On Sunday, 20 students learned that it will be easier to pay for their higher education and that, upon graduation, less debt will be hanging over their heads.

That’s because they received scholarships from the Des Moines Golf & Country Club Educational Foundation.

Those enrolled in four-year colleges got $3,000 and those attending two-year institutions received $1,500. Altogether, $57,000 was given away this year.

The college students receive half of the money in the first semester and must earn at least a 2.6 grade point average to receive the balance of the scholarship in the second semester.

Best of all, the students can reapply each year, so over four years the scholarship program could provide as much as $12,000 for their college educations.

Most award recipients go to Iowa schools, including Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa or smaller schools such as Simpson College. Others attend junior colleges such as Des Moines Area Community College. A few head to prestigious institutions such as Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Lindsay Steele, who graduated from Iowa State University two Saturdays ago, received $9,000 from the foundation.

“It was a pretty good chunk of money,” she said. “It helped me and it helped my parents financially so we didn’t have to borrow so much.”

Steele’s passion is working with children. At first, her dream was to emulate her mother and enter the teaching profession. She eventually decided to major in child and family services.

Steele now works as a teacher for 2-year-olds at Uncle Sam’s Federal Childcare. Her job is more than wiping noses and putting toddlers down for their naps. Using the child development skills she learned in college, Steele creates special activities to help them learn.

“It’s about developing their skills,” she said.

To be eligible for the scholarships, either the student or a parent must work at the club. Steele was eligible for a scholarship because her father, Jerry, works for the club’s grounds crew. Some of this year’s recipients are both employed by the country club and also have parents who work there.

Application forms of the program arrive in late spring inside workers’ paychecks. From there, students fill out the forms and return them with reference letters by June. The country club notifies the winners in late July or August.

A presentation ceremony at Des Moines Golf & Country Club includes an afternoon reception with punch, hors d’oeuvres and cake. Honorees receive certificates of recognition.

The scholarship program is in its 10th year. Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $250,000 in scholarships to more than 100 students. The foundation is a non-profit corporation managed by a board of former presidents of the country club.

“It’s funded 100 percent by members and vendors,” General Manager Jim Cutter said. “Members of the board are proud of the program. It is an additional incentive for quality employees.”

The program is also rare because of both the number of scholarships given each year and the amount of money per scholarship.

Monday, Aug. 18, the Educational Foundation Golf Classic will be held at the club to raise money for scholarships. It is a competitive event for members and guests.

The day will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. Play will start at 1 p.m. A reception will follow at 6:30 p.m. Dave Eichelberger, a former member of the PGA Tour who now plays on the Champions Tour, will be the featured guest. Eichelberger was the winner of the 1999 Senior Open, which was held at the club.

The foundation has no specific dollar figure in mind as its fund-raising goal, Cutter said. Instead, it tries to raise enough money to continue the program and award as many scholarships as possible.

“What they’re doing is amazing,” Steele said. “They’re giving out more scholarships each year than before. It helps the recipients out in a lot of ways.”