Valparaiso University Partners with Peoples Bank to Provide Scholarship for Local Students

Valparaiso University has partnered with Peoples Bank, one of Northwest Indiana’s most reputable banks, to establish the Peoples Bank Scholarship. From meeting banking needs to engaging in a wide array of community outreach activities, Peoples Bank has served the people of Northwest Indiana for more than 100 years.

The Peoples Bank Scholarship grants financial assistance to Valparaiso University students with financial need who are residents of Lake or Porter counties in Indiana. Luke Wasowicz, an incoming freshman from Highland, Indiana, has been selected as the first “Peoples Bank Scholar.” An exploratory major, Wasowicz will receive an annual award of $5,000, providing financial support for four consecutive college years; eligible expenses include tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, and books.

“Higher education plays an essential role in helping Northwest Indiana grow and thrive. Rising costs have put higher education out of reach for many deserving students who, with the right resources, would otherwise make greater contributions to the local community,” said Benjamin Bochnowski, president and chief executive officer of Peoples Bank. “We are proud to partner with such a strong local university to help make that a reality for deserving students. With a rich history of educating many of the individuals that have made Northwest Indiana into the great place it is today, Valparaiso University is a welcome partner for this new scholarship.”

Valparaiso University and Peoples Bank have a long-established, shared commitment to preparing our Region’s young women and men to lead and serve where needed in their local communities.

In funding this scholarship, Peoples Bank recognizes that the strength and success of our Region requires the education and retention of a talented, skilled workforce. Need-based scholarships bring an outstanding education within reach, enabling students of promise to attend the University who might otherwise not have the means to do so.

“I appreciate the generosity of Peoples Bank and am thankful they recognize the need for such a scholarship to assist our local students,” said Karen Klimczyk, director of Financial Aid at Valparaiso University. “Their investment creates opportunity for our students, and I look forward to our continued partnership.”

Valparaiso University is committed to making an extraordinary education possible. More than $100 million in financial assistance is awarded to undergraduate students annually at Valpo. And, Valpo is consistently placed among the top universities in the nation for value, ranking No.1 best value in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.

The Peoples Bank annual $5,000 commitment supports Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, a $250 million campaign focused on raising permanent support for student scholarships, faculty development and programs that prepare students for lives of leadership and service. The Campaign was officially launched on Sept. 23, 2016, and has raised more than $168 million.

Visit the Financial Aid office or call 219.464.5015 for additional scholarship information at Valparaiso University.