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Background

Lynn Faulkner Viets was raised in a single-parent home in Peabody Apartments in Columbus, Georgia, during the late 50s and early 60s. Although she was in the top ten in her class at Jordan High School, it was not possible for her to afford the cost of a four-year degree. However, Ms. Viets was awarded a scholarship at Columbus College, now Columbus State University, that covered her tuition for two years. With the assistance of additional scholarships, a work program, and loans, she completed her degree in secondary education at Berry College in 1967. A long teaching career followed, as did marriage and family.

In 1984, Ms. Viets earned a master's degree in secondary education from the University of Arkansas. It was here that she discovered an interest in teaching economics. Over the years, Ms. Viets received national and international recognition for her teaching at all levels of economics. After teaching for 30 years, including both Columbus, Georgia, and Arkansas, Ms. Viets retired in 2005 from North Carolina.

Ms. Viets knows both the impact of college education and the impact of that FIRST scholarship to Columbus College. It is her journey, and the investment made in her education, that compels her to offer a scholarship that provides a deserving student attending any public university in Georgia a FIRST chance at a college education.

Overview

The Faulkner Viets Scholarship:

• Is intended to help students with high academic achievement, financial need, and strong character achieve a college education.
• Will be paid to a two- or four-year college or university that is:
  • Accredited
  • Located in Georgia
  • An institution in the Technical College System of Georgia or University System of Georgia
• Can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and books.
  • Note: For most students, a scholarship grant used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and essential equipment is usually not taxable. Scholarship funds used for room and board, stipends, and other purposes may be taxable. Scholarship recipients should consult a tax professional with questions about the tax implications of their scholarship grant.
• Will pay a per-semester amount which is determined annually by the endowed spending policy of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc. - approximately $2,000 - $2,250.
• Is renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) based on:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment (typically 12 or earned more credit hours) during each fall and spring semester the student receives the scholarship, and
  • Maintenance of a least a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

One Faulkner Viets Scholar will be selected in 2026. The selected student will receive the scholarship each semester, provided they maintain their eligibility as outlined above, until they receive their degree. 

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the Faulkner Viets Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a graduating high school senior from a Muscogee County School District public high school.
• Plan to enter college as a first-year student in the fall of 2026.
• Hold primary residence in Muscogee County, Georgia.
• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of their application.
• Not be an immediate family member of any employee or board member of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Inc.
• Complete and submit as instructed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA), and submit in their application a copy of the page of the resulting Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index (SAI). Financial information will be held in strictest confidence.
• Complete a personal interview with the Faulkner Viets Scholarship Committee if selected as a finalist.

Criteria

Applications are reviewed by a committee appointed by Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley (CFCV) and include members who are not CFCV staff. The committee will consider applicants who demonstrate:

• High academic achievement
• Financial need
• Strong character as demonstrated through service to their school, community, religious organization, and/or job.
• Preference may be given to applicants who are past or present residents of affordable housing via services such as a HUD-subsidized public housing community or Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Time Schedule

• Completed Application Due: Friday, March 13, 2026, 5 p.m. EST
• Notification of Finalist Status: late April / early May 2026
• Inquiries about the application should be made by the student applicant via email at scholarships@cfcv.com.

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