, and opportunity shape real lives and what it means to be believed in.
“Receiving this scholarship gave me the freedom to rethink my path without losing support. I originally planned to start at a four-year university, but after a gap year of service and reflection I realized a different route felt right for me at the time. LICSF didn’t withdraw their belief in me, they continued the scholarship and mentorship as I adjusted my goals. That trust helped me stay confident in pursuing my goals.”
No, the Lopez Island Education Foundation (LIEF) is organized to financially supplement under-funded Lopez Island School programs that are integral to children’s education. Our organization provides financial scholarships to help students with their post-secondary education.
LICSF is guided by a volunteer board of community members committed to educational access, mentorship, and long-term student success. Together, they help ensure this work remains thoughtful, transparent, and rooted in island values.
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