LEXINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

LEAP ASSISTANCE - FUNDS USED FROM THE LEXINGTON EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ARE DESIGNATED TO A LEAP CRISIS FUND THAT OFFERS FINANCIAL AND/OR IN-KIND SERVICES TO LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE PERMANENT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, PERMANENT PART-TIME EMPLOYEES (NOT TO INCLUDE SUBSTITUTES), AND LEXINGTON ONE STUDENTS TO ASSIST THEM DURING A CRISIS SUCH AS A SERIOUS ILLNESS, NATURAL DISASTER OR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THE CRISIS MUST HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE LAST 90 DAYS. SERVICES APPROVED AND PAID FOR THROUGH THESE RESTRICTED FUNDS COULD INCLUDE MEDICAL BILLS, UTILITIES, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER EXPENSES ON THE APPROVED LIST. LEAP PAYS FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE PLACE OF BUSINESS (I.E., DIRECTLY TO THE HOSPITAL FOR COVERING A PATIENT'S MEDICAL BILLS) OR MAKES AWARDS IN THE FORM OF GIFT CARDS (I.E., GROCERIES) AND WILL NOT AWARD CASH DIRECTLY TO AN APPROVED INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENT. FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, LEAP FUNDS EXCLUDE ANY PAYMENTS FOR HOUSING INSURANCE, VEHICLE PURCHASES/VEHICLE INSURANCE, AND SECURITY DEPOSITS. ALSO, WORKER'S COMPENSATION RECIPIENTS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, LEAP PROVIDED NEED-BASED INTERNATIONAL TEACHER GRANTS.

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS EACH HAVE SEPARATE APPLICATIONS AND CRITERIA, BUT ALL FUND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE RECIPIENTS THAT MAY COVER HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSES LIKE TUITION, ROOM, BOARD, OR BOOKS. CHECKS ARE WRITTEN TO STUDENT'S CHOICE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND TO THE STUDENT, SO THAT THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION MUST CREDIT THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD TO THE STUDENT'S COLLEGE EXPENSES. SCHOLARSHIPS OF $16,500 WERE AWARDED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT GRANTS ARE AWARDED ANNUALLY TO LEXINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE POVERTY-STRICKEN SENIORS WHO ARE PURSUING COLLEGE AND NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF TYPICAL COLLEGE EXPENSES FOR THEIR DORM ROOMS AND/OR TUITION. STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION, INCLUDING DETAILS OF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION, AND BE SELECTED BY A GRANT COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE A GRANT THAT CAN PURCHASE ITEMS LIKE SHEET SETS, COMFORTER, TOWELS, PILLOW, DESK LAMP, LAPTOP, AND OTHER NEEDED ITEMS TO HELP ENSURE SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE PURSUITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. TWENTY-FOUR RECIPIENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT GRANTS OF $1,000 MAX, TOTALING $18,000, WERE AWARDED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.