Jennie (McDowell) and Harlan Layton Scholarship-Lancaster Co NE

Beginning in 2024, this fund will serve as a partner fund to the Lincoln Community Foundation Student Success Scholarship Fund in which award amounts from many scholarship funds are pooled to create meaningful, renewable awards for Lancaster County students. To apply for the Lincoln Community Foundation Student Success Scholarship (LCFSSS), applicants should submit their general application, then click the “Apply” button beside the Lincoln Community Foundation Student Success Scholarship to answer a few additional questions. Recipients must be current graduating high school seniors or former graduates of public or private high schools in Lancaster County, NE or GED graduates residing in Lancaster County, NE; planning to attend an accredited, two-year or four-year nonprofit college or university with a preference for those attending institutions within the state of Nebraska. Financial need may be considered.

The Jennie (McDowell) and Harlan Layton Scholarship was created in 2015 after Harlan passed away. Harlan was born in Decatur, Iowa and graduated from the Mount Ayr, Iowa high school in the 1940s. He was a BNSF Railroad brakeman for almost 30 years. Harlan was a humble gentleman, married to the love of his life, Jennie McDowell Layton. Jennie graduated from high school in Creston, Iowa. Harlan and Jennie relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jennie worked at National Bank of Commerce. Jennie passed away in 1995. Harlan lived simply and was a very generous man who wanted to give back to the communities that had provided opportunities to him and his wife.