The AEF has awarded a total of 75 college scholarships to graduating AISD Seniors in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In the spring of 2008, the AEF will award another 20 scholarships valued at $200,000 scholarships. These four year renewable scholarships have been made possible through generous grants from the Shelton Family Foundation. The combined value of these scholarships offered by the Abilene Education Foundation over the last four years is $800,000. The scholarships are designed to help graduating AISD seniors reach their full educational and career potential in the pursuit of post-secondary studies. These renewable scholarships facilitate attendance at a 4-year University( total value $8,000 per scholarship) or 2-year Junior/Community College (total value $2,000 per scholarship). Awards may be used at any four year university or two year junior college. Abilene's local colleges and universities- ACU, McMurry, Hardin Simmons and Cisco Junior College - have all generously offered to match these AEF scholarships for those students who decide to attend a local university or junior college. Scholarships may be used for direct costs including tuition, academic fees, books and/or college sponsored room and board. For more information on the 2008 scholarships, see AEF 2008 Scholarships.

The AEF has also established two separate endowed scholarship funds at the Community Foundation of Abilene (CFA) - the "AHS Alumni Scholarship Fund" and the "Cooper Alumni Scholarship fund". These funds, invested by the CFA and administered by the AEF, will collect contributions from individuals for the sole purpose of awarding scholarships each spring to graduating AISD high school seniors. We welcome contributions to these funds from alumni groups, class reunions and school supporters. Tax deductible contributions to these funds may be made out to the AEF (please note which school you wish to support) and mailed to:

Abilene Education Foundation
c/o AHS (or Cooper) Scholarship Fund
P.O.Box 1999
Abilene, TX 79604

If your scholarship contribution is made in honor or memory of an individual, please use the form located on the "How You Can Help" webpage.

AEF wishes to express a special word of thanks to the members of the Abilene High Class of 1958 for their vision and inspiration in helping the AEF start this important scholarship program. For inquiries about how other class reunion committees and representatives may join this effort and requests for materials to use at class events, please contact AEF Executive Director Jean McMillon at jean.mcmillon@abileneisd.org

For more information on establishing an individual scholarship memorial fund, please contact Nancy Jones at the Community Foundation of Abilene at cfa@abilene.com or call (325) 676-3883