Frank and Marion Weiland Memorial Scholarship

McCook Learn and Return Scholarship

The McCook Learn and Return Scholarship is a collaboration with the McCook Economic Development Corp. to encourage young people to get their education and then return to their hometown. The scholarship helps with tuition assistance with the promise of the recipient returning to McCook to work. Forgiveness of the scholarship is based upon the years worked in McCook.

The MCFF Scholarship Committee will award the scholarship, while MEDC will oversee the contract and possible repayment if the obligations are not met.

Funds for this scholarship have generously been provided by Pam and Greg Wolford and MCFF. But to further the reach of the scholarship, donations are accepted to increase funds available.

There is not a deadline for this scholarship. Rather, it is awarded on as-needed basis and if funds are available.

For more information about receiving the Learn and Return Scholarship or donating to the scholarship, please contact MCFF at mcffund@gmail.com.

McCook Community Foundation Fund awarded five scholarships this spring for the 2024-25 academic year, including the Bernard and Nelda Haag Scholarship and the Barbara Fassler-Neumann Nursing Scholarship.

The Haag Scholarship, worth $1,000, was given to Hunter Blume of Indianola, who graduated from Southwest High School and will attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in the fall.

The Haag Scholarship selection is based upon leadership and self-motivation through involvement in extracurricular activities in high school; a dedication to agriculture or rural living; and a desire to return to a rural area or Southwest Nebraska. 

The Barbara Fassler-Neumann Nursing Scholarship provided four scholarships for a total of $5,000. The scholarship may be awarded to recent high school graduates as well as those currently practicing medical professionals who have resided in the area for at least four years.

Two scholarships worth $2,000 each were awarded to Holli Thomas, a former MHS grad, and now a student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Addison Knoll, another former MHS grad now studying at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Two additional $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Allison Rippe, a former Southwest High School grad, who now attends Bryan College of Health Science and Candace Magnuson, a 2024 McCook High School graduate, who plans to attend Fort Hayes State University in the fall.

The Haag Scholarship has been given since 2006, while the Hassler-Neumann Scholarship is now in its eighth year. Both scholarships are distributed through the McCook Community Foundation Fund, an affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

In the spring of 2025, MCFF will be overseeing several new scholarships, with a wide-range of focus. The new Learn and Return Scholarship will focus on those who intend to return to McCook after their schooling. They will sign an agreement with the MEDC to stay in the community or they will have to pay back their scholarship funds.
MCFF is also working with family members of Frank Weiland, of Weiland Field fame, for a new scholarship with an emphasis on those going into education. And the Tiller family also recently gifted funds to MCFF to form another scholarship, which will be available in the spring of 2025. Look for more information in the upcoming months.