(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Two-hundred-sixteen students were afforded full-ride scholarships to Indiana colleges in 2010 by the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program.

In 2011, that number will be just 142.

In a news release the Lilly Endowment announced a grant of $15 million to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) to support another round of the scholarship program. For the 2011 “class,” each foundation will be eligible to nominate at least one recipient for the full-time scholarship. This is a change from previous years, when each county could nominate at least two students.

The number of scholarships will now be awarded accordingly with the following population in each county:

• 1-50,000 - 1

• 50,001-150,000 - 2

• 150,001-250,000 - 3

• 250,001-350,000 - 4

• 350,001-450,000 - 5

• 450,001-550,000 - 6

• 550,001-650,000 - 7

• 650,001-750,000 - 8

• 750,001 or more - 9

Dearborn County (population of 50,502 based on 2009 U.S. Census estimates) will retain the two scholarships that it has traditionally handed out. However, Franklin (23,148), Ripley (27,421), Ohio (5,909), and Switzerland (9,675) counties will all be reduced from two of the annual Lilly scholarships to just one.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has awarded to more than 3,300 students over the past 13 years. The program provides scholarships for full tuition, required fees and up to $800 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited Indiana public or private college or university.