Higher education costs have risen steadily over the last several decades, making it difficult for many students to afford college. Promise and other free-tuition programs have seen varied levels of success, but almost all programs studied have been in urban or suburban areas. A cross-sectional study examines if and to what extent guaranteed financial contributions for higher education impact the college decisions of students in a small, rural high school. The study aimed to fill in the gaps in research regarding the Besse Scholarship program and rural college scholarship programs by better understanding the causal effects of a rural guaranteed scholarship fund on college attendance. The target population for the study was students who graduated from Butternut High School between 1993 and 2022. Students who graduated between 1993 and 2007 were not eligible for the Besse Scholarship, and students who graduated between 2008-2022 were eligible. Participants were targeted by convenience sampling with a snowball supplement. An online survey was promoted through social media channels and word-of-mouth. One hundred twenty respondents completed the survey, representing 21.4% of the potential population. Survey results demonstrated an impact in motivating students to pursue higher education and provided crucial financial relief for recipients. Analysis revealed a significant relationship between eligibility for the Besse Scholarship and pursuing education beyond high school. Multivariate analyses highlighted both gender and scholarship eligibility were significant factors influencing college attendance. Additionally, economic status and educational disability demonstrated impacts on college attendance, affirming the need for tailored support and resources for students with diverse backgrounds and needs. Research highlighted the importance of targeted financial support in facilitating post-high school education and suggests that factors beyond financial assistance contribute to individuals' decisions to pursue education. A positive impact reported by college-bound and non-college-bound individuals underscored the program's efficacy in fostering a culture of educational empowerment within the Butternut community. The Besse Scholarship study contributed to a broader understanding of how scholarship programs can positively impact the financial aspects of pursuing a college education. A multifaceted examination contributed comprehensive insights to inform future scholarship program design, implementation, and evaluation in rural contexts. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]