How the Questa Foundation Can Support Your College Journey

Our Youth & College Support Team partners with a variety of programs and resources to empower students with the tools and options they need to succeed. One of the resources we collaborate with most frequently is the Questa Foundation.

To give you a deeper understanding of what they do, we spoke with Bekah Wren, Program & Outreach Officer at Questa, and asked her four key questions. Here’s what she shared:

Can you tell us about the mission and vision of the Questa Foundation and how it supports students in achieving their educational goals?

Questa Foundation is dedicated to making higher education—whether it’s college, trades, apprenticeships, or other postsecondary paths—more affordable for students in the region. Their flagship program is the forgivable loan, which offers 50–100% loan forgiveness for students who meet specific requirements.

The foundation’s ultimate goal is to retain talent in Northeast Indiana, helping the region thrive. Founded in 1937 by R. Nelson Snider, Questa recently celebrated 87 years of supporting students.

What are some success stories or standout moments that illustrate Questa’s impact on students’ lives?

Since 2007, Questa has served over 2,200 students and awarded more than $22 million in forgivable student loans. Their efforts have resulted in an 85% graduation rate, far surpassing the national average of around 60%. Impressively, 80% of graduates remain in Northeast Indiana after completing their education.

Here’s what some Questa Scholars had to say:

• “I felt honored and blessed being chosen as a Questa Scholar. It was an amazing accomplishment! With Questa’s assistance, I was able to spend more time focusing on my transition from high school to college without the worry of how I would pay for it. Questa helped bridge that gap and provided me the opportunity to attend Indiana Tech where I now study one of my passions – Cybersecurity. Being a Questa Scholar has helped me take full advantage of my opportunity of having a college career by joining non-profit organizations on campus where I can give back to the community.”
  
  
• “Attending a private school can be expensive, so receiving college funding is so important. That big payment can create a lot of stress for college students but with the funding from Questa, college students can feel more relieved knowing they are getting a degree with less debt in the future. With college funding, students can confidently strive in college without the fear of owing as much money to the university and focus more on their studies.”
• “Funding for college is essential to me. Students can set their aspirations much higher and flourish when their shoulders are relieved from the weight of piling debt. Questa makes it possible for scholars to succeed and impact their local area. I am thankful for my Questa scholarship and the many things I have been able to accomplish because of it!”

Parents also appreciate Questa’s impact:

• “Questa has been an amazing help to our family! Our son is enjoying college with less financial stress. The staff is always kind, helpful, and supportive. Thank you!”

How does Questa Foundation connect with students to provide resources and mentorship?

Questa actively engages with students by visiting schools, answering questions, and offering personalized support. Their services include:

• Application assistance: Both in-person and virtual help, plus a step-by-step application guide.
• Scholarship search tool: Focused on local opportunities, and no account is required to use it.
• Collaborations: Partnering with organizations like the Don Wood Foundation to improve postsecondary educational access and address financial barriers.

What advice would you give to students considering Questa for funding or support?

Bekah shares these helpful tips:

• Use available resources: Take advantage of Questa’s guides and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
• Essay tips: Put thought into your responses. Be passionate and detailed, sharing your experiences and aspirations. Remember to proofread for grammar and clarity.
• Recommendations: Secure two professional references (not family or friends) and give them ample time to complete their forms. Submit your application early to ensure references receive their email link promptly.
• Secure two professional references (not family or friends) and give them plenty of time to complete their recommendations. After you submit your application, emails will be sent to your references with a link to Questa’s recommendation form. To give them enough time to submit their recommendation, be sure to submit your application early!

Learn More

Questa provides funding throughout every step of the college journey. While scholarships/funding opportunities for graduating high school seniors are more common, it’s important for people to know they also offer funding options for those further along in their college journey, as well as adult learners.

If you’re a student—or a parent—interested in Questa’s resources, don’t wait to explore how they can help make education more accessible and affordable. Visit their website or reach out to their team for more information!

Stay connected and up to date with Questa’s latest news: Follow them on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok to stay in the loop! (P.S. They also share local scholarship opportunities!)