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Brian Thiele Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, established by family and friends in memory of Brian Thiele, provides financial assistance to students who exhibit characteristics similar to those for which Brian is so fondly remembered. This includes playing varsity and/or club soccer, achievement of personal and academic goals, overcoming obstacles to meet his goals, competitive spirit, leadership and a special caring for community.
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At a Glance

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$2500
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One-Time Award

Non-Renewable

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All-in-One Application
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Deadline

March 1

Scholarship Details

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Eligible Enrollments: Full-time

Degrees/Programs: Associates degree (2-year), Bachelor’s degree (4-year), Vocational/trade certification

Student Types: Current undergrads, High school seniors

Additionally, students applying for this scholarship must:

  • Be a resident of Kalamazoo County or graduating from or graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Have four years of participation on a soccer team during high school.
  • Demonstrate competitive spirit, leadership, and a desire to give back to others.

    • KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. You can find your school’s COA online or by asking your financial aid office.

    Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution. We will send one check for the full academic year and ask them to split it evenly between fall and spring semesters. If you’d like it to be applied/split differently, you can make a request on your acceptance form after being awarded.

    This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

    More About This Scholarship Fund

    Brian Arthur Thiele was born September 16, 1971 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was finishing a degree in Logistics Management at Western Michigan University when, at the age of 22, his life was cut short as a result of an in-line skating accident while interning in Isny, Germany. Brian, a 1990 graduate of Portage Northern High School, spent four years on the varsity soccer team. Although he loved to play the game, he found just as much as, if not more, excitement and pleasure on the sideline coaching. Thiele was the head junior varsity coach at Northern for a year, assistant varsity coach at Northern and coached several under-16 Premier TKO FC teams.

    Get started with this scholarship—it’s easy!

    Apply Online

    Starting December 1, students can apply for any and all of our all-in-one scholarships and education grants via the all-in-one online application. Submissions are due by March 1 every year.*

    Wait for Notification

    Applicants may be contacted for missing information or documents, otherwise from April-June, KZCF Scholarships staff will reach out to selected scholarship recipients as committees make final award decisions.

    Payment Sent — Hit the Books!

    By mid-July-August, scholarship payments are sent directly to institutions on the awarded students’ behalf.


    • This application window is now closed.

    *This excludes a select few scholarships which have unique applications, timelines and criteria. These special scholarships include the Women’s Education Coalition Grant, the George Disborough Trout Unlimited Research Grant and the Jim Cristy Swimming Scholarship.

    Scholarship questions? Brooke has answers.

    To submit your completed application, learn more about scholarships, or get help with your application, email Brooke Travis via the contact form or call 269.585.7268.

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