Whitefish Scholarship Ceremony

Scholarship Mentor Program – We Are Looking for More Volunteers!

In 2024, the Whitefish Education Foundation launched a pilot program, training volunteer mentors to assist local seniors in researching, organizing, and completing scholarship applications. Post-graduation plans ranged from traditional 4- and 2-year institutions to trade and vocational programs. We offered weekly sessions for students to sign up to meet 1:1 with a mentor at the high school to discuss their scholarship plans. As a result of our program, 42 unique students won scholarships!

We are on track to significantly increase that number for the Class of 2026, and our mentors had already met with 40 students by Christmas 2025! Help us meet this goal by volunteering to be a mentor and attending our next training session (details below).

FAQs

What does the Scholarship Mentor role entail?

Being passionate about listening and connecting with students, along with a willingness to learn our preferred online search tools, is all you need to be an impactful volunteer! Our mentors typically work 1:1 with students to learn more about their post-graduation plans, extracurricular activities, and personal situations, then identify scholarship opportunities that are the best fit.

Most students are simply looking for help organizing their approach and understanding available resources. At times, mentors may also provide additional support, such as reviewing application materials or conducting specialized 1:1 scholarship searches.

Mentors meet at the high school (upstairs pod) on Friday mornings from 9:30–10:50 a.m. Mentors are asked to bring a laptop or tablet (if they have one) for online searches.

Who do we help?

Under the guidance of Whitefish High School counselors, we assist senior students who attend both the main and independent high schools.

When is the next training session?

Location: Whitefish High School Cafeteria
Date & Time: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
What to Bring: Laptop or tablet (if you have one) and something to take notes
RSVP: foundation@whitefishschools.org

At this training, you will:

  • Meet members of the WEF scholarship team and WHS staff, learn more about the program, and hear how rewarding it has been for current volunteers

  • Get an introduction to the online resources we use and have time to navigate them yourself

  • Tour the pod space where mentors meet with seniors on Friday mornings

  • Ask questions and connect with other like-minded volunteers

I can’t volunteer during school hours. How else can I help?

In addition to mentors meeting students on campus, we also need volunteers who can help from home by researching new and existing scholarship opportunities and conducting outreach within the Whitefish community to identify new scholarships. Time commitment is flexible, and pre-approved materials and training are provided.

I am an existing volunteer mentor. Where is the link to sign up?

If you are a trained Scholarship Mentor, sign up here to meet with students.

If you would like to volunteer for our Scholarship Mentor Program or would like more information, please email us at foundation@whitefishschools.org.