Roaming the “Prairie State” for scholarships in Illinois can reduce the financial burden of steepening college tuition.
From Chicago to Springfield, Illinois is fifth most populous state nationwide. It has over 12.8 million inhabitants. Since Illinois College granted the state’s first degree in 1835, higher education has exploded with 60 public and 86 private institutions.
You’ll find excellent opportunities at:
- urban campuses like the University of Chicago
- Roman Catholic schools like DePaul University
- close-knit liberal arts communities like Lake Forest College
- STEM-centric innovation hubs like the Illinois Institute of Technology
In fact, Illinois’ Northwestern University is deemed America’s 12th best university overall by the U.S. News.
Midwesterners needing extra funds for post-secondary education should consider the following 20 great Illinois scholarships.
1. Anhelo Project Dream Scholarships
Deadline: January 13th
The Anhelo Project in Chicago offers several Dream Scholarships. They’re designed to remove road blocks for undocumented students, including DACA recipients, who are pursuing college education in Illinois. Qualified dreamers must:
- register for 12+ credits at an accredited institution
- carry a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
- be ineligible for federal financial aid
- submit two letters of recommendation
- commit 20 hours of volunteer time to Anhelo Project events.
Contact
Anhelo Project Dream Scholarships
P.O. Box 08290
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 609-4252
dreamscholarshipchicago@gmail.com
2. Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship
Deadline: May 15th
The Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship presents $2,500 yearly to honor the Mattoon native’s selfless heroism during an airplane crash. The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation seeks full-time juniors, seniors, and graduate students. They must be studying full-time at accredited U.S. business schools who graduated high school in Coles County. Imperative are:having good academic standing in one of the following majors:
- finance
- banking
- accounting
- economics
- computer technology.
Contact
Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship
2701 S. Banker Street Suite 102A
Effingham, IL 62401
(217) 342-4988
info@enrichingourcommunity.org
3. Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois offers the Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship. It provides $1,000 for graduating high school seniors from the following counties:
- Winnebago
- Boone
- Ogle
- Stephenson
They must have played varsity baseball or softball for 3+ years. Eligibility criteria requires:
- having U.S. citizenship
- pursuing a sports-related degree
- matriculating at an accredited Illinois college full-time
- attaining an overall GPA above 3.0
- exhibiting leadership skills with school involvement.
Contact
Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship
946 North Second Street
Rockford, IL 61107
(815) 962-2110
slambert@cfnil.org
4. Bleeding Disorders Community Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
The Bleeding Disorders Community Scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. The fund gifts $1,500. It supports college-bound seniors who’ve been diagnosed with congenital or acquired chronic bleeding and clotting disorders like hemophilia. Eligible Downstate Illinois natives must:
- have visited an HTC within the last two years
- been admitted into an accredited post-secondary school
- reached a minimum 2.5 GPA
- have demonstrated desire to succeed.
Contact
Bleeding Disorders Community Scholarship
3625 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, IL 61604
(309) 674-8730
jessica@communityfoundationci.org
5. Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Scholarships
Deadline: April 15th
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is sponsored by Elaine’s Hope. It gifts $2,500 scholarships for five Illinois graduating high school seniors from the Chicagoland area who’ve experienced homelessness in the last five years. Suitable applicants must:
- be under 22 years old
- be former CCH youth clients
- enter an accredited two or four-year nonprofit college
- hold a minimum weighted GPA of 2.5
- demonstrate significant financial need.
Contact
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Scholarships
70 East Lake Street Suite 720
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 641-4140
ali@chicagohomeless.org
6. Friends of Volo Bog Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
Since 2016, the Friends of Volo Bog has delivered three $1,000 scholarships each year. They go to entering and continuing undergraduates from the Illinois counties of:
- Kane
- Cook
- DuPage
- Kendall
- McHenry
- Lake,
- Will
Appropriate applicants will:
- hold a minimum B average
- maintain full-time enrollment at accredited U.S. universities
- select a major in the environmental or natural sciences
- write a 400-word essay about their motivations for careers in conservation.
Contact
Friends of Volo Bog Scholarships
28478 W. Brandenburg Road
Ingleside, IL 60041
(815) 344-1294
fovb@mydb3.com
7. Golden Apple Scholars Program
Deadline: February 15th
The Golden Apple Scholars Program offers up to $23,000. It’s one of the largest scholarships in Illinois for high school seniors, college freshmen, and sophomores who are enthusiastic about entering the teaching profession. Scholars must attend one of the 52 partnering schools, such as:
- Elmhurst
- Illinois Wesleyan
- Loyola
- Rockford
- Southern Illinois
Eligible students must:
- have a 2.5 GPA or higher
- score at least 1030 on the SAT
- commit to teaching five years at high-need schools after certification.
Contact
Golden Apple Scholars Program
8 South Michigan Avenue Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 407-0006
scholars@goldenapple.org
8. Herman J. Neal Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 1st
The Illinois CPA Society manages the Herman J. Neal Scholarship Fund . It was created by a Chicago physician dedicated to opening opportunities for young African Americans. For the $4,000 awards, students of color must be entering their junior, senior, or graduate year of an accredited accounting program. The goal is to fulfill the 150-hour requirement for Certified Public Accountant licensure.
Similar funds include the Debra R. Hopkins “Be a CPA” Scholarship and Arthur R. Wyatt Scholarship.
Contact
Herman J. Neal Scholarship Fund
524 South 2nd Street Suite 504
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 789-7914
membershipinfo@icpas.org
9. Illinois Nursing Education Scholarships
Deadline: May 31st
The Illinois Department of Public Health awards the Nursing Education Scholarships. They range from $2,985 to $10,901 each. They’re for full-time college students accepted into associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree programs for nursing. Qualified applicants must:
- legally reside in Illinois
- enroll at ACEN or CCNE accredited schools
- have a cumulative GPA above 3.0
- demonstrate unmet financial need
- pursue registered nursing (RN) licensure
Recipients sign agreements to work in Illinois medical facilities for direct patient care.
Contact
Illinois Nursing Education Scholarships
535 W. Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
(217) 782-1624
dph.nesp@illinois.gov
10. ISPE/Peppy Moldovan Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
The Illinois Society of Professional Engineers’ Peppy Moldovan Scholarships are valued at $1,000. They’re given to female college sophomores who are entering ABET-accredited engineering schools. Acceptable colleges include:
- Bradley University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Eligible women must:
- finish 30+ credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- submit two references
- write a 500-word essay discussing their engineering interests.
Contact
ISPE/Peppy Moldovan Scholarships
100 East Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 544-7424
info@illinoisengineer.com
11. Jean E. Taketoshi Scholarship
Deadline: May 2nd
The Japanese American Society of Chicago (JASC) distributes the Jean E. Taketoshi Scholarship. They’re for $1,500 to graduating high school seniors. They must be attending higher learning institutions on a full or part-time basis. Being of Japanese ancestry isn’t requisite, but candidates must:
- reside in Illinois
- have good academic standing
- be involved in community service with Japanese American organizations
Other JASC funds include the John Iwaoka Scholarship and Nielsen STEM Scholarship.
Contact
Jean E. Taketoshi Scholarship
4427 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-0097
jascinfo@jasc-chicago.org
12. John Stroger Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 28th
The Illinois Counties Association presents the John Stroger Memorial Scholarship for $7,000 annually. It’s for residents who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree at an accredited Illinois university full-time. Preference is given to those interested in:
- government
- public service
- public administration
- political science
Selected scholars must:
- be U.S. citizens
- enroll without interruption
- maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- engage in civic-minded activities.
Contact
John Stroger Memorial Scholarship
100 E. Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 528-3434
courtneyadams@frontline-online.net
13. Martin J. Svaglic Humanities Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
At Loyola University Chicago, the Martin J. Svaglic Humanities Scholarship grants $2,500 to two incoming freshmen or transfers. They must declare a major in one of the following:
- English
- fine arts
- history
- classical studies
- history
- theology
- philosophy
- journalism
- foreign language
- theatre
- communication
Eligible applicants must:
- hold a high school diploma
- achieve a minimum overall 3.0 GPA
- score at least 1170 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT
Consideration isn’t given to financial need.
Contact
Martin J. Svaglic Humanities Scholarship
6339 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 508-7704
lufinaid@luc.edu
14. Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
The Palumbo Family Foundation offers need-based scholarships of varying amounts. They support college students who have resided in one of these counties for at least six months:
- Illinois’ Cook
- DuPage
- Kane
- Lake
- Will counties
Eligible are:
- Incoming freshmen
- current undergraduates
- professional students
Qualifying criteria includes:
- holding U.S. citizenship
- achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- having an annual adjusted family income under $47,700
- submitting two faculty recommendation letters.
Contact
Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarships
321 Center Street
Hillside, IL 60162
(708) 544-9220
scholarship@palumbofoundation.org
15. Peter Grunwald Scholarship Award
Deadline: March 31st
The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois offers the $2,000 Peter Grunwald Scholarship Award. It honors Grunwald’s pioneering policymaking with the Illinois General Assembly. Interested applicants must:
- be legally blind
- reside in the Prairie State
- attend an accredited college or vocational school full-time
- display academic merit with a 2.5 GPA or better
- participate in community service
Applications must include a self-portrait discussing how visual impairment has impacted students’ lives.
Contact
Peter Grunwald Scholarship Award
5817 North Nina Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 203-1394
president@nfbofillinois.org
16. Polish Women’s Civic Club Inc. Scholarship
Deadline: October 15th
Celebrating its 60th year, the Polish Women’s Civic Club Inc. Scholarship has given over $500,000 to deserving college undergraduates. They must have at least one parent of Polish descent. Qualified applicants must:
- be U.S. citizens or resident aliens
- call Illinois home
- attend a Chicago campus of an accredited four-year institution
- study full-time with at least sophomore standing
- need financial assistance.
There’s also the Donald Gutowski Athletic Scholarship.
Contact
Polish Women’s Civic Club Inc. Scholarship
P.O. Box 67
Arlington Heights, IL 60006
(773) 777-6300
info@pwcci.org
17. Robert Sherman Fine Art Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
The Glenview Art League offers the Robert Sherman Fine Art Scholarship. It’s a one-time, $1,000 award for budding high school artists who are graduating from District 225. It’s intended to finance tuition at accredited two and four-year colleges for visual art majors.These include:
- drawing
- sculpture
- painting
- design
- photography
- ceramics
- video production
Applicants must submit:
- proof of college acceptance
- an art teacher recommendation
- a flash drive of 10 work samples.
Contact
Robert Sherman Fine Art Scholarship
P.O. Box 463
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 724-4007
glenviewartleague@att.net
18. Sara Elizabeth Stubblefield Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
The Sara Elizabeth Stubblefield Scholarship honors the licensed clinical social worker who advocated for epilepsy education until her unexpected death in 2011. It provides $2,000 annually. Deserving recipients must:
- be diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure disorder
- graduate from a public or private high school in Illinois
- matriculate at least half-time at a college or technical school
- have good academic standing
- exhibit perseverance in overcoming epilepsy.
Contact
Sara Elizabeth Stubblefield Scholarship
3515 North Belt West
Belleville, IL 62226
(618) 236-2181
trudyb@epilepsygsil.org
19. Thomas F. Seay Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 1st
The Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation offers 15 funds, including the Thomas F. Seay Scholarship for $2,000. This one-time award assists Illinois residents who are pursuing real estate education at any accredited institution. Their goal must be to become a licensed realtor. Scholarship criteria includes:
- being a U.S. citizen
- completing at least 30 semester hours
- maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better
- having economic need
Also consider the Ralph Pritchard Scholarship and Roxane Malo Leadership Scholarship.
Contact
Thomas F. Seay Scholarship Fund
522 South 5th Street
Springfield, IL 62701
(866) 854-7333
lclayton@iar.org
20. William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
The William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship is worth $3,000. It’s delivered by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend to Illinois residents of Rock Island County. Eligible graduating high school seniors must be entering an accredited college full-time. They must be pursuing healthcare training with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Financial need is the major component, but merit is evaluated by:
- academic record
- community involvement
- work experience
- personal circumstances
Preference is given to students at Augustana College and Trinity College.
Contact
William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship
852 Middle Road Suite 100
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 326-2840
info@cfgrb.org
Degrees in the “Land of Lincoln” certainly won’t come free. Illinois stands as the United States’ fifth most expensive state for college. Tuition and fees cost an average of $12,550, and rates have risen by 17.9 percent in the last five years. Several institutions, especially private nonprofits, up the price tag considerably higher. Financial aid goes a long way towards making post-secondary goals more affordable. Along with these scholarships in Illinois, don’t forget the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG).