The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation

Services

The Orris C. Hirtzel and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation

The Orris C. Hirtzel and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation is a charitable trust and private foundation that offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships and grants. The Foundation offers undergraduate scholarships and medical scholarships for students pursuing advanced degrees and professional medical licensing. Grant money is available for 501(c)3 institutions and organizations that support and encourage scientific and medical research as well as equipment necessary for that research. Community grants are available for 501(c)3 organizations and municipalities that serve the “Primary Resident Area.” The Foundation’s distributions in each calendar year is comprised of approximately twenty-five percent scholarship, fifty-five percent health care, research and equipment grants, and twenty percent community grants.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Each year The Foundation grants fifteen scholarships to high school seniors to defray college and university costs and are available to students from the “Primary Resident Area” who are enrolled as full time students in an accredited institution. Undergraduate scholarships are continued for a total of eight semesters (4 year program) or a total of four semesters (2 year program) contingent upon satisfactory performance that is evaluated every semester. Each installment of the award is $2,500.00 per semester.

High School Nursing Scholarship

One undergraduate scholarship is awarded each year to a North East High School senior planning to major in a Bachelor of Science Nursing program. This scholarship is subject to the same criteria as the undergraduate scholarships indicated in the undergraduate scholarship description. Each installment of the award is $2,500.00 per semester.

The recipient must remain in the approved nursing program for each of the eight semesters; otherwise, the scholarship award will be terminated.

In the event that there are no qualified applicants from North East High School, consideration will be extended to the “Primary Resident Area.”

Medical Scholarships

Two medical scholarships for full time students possessing a bachelor’s degree and acceptance at an accredited medical school or graduate program to pursue studies culminating in a licensed profession as a Physician, Dentist, Pharmacist, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist, or other health care related fields are available for graduates of a “Primary Resident Area” high school. This award is based on the applicant’s residency upon graduation from high school as opposed to actual residence at the time of application. Each installment of the award is $3,500.00 per semester for a maximum of eight semesters.

LECOM Scholarship

One unique scholarship is awarded to one student enrolled at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, hereafter known as LECOM. LECOM medical students are eligible to apply for this scholarship at the end of the first year of study. The recipient’s funds will be applied on a semester basis for each semester in years two, three, and four contingent upon satisfactory performance that is evaluated every semester. Each installment of the award is $3,500.00 per semester and payable for a maximum of six semesters. The award is based on achievement and the applicant’s residency upon graduation from high school as opposed to actual residence at the time of application.

Medical Grants

Grants are considered for qualified 501(c)3 institutions and organizations to aid in the provision of health care services and the encouragement of medical research. Such potential grants include: the purchase of equipment for undergraduate science education in Northwestern Pennsylvania and in adjacent counties in New York and Ohio; scientific and medical research conducted at colleges, universities, hospitals, and similar facilities in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Western New York, and Northern Ohio; the support of emergency medical care including volunteer fire companies in the immediate area; outreach health care programs including home health agencies and geriatric facilities in Pennsylvania, Western New York, and Northern Ohio; and the support of undergraduate science education at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, Western New York, and Northern Ohio.

Community Grants

Community grants are available for projects in support of public parks, libraries, social and public services, enhancement of local government and public school districts, historical preservation, private colleges and universities, and volunteer fire companies.

No grants are made to support sectarian religious activities, political activities or any other activity barred by the Trust Agreement or applicable law.

Scholarship Application Process

Applications for undergraduate scholarships are available for residents of the “Primary Resident Area.”  Undergraduate scholarship applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and evaluated on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement.  Scholarship award decisions will be mailed four to six weeks after the application due date.

All undergraduate scholarship applications must include:

  • A complete Foundation application form available at the guidance office of the high schools in the “Primary Resident Area” or by contacting The Foundation office.
  • A current FAFSA summary form.
  • The parents’/guardians’ 1040 Federal Income Tax form clearly evidencing Adjusted Gross Income for the tax year indicated on the application.
  • The applicant’s 1040 Federal Income Tax form clearly evidencing Adjusted Gross Income, if applicable.
  • The letter of acceptance from the college or university that the student plans to attend.
  • The financial aid package from said institution.

Applications for medical scholarships are available for graduate students who graduated from high school in the “Primary Resident Area.”  Medical applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and evaluated on the basis of financial need and undergraduate academic achievement.

All medical scholarship applications must include:

  • A complete Foundation application form available by contacting The Foundation office.
  • The letter of acceptance to the graduate program the student plans to attend.
  • A letter of recommendation attesting to applicant’s character and academic promise. 
  • A copy of the applicant’s valid driver’s license.
  • The applicant’s 1040 Federal Income Tax form clearly evidencing Adjusted Gross Income for the tax year indicated on the application.

Applications for LECOM scholarships are available for LECOM students who are completing the first year of study at LECOM.  The “Primary Resident Area” stipulation is applicable to this award and is based on applicant’s residency upon graduation from high school.

LECOM scholarship applications must include:

  • A complete Foundation application form available at LECOM or by contacting The Foundation office.
  • A letter of recommendation from a LECOM faculty member attesting to applicant’s academic promise. 
  • A copy of applicant’s driver’s license.
  • The applicant’s 1040 Federal Income Tax form clearly evidencing Adjusted Gross Income for the tax year indicated on the application.

Scholarship Reapplication Process 

To continue receiving award installments, all scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.  At the end of each semester, recipients are required to complete a reapplication process that includes submitting a complete reapplication form and a printed copy of the recipient’s semester grades.  The Foundation will send a reapplication form to each scholarship recipient approximately five to six weeks prior to submission deadline.

All scholarship reapplications must include:

  • A complete reapplication form sent to each recipient from The Foundation.
  • A printed copy of the recipient’s grade report from the just completed semester.
  • A grade report that clearly evidences student name, institution, semester date, semester and cumulative GPA.

All reapplication forms and grade reports must be returned to The Foundation by the due date to ensure issuance of the following semester award installment.

Medical and Community Grant Application Process

Medical Grants

Medical grant applicants must be a qualified IRS 501(c)3 institution or organization.  The requested award must aid in the provision of health care services and the encouragement of medical or science research.

  • Grant applicants are encouraged to submit an initial letter outlining the scope and need of funding for a specific project. Letters are to be addressed to The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation.
  • If there is Trustee interest to pursue the request, The Foundation will forward a formal application to the grant applicant.
  • Upon completion of the formal Foundation application, the grant applicant should send the application and any supporting documents to The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation.
  • Grant applicants will receive written notification of the Trustee’s decision following the Trustee meeting which is usually scheduled for early spring.

Community Grants

Community grant applicants must be a qualified IRS 501(c)3 institution or organization in the “Primary Resident Area.”

  • The request must be in support of public parks, libraries, social and public services, enhancement of local government and public school districts, historical preservation, private colleges and universities, and volunteer fire departments.
  • Grant applicants are encouraged to send an initial letter outlining the scope and need of funding for a specific project. Letters are to be addressed to The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation.
  • If there is Trustee interest to pursue the request, The Foundation will forward a formal application.
  • Upon completion of the formal application, the grant applicant should send application and any supporting documents to The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation.
  • Grant applicants will receive written notification of the Trustee’s decision following the Trustee meeting scheduled for early spring.

The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation may be contacted by phone at 814-725-3135 or by email us via our contact form.  To email, click here.  All scholarship and grant application forms and supporting documents are to be mailed via USPS to The Hirtzel Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 49, North East, Pennsylvania  16428.