I received ADSF scholarships when I was in a tight spot, working constantly to stay in college. They made a huge difference by relieving the stress of paying for tuition so I could focus on classes. I’ve been working with ADSF (as one of many projects!) ever since I graduated from Berkeley!
Eythana Miller
ADSF Program Manager
A scholarship is not just money—it is permission, encouragement, and evidence that your future can be larger than your past. For me, it helped move college from impossible to risky—and risky was enough. That step changed my life.
Leon Hostetler
Postdoctoral scholar, Department of Physics, Indiana University
ADSF’s scholarship helped me overcome financial and cultural barriers that once made college seem impossible, opening doors to a future I never imagined. It helped pave the way to a fulfilling life, personally and professionally.
Esther Hostetler
Infection Preventionist, Indiana University Health
I am pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences and working toward becoming a physician. Programs like ADSF were catalysts in my academic journey; they didn’t remove the barriers, but they lowered them—just enough for me to keep moving forward.
Sharon Beachy
ADSF Board Member
Our Impact
An Outsized Impact
Even though ADSF is a small organization, it has made a difference in the lives of 86 students since the first two scholarships were awarded in 2012. These are students who drew on their courage and resilience to overcome the obstacles on their way to higher education. We feel honored to have become part of their story.
Quick Facts:
- 145 scholarships awarded to 86 students since 2012
- Total awarded: $329,584
- Average scholarship: $2,273
- Scholarships have ranged from $500 to $7,500
- In 2025, we added a mentorship program
- In 2026, we awarded 25 scholarships, breaking our record for a single year
- 77% of applicants have been women
- 60% of applicants have chosen "helping professions," including nursing and healthcare, counseling, psychology, social work, and education
A breakdown of scholarships awarded by gender annually:
Scholarship recipient fields of study, all years including 2026:
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Stories from Leon Hostetler and Derek Miller
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Become a Mentor
Want to lend advice and support to a potential or current student? Apply to become an ADSF Mentor.
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Want to volunteer? Please tell us about yourself by contacting us.
Spread the Word
Want to help spread the word about ADSF? Please tell everyone you know about the scholarship. We thank you!
The data shows some aspects of our impact, but the difference ADSF has made in recipients' lives cannot be fully measured with numbers and dollars.
Leon Hostetler, a recipient of a 2014 ADSF scholarship had this to write about what education meant to him, and to his wife, Esther:
I think the greater effect of education on quality of life is the happiness/satisfaction/
We do not believe Leon speaks only for himself and his wife, but for many who came out of an Amish or Plain background and had to struggle to find their way to and through college or university. Below are quotes and snapshots from recipients of ADSF scholarships that illustrate how ADSF and our generous donors have become part of their stories.
ADSF helped make my education possible through scholarships and gave me the encouragement of knowing someone understood my unique challenges and believed I deserved the opportunity to pursue my potential.
Susanna Nolt
Art Educator & Childcare Specialist
ADSF helped me so much after I left the Amish. I had a dream of becoming an airline pilot and ADSF helped me cover tuition for several years in a row while I worked on my pilot licenses and I’m happy to say I have now accomplished my dream and am flying passenger airliners.
Henry Schrock
Airline Pilot
Coming from a background in which schooling ends at eighth grade, getting an education remained out of reach for me for decades. When I was finally able to earn my GED and enter college, receiving an ADSF scholarship was such an encouraging blessing to me!
ADSF made it possible for me to pursue my college education while balancing the responsibilities of being a single mother, being the primary caregiver for my father, and working. I am beyond grateful for this foundation. You changed my life.
Katie Borntreger Ebert
BSN, RN, NRP Instructor & Mentor