Photos of The Financial Aid office, located on the second floor of the Student Center, taken on September 30, 2026. Photo By: Caleb Jeong

The recently established Andrew Eveloff Memorial Scholarship honors a former student and helps others with disabilities achieve their educational goals.  

At 6 to 8 weeks old, Andrew was diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy, an umbrella term for disorders contributing to progressive muscle weakness. He attended JCCC and was awarded his degree after he died on Dec. 31, 2016, at age 24. During his time here, his father, Scott Eveloff, said he felt respected and supported.  

“It’s a hidden gem as far as I’m concerned,” Scott said regarding JCCC in an interview with KCTV5. 

 Awarded for the first time this fall semester, the endowed scholarship fund was created by the Eveloff family and the JCCC Foundation to give back and support students on their journey at the college.  

 To qualify, students must be enrolled at JCCC after high school graduation, be a Transition into Postsecondary Studies (TIPS) completer, have a disability and be working with Access Services. Students are selected by greatest financial need, requiring completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All applications require students to complete the general scholarship application to be matched with other scholarships.  

 “With this fund in particular, it’s tied to very specific criteria, and we do try to make sure that students who fall into the criteria are the ones that receive that funding,” said Haley Crawford, financial aid communications coordinator at JCCC. “A fund like this is very special, and we want to make sure that we’re honoring what the donor wants.” 

 The Financial Aid Office assists students with exploring their options for paying for college. Supervisor of Scholarships Ashley Jost believes Andrew’s story portrays JCCC’s message of inclusivity and making education more accessible for all.  

 “[Andrew] excelled here at JCCC. He really came into his independence,” said Jost. “The fact that his family knew how important this place was to him and how he just shone when he was here just made it even more special and unique, in the fact that we do good things for students that are maybe in those types of scenarios, and we’ve got really strong programs to support students.” 

 “I feel like his experience and his story, how he felt like an equal here, a person who was treated with such respect and dignity, I think that’s really powerful here,” said Crawford.  

 To learn more about the scholarship, Crawford and Jost want students to know about how the Financial Aid Office strives to provide students with resources and scholarship opportunities.  

 “Being a community college, I think we see students in all different varieties and all different paths of life, and we meet them where we are, and we do the best we can to meet people where they are to try to help them be successful.” 

 In preparation for the 2027-28 school year, the Financial Aid Office has a list of upcoming and important dates to note about applying for aid and scholarships.  

To learn more about Andrew Eveloff and the Financial Aid Office at JCCC, visit its website.