Scholarships in Illinois

Updated December 1, 2022

Scholarships can be the gateway to a new career path or the extension of an ongoing education. Here are our choices for Scholarships in Illinois.

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Faced with steeply rising college costs, students in Illinois and across the America are looking for ways to cut college costs and afford to earn their college degrees.

For students who are residents of Illinois or who are planning on attending school there, several scholarship options are available to help make paying for college easier. Below are 25 scholarships that are available for Illinois students.

1. Brenda Kay Garrett Memorial Scholarship

DEADLINE: 2nd week of April, June and November

The Brenda Kay Garrett Memorial Scholarship is offered to individuals who have successfully completed the Richland Community College GED program. Applicants must be planning on attending Richland Community College to pursue an undergraduate degree The amount varies each year and applicants must have an average GPA of 2.0 or higher in the GED program. Students are required to fill out an admission information form. When the student applies for the Brenda Kay Garrett Memorial Scholarship, the application will also be submitted to all scholarships the student may be eligible for.

Contact

Brenda Kay Garrett Memorial Scholarship
Tricia Cordulack, Director of Scholarships and Alumni Relations
Richland Community College Foundation
One College Park
Decatur, Illinois 62521
(217) 875-7211, Ext. 203

2. Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 30

The Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy offers a scholarship for cadets in the training program. This award allows program participants to attend a City College in Chicago. Applicants must have completed the first two years of the program during high school and must have maintained a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. The applicant must also have a 90% or better attendance rate, no driving suspensions and successfully passed a drug screening. The scholarship is offered to every program participant as long as the minimum requirements are met or exceeded.

Contact

Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy Scholarship
City Colleges of Chicago
Freda Richmond
Early College Manager
226 West Jackson Boulevard, 13th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 553-2970

3. Ellen Browning Scripps Scholarship

DEADLINE: February 1

The Ellen Browning Scripps Scholarship awards up to $10,000 to an incoming freshman at Knox College. Students must demonstrate superior academic performance, a high level of integrity and be enthusiastic about learning. Students must submit an application and essay to be considered for this scholarship. This is a highly competitive scholarship offered by Knox College. All incoming freshmen are encouraged to apply.

Contact

Ellen Browning Scripps Scholarship
Knox College
Office of Admission
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401-4999
(309) 341-7100

4. Elmhurst Garden Club Scholarship

DEADLINE: May 1

The Elmhurst Garden Club offers the Elmhurst Garden Club Scholarship to college juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students. Qualified applicants must be majoring in biology, botany, environmental studies or horticulture. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. All applicants must submit an application, official academic transcript and two letters of recommendation with one coming from a professor in the student's major. Academic achievements, career plans, community service, work experience and extra-curricular activities are taken into consideration by the scholarship committee. If awarded, the student must submit a letter of acceptance and make a short presentation at the Elmhurst Garden Club.

Contact

Elmhurst Garden Club Scholarship
Jean Baldikoski
EGC Scholarship Chairwoman
P.O. Box 383
Elmhurst, IL 60126

5. Friends of Volo Bog Environmental Scholarships

DEADLINE: March 31

Two Friends of Volo Bog Environmental Scholarships are offered each year to Illinois residents. Each scholarship is $1,000 with one being offered to incoming freshmen and one being offered to returning students. Applicants must be residents of Lake, Kane, DuPage, McHenry, Cook, Kendall or Will counties and attend a local high school. Students must also have earned at least a B average in high school. Applicants must be planning to pursue a future career in an area focusing on preserving the environment.

Contact

Friends of Volo Bog Environmental Scholarships
Volo Bog
28478 W. Brandenburg Rd.
Ingleside, IL 60041

6. Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois

DEADLINE: December 1

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois is a program open to high school and college students in Illinois. Students can self-nominate themselves or be nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor. All nominees must complete an application, write an essay, submit ACT scores and provide the scholarship committee with official transcripts. The Golden Apple scholarship committee will select 175 students each year to receive the scholarship. These students must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career as a teacher in a high-need school.

Contact

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois
Golden Apple Foundation
8 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 407-0006

7. Harry & Alice DeVries Memorial Scholarship

DEADLINE: January 15

The Harry & Alice DeVries Memorial Scholarship provides an $1,950 award to two students each year. Qualified students must be able to demonstrate substantial financial need and have excellent academic performance in high school. Applicants must have been accepted to and plan to attend Trinity Christian College. The college financial aid office determines the scholarship recipients. Those hoping to receive this scholarship should send in a college application to attend Trinity Christian College as well as a completed FAFSA form (See: How Do I Apply For The Federal Pell Grant?)

Contact

Harry & Alice DeVries Memorial Scholarship
Trinity Christian College
6601 W. College Drive
Palos Heights, IL 60463

8. Hermann R. Muelder Scholarship

DEADLINE: February 1

Knox College offers the Hermann R. Muelder Scholarship in memory of Hermann Muelder, one of the college's most well-respected and beloved history professors. The $15,000 award is offered to incoming freshmen attending Knox College. Applicants must demonstrate superior academic performance, a high level of integrity and an enthusiasm for learning. Interested students must submit transcripts, an essay and letters of recommendation. They must also attend a personal interview in order to be considered for the scholarship.

Contact

Hermann R. Muelder Scholarship
Knox College
Office of Admission
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401-4999
(309) 341-7100

9. Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships

DEADLINE: April 29

The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation offers a scholarship to permanent residents of Illinois who have been accepted to an accredited culinary school. In order to receive the scholarship, students must take a minimum of eight credit hours each term that the scholarship is distributed. Students must major in restaurant management, food service or culinary arts. Applicants must submit academic transcripts, a brief essay, two letters of recommendation, verification of work or volunteer experience and a photocopy of honors and achievements earned.

Contact

Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships
Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Attn: Scholarship Committee
33 W. Monroe St., Suite 250
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 787-4000 ext. 117

Scholarship Link

10. Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program

DEADLINE: March 1

The Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program is available to individuals interested in pursuing teaching careers. Applicants must be residents of Illinois. They must be high school seniors, college students or licensed teachers who would like to obtain certification to teach special education. In order to be eligible for the award, applicants must be enrolled or accepted in one of Illinois' public four-year colleges and maintain full-time status for up to four years. The selection committee considers high academic performance and teaching potential when awarding this scholarship.

Contact

Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
(800) 899-4722

11. John R. Cervantes Memorial Scholarship

DEADLINE: Varies

The John R. Cervantes Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to a high school senior graduating from Moline High School. This $1,000 award can be renewed for four years. Students must be planning to attend a four year university and demonstrate a high level of commitment to earning a degree. Applicants must also exhibit the personality traits of being studious, hardworking, well-rounded, dedicated to others and capable.

Contact

John R. Cervantes Memorial Scholarship
Moline High School
3600 Avenue of the Cities
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 743-1624

12. Latino Art Beat Scholarship

DEADLINE: Varies

The Latino Art Beat Scholarship is awarded to winners of the Latino Art Beat competition held annually in Chicago. Scholarship recipients must be incoming college freshmen. Scholarship winners are determined through an art contest where each applicant completes an original piece of artwork describing what Hispanic culture means to the applicant.

Contact

Latino Art Beat Scholarship
Latino Art Beat, Inc.
PO Box 87458
Chicago, IL 60680
(773) 291-6901

13. Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program

DEADLINE: March 1

The Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program is offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Applicants must be minority students interested in teaching preschool, elementary or secondary students in a public, private or parochial setting. The scholarship program is offered to residents of Illinois who identify as African American, Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American. Applicants may either be high school graduates or have earned a GED with a cumulative GPA of 2.5. All scholarship recipients must complete a mandatory teaching commitment or all scholarship money awarded becomes a loan that must be repaid.

Contact

Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
(800) 899-4722

14. Monsignor Egan Hope Scholarships

DEADLINE: February 3

The Monsignor Egan Hope Scholarship is offered to incoming freshmen attending DePaul University. Applicants must be residents of Chicago and have graduated from a City of Chicago high school. The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship committee also considers social activism, community service and leadership when awarding the scholarship. Award recipients must agree to engage in community service, community leadership and social activism activities as determined by the Office of theMulticultural Student Success of DePaul University.

Contact

Monsignor Egan Hope Scholarships
DePaul University
1 E. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 362-8000

15. NADCA Indiana Chapter 25 Scholarship

DEADLINE: June 6

The NADCA Indiana Chapter 25 Scholarship is offered to residents of Indiana or adjacent states planning to attend a Foundry Educational Foundation school in any of those states. Applicants must be interested in pursuing a career in the die casting industry. They must also currently work or attend a co-op program in the die casting industry. The scholarship is awarded to a qualifying applicant with a superior academic record.

Contact

NADCA Indiana Chapter 25 Scholarship
1695 Penny Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 490-9200

16. Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarship

DEADLINE: March 31

The Palumbo Family Foundation offers the Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarship to high school seniors, college student and graduate students residing in Cook, Kane, Lake, Dupage and Will counties in Illinois. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. In addition, the applicant's family must have an annual adjusted gross family income of less than $47,100. The scholarship amount ranges from $500 to $10,000 and are non-renewable. Financial need, academic performance, work experience, leadership abilities, participation in school and community activities and future career and educational goals are considered.

Contact

Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarship
Palumbo Family Foundation
321 Center Street
Hillside, IL 60162

17. Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship-Transfer Honor Scholarship (Greenville College)

DEADLINE: Varies

The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Transfer Honor Scholarship is offered to incoming transfer students attending Greenville College. Applicants must be members of Phi Theta Kappa in order to be eligible for this $5,000 award. The scholarship is renewable for any future years that the student remains at Greenville College. Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic achievement and career potential. Transfer students must have earned a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average at the previous school.

Contact

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship-Transfer Honor Scholarship (Greenville College)
Greenville University
315 E. College Ave.
Greenville, Il 62246
(618) 664-2800

18. PMI Central Illinois Project Management Scholarship

DEADLINE: Varies

The Project Management Institute Educational Foundation offers the PMI Central Illinois Project Management Scholarship to undergraduate or graduate students attending a college in Illinois. This $2,000 award is offered to those pursuing a degree in project management or a related field. Interested students must submit transcripts and three letters of reference. The scholarship selection committee considers extracurricular performance, co-curricular activities and academic performance when awarding the PMI Central Illinois Project Management Scholarship.

Contact

PMI Central Illinois Project Management Scholarship
The Project Management Institute Educational Foundation
14 Campus Boulevard
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299
(610) 356-4600

19. Promise of Nursing Graduate Nursing Education Scholarship Program

DEADLINE: Contact sponsoring organization

The Promise of Nursing Graduate Nursing Education Scholarship Program is a $15,000 renewable scholarship offered to residents of California, South Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee or New Jersey. Applicants must be pursuing a career as a nurse educator in academia. Preference for the award goes to those in a master's or doctoral program. All applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Contact

Promise of Nursing Graduate Nursing Education Scholarship Program
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association
Attention: Undergraduate Scholarship Program
45 Main Street Suite 606
Brooklyn, NY 11201

20. Prospect Heights Dollars for Scholars Academic Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 18

The Prospect Heights Dollars for Scholars Academic Scholarship is offered to residents of the city of Prospect Heights or the village of Wheeling. Prospect Heights Dollars for Scholars offers six $2,500 one-year scholarships, one $2,500 scholarship that is renewable over four years and one $2,500 one year scholarship towards vocational school. Applicants must be a high school senior accepted to either a two-year or four-year college or university. Applicants must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0. In order to be considered for the Prospect Heights Dollars for Scholars Academic Scholarship, students must submit a FAFSA form, short essay, two letters of recommendation and academic transcripts.

Contact

Prospect Heights Dollars for Scholars Academic Scholarship
Prospect Heights Dollars for Scholars
1061 S. Wolf Road
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 850-5141

21. Raskin Scholars Program

DEADLINE: Varies

The Raskin Foundation offers scholarships to those demonstrating significant financial need and may not otherwise have the financial means to attend college. The Raskin Foundation focuses on education, animal welfare and curing serious illness. Applicants for the Raskin Scholars Program must demonstrate financial need and excellent academic performance. The $10,000 scholarship is awarded to those interested in pursuing an education or career in the creative arts.

Contact

Raskin Scholars Program
Chicago, IL 60611
Scholarship Contact Form

22. Senior Honors Scholarship (Western Illinois University)

DEADLINE: Varies

The Senior Honors Scholarship is a competitive award offered by Western Illinois University. Applicants must be college seniors attending Western Illinois University full-time. Students must be in good standing at WIU's Centennial Honors College and demonstrate a commitment to graduating as an honor's scholar. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.4 in order to be considered for the scholarship.

Contact

Senior Honors Scholarship (Western Illinois University)
Director
Centennial Honors College
1 University Circle, 2nd Floor Malpass Library
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455

23. TELACU David C. Lizarraga Fellowship

DEADLINE: February 28

The TELACU David C. Lizarraga Fellowship is offered to first-generation college students pursuing a master's degree in business administration or engineering. Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be enrolled full-time at a college or university. All applicants must demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, commitment to the development and empowerment of local communities and have a need for financial assistance.

Contact

TELACU David C. Lizarraga Fellowship
TELACU Education Foundation
5400 E. Olympic Blvd. Third Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 721-1655

24. The Three Sisters Scholarship Foundation

DEADLINE: Varies

The The Three Sisters Scholarship Foundation is offered to minority students at Evanston Township High School in Illinois or Montclair High School in New Jersey. Applicants must be intending to enroll in a four-year college or university. Preference for this $500 award is given to African-American or Black females with a strong academic record, participation in sports or extra-curricular activities and a commitment to engaging in community service activities.

Contact

The Three Sisters Scholarship Foundation
East Orange, NJ 07017

25. Two-Week Language Scholarships

DEADLINE: February 28

Residents of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin are eligible to apply for Two-Week Language Scholarships. These scholarships are open to children between eight and 18 years of age who are interested in studying French or German in Northern Minnesota at the Concordia Language Villages. This award covers the tuition for the program. The scholarship committee conducts a random drawing of all eligible applicants in order to determine scholarship recipients.

Contact

Two-Week Language Scholarships
Concordia Language Villages
Attn: Scholarships
901 8th Street South
Moorhead, MN 56562
(800) 222-4750 ext. 3699

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