Scholarships
"Music can change the world because it can change people." - Bono
Bernie Kuehn was the founder and principal conductor of the Oregon Chorale from 1985 to 2015. When he retired, chorale members, patrons, and supporters wanted to honor him by creating an endowment fund. They raised funds and created the Bernie Kuehn Scholarship for Music Education, which awards scholarships annually. HCF manages this self-perpetuating Scholarship Fund, and the Oregon Chorale administers the scholarship selection process. Visit their website to learn more about this scholarship.
Bernie Kuehn Scholarship for Music Education
"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."
- South African President Nelson Mandela
The Black Advisory Business Council Scholarship Fund, initiated by Titonian Wallace Sr., empowers Black Hillsboro high school graduates to pursue higher education and vocational training. This scholarship program invests in individual students and is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and community growth.
This fund awards two $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro School District high school who: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0; Have been accepted to an accredited degree program at a nonprofit college, university, or vocational/trade school full-time within 6 months of graduating high school; Demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, community and extracurricular involvement, leadership, and character.
Black Advisory Business Council Scholarship Fund
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." - Vince Lombardi
The Jimmie Darr Scholarship Fund was established to honor graduating seniors of Hillsboro high schools to pursue higher education in any field of interest/course of study at either a nonprofit community college (associate degree) or 4-year college/university (Bachelor’s degree). Jimmie strongly believed that students should work and pursue higher education because they will better appreciate the value of their investment in themselves as they pursue their degree in higher education.
This fund awards eight $4,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro School District high school who: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0; Will be attending an accredited degree program at a nonprofit community college (associate’s degree) or university (bachelor’s degree); Demonstrate financial need; Demonstrate a paid work history that exemplifies the applicant’s willingness and ability to assume individual responsibility for achieving higher education goals. Preference will be given to students who are the first in their families to attend a college or university.
Jimmie Darr Scholarship Fund
"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."
- Mother Teresa
The Gordon Faber Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 to honor Mayor Faber’s service to the Hillsboro Community. As mayor from 1992 to 2001, Mr. Faber emphasized the importance of quality community development and pride. The scholarship supports a Hillsboro high school senior planning to enter the healthcare profession. The chosen candidate must also exemplify diligence, leadership, good citizenship, integrity, and kindness, the qualities Gordon Faber sought to model and encourage.
This fund awards one $2,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro School District high school who: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0; Are pursuing a degree in the healthcare profession; Demonstrate good citizenship, leadership, kindness, integrity, and diligence.
The scholarship will be paid after a successful completion of the first term or semester of college with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Gordon Faber Scholarship Fund
"Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death."
- Albert Einstein
The Robert & Brenda Herb Family Scholarship Fund was established for a Glencoe or Hillsboro High School Senior who has been accepted or anticipates being accepted into an accredited degree-offering program at a nonprofit College or University.
This fund awards one $1,500 scholarship to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro School District high school who: Have a minimum GPA of 3.5; Have been accepted to or anticipate being accepted to an accredited degree program at a nonprofit college or University, and attending full-time within 6 months of graduating high school; Demonstrate financial need; Can provide a history of paid work experience; Have evidence of community and extracurricular involvement; Demonstrate leadership and character.
Robert & Brenda Herb Family Scholarship Fund
"In the construction world, tools are important. But the greatest tool you have is your mind."
- Rebecca Barnessin
The LaGood Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 to encourage more young people to choose a trade as a career path. Jeff LaGood spent his years working in the construction industry and wants others to enjoy the same success. This scholarship program honors a student at each Hillsboro high school who plans to enter a trade profession within the construction industry.
This fund awards four $2,500 scholarship to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro School District high school who: Have a minimum GPA of 2.8; Are interested in pursuing a trade in the construction industry; Have been accepted, or plan to be accepted, into a nonprofit college, University, or vocational/trade school within 6 months of graduating from high school; Demonstrate financial need; Can provide a history of paid work experience.
LaGood Family Scholarship Fund
"Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves and be free."
- Cesar Chavez
Established upon the retirement of Deanna Palm, former CEO and President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Business Advisory Council Scholarship Fund empowers Latino Hillsboro high school graduates to pursue higher education and vocational training.
This fund awards two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro or Beaverton high school who: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0; Have been accepted to an accredited degree program at a nonprofit college, university, or vocational/trade school full-time within 6 months of graduating high school; Demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, community and extracurricular involvement, leadership, and character.
Latino Business Advisory Council Scholarship Fund
“The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.”
– Francis Bacon
The Richard B. Siegel Creative Futures Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Century, Glencoe, Hillsboro, and Liberty High Schools in Hillsboro, Oregon pursuing an arts or culture-related degree. One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded at each school.
This fund awards four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Hillsboro School District high schools who are pursuing an arts or culture-related degree and plan to attend an accredited nonprofit college or university for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in the arts within six months of graduation. Financial need is considered and there is no minimum GPA required.
Richard B. Siegel Creative Futures Scholarship
"Manufacturing means so much to me and my family, my dad, so we'd like to build a pathway for others to learn and grow with manufacturing and upskill their way to more successful futures for them and their family."
- Tony Varela, President, Meta Fab, Inc.
The Timothy J. Varela Memorial Manufacturing Scholarship Fund was created in the summer of 2025 with the hope that all manufacturers would recognize the benefits of attracting more manufacturing students and creating opportunities for a future workforce, in turn building a stronger industry and a stronger middle class. The goals of this scholarship fund are to keep Timothy J. Varela’s legacy alive, strengthen local manufacturing, and encourage young people to consider manufacturing as a career.
This fund awards one $1,000 scholarship and a summer internship for those who qualify by age at the time of engagement to graduating seniors from a Hillsboro or Beaverton high school who: Are interested in pursuing an associate degree in a manufacturing-related field; Have been accepted, or anticipate acceptance, into an accredited manufacturing associate degree program at Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland Community College, or Portland State University; Plan to enroll part-time or full-time within six months of graduation; Demonstrate financial need.
Timothy J. Varela Memorial Manufacturing Scholarship Fund
