College Scholarships / Financial Aid

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

AES ENGINEERS SCHOLARSHIP

Criteria: This scholarship is awarded on the basis of character, as determined by evaluation of the essays that are submitted. To apply, students must submit an essay of no more than 1000 words in answer to one of two questions. For more information, go towww.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm.

Criteria: Participants must draw from a live model in costume using charcoal or pencil. The full figure is to be completed in black and white on a 15” x 20” illustration board, cold press surface. Participants must also draw a still life in color. For more information, go to www.aaart.edu.

Criteria: Senior in high school graduating in 2011 with talent in dance, film and video, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. It is a chance to receive national exposure at ARTS Week in January, 2011 in Miami, FL and become a Presidential Scholar in the Arts in June 2011. For more information, go to www.ARTSawards.org.

Criteria: One high school senior from the high school who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0
scale, works an average of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, demonstrates participation in
community service and/or co-curricular activities, demonstrate financial need, obtain required
recommendations, and plan to enroll in an accredited two or four year college/university or vo-
tech school.  To obtain more information, go wo www.bk.com/scholars.

Criteria: Candidate must be a junior or senior high school student currently serving in an elected capacity in student government or a related organization and with an intention to take government courses in college. Applicant must be a permanent resident of the U.S., be enrolled in an Illinois high school and have at least one parent who is a legal resident of Illinois. Candidates must also demonstrate leadership ability, high scholastic standing and demonstrated ability to achieve, clear speech and logical thought processes, and community involvement. Student must demonstrate participation in a wide selection of activities on and off campus such as sports, arts, or politics.  For more information, stop by Guidance or go to www.ussenateyouth.org or to www.isbe.net/sos/htmls/hearst.htm.

Criteria: Offered to seniors who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and want to pursue a bachelor's degree, but have critical financial need. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement (min 2.0/4.0 GPA), involvement in co-curricular and community activities, and be planning on pursuing a bachelor's degree. For more information and to apply, go online to www.horatioalger.org/scholarships. Applications can be downloaded beginning June 1 -October 15.

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP

Criteria: Applicants will be judged on academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, community leadership, and involvement in various extracurricular activities. To apply, go to www.wendysheisman.com.

NOVEMBER

Criteria: Teachers, counselors, principals and other non-family adults are invited to nominate high school students scheduled to graduate in 2009 who demonstrate an interest in or commitment to teaching in an Illinois school of need. Self nominations are also accepted.
If selected, student must maintain academic excellence at one of the 54 Illinois university partners, participate in four summer institutes, obtain an Illinois teaching certificate, and teach or five years in an Illinois school of need. For more information, go to www.goldenapple.org.

Criteria: Graduating high school seniors, residing in Illinois, who will be enrolling in their first year of college/ university or vo-tech school. Recipients are based upon involvement, leadership roles, honors and awards, employment, personal statement, financial statement, scholastic achievement and references.  To download an application, go to www.ijcf.org.

Criteria: The Society of Automotive Engineers offers a number of scholarships to qualified students who are interested in the study of engineering and the related sciences. Corporate sponsored scholarships range in value from $1,000-$10,000. Judging for these scholarships will be based on the criteria established by the sponsor and is outlined in the individual scholarship descriptions. The applicant must be enrolled in an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). University sponsored scholarships range in value from $400 to full tuition. Applicant must attend the named university and enroll in a specific program of engineering, if required. For more information, go online at www.sae.org/students/engschlr.htm. or stop by the Guidance Office.

Criteria: Juniors who have at least a 2.75/4.0 in the 9th and 10th grades, demonstrate accomplishments in special talents, leadership, community service and have faced a significant roadblock or challenge. For more information, go to www.discoverfinancial.com/community.

Criteria: Students are eligible to be considered if they are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic America, are a U.S. citizen, Unweighted GPA of 3.3, planning on attending college in fall of 2010, have demonstrated leadership abilities, meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility, and have completed all forms by deadline. For an application form, please go to www.gmsp.org.

Criteria: Applicants must attend an engineering program at a university/college that has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 grade scale) and test score of:  SAT- 600 Math and 500 Verbal; or, ACT- 29 Math, 25 English.    To download an application, please go to www.illinoisengineer.com/chapter-capital.shtml. Applications also available in the guidance office.

Criteria:  In honor of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, a contest is being co-sponsored by UIS and the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.  There are three contest categories which include: Historical Essay, Creative Expression in the Written Word and Performace/Visual Arts.  Complete scholarship contest rules, forms and supplemental materials can be found at www.uis.lincolnforum/.

Criteria: High school senior who is resident of Sangamon County. Recipients must attend college/university and major in Accounting. Scholarship may be renewed annually provided student remains in the Accounting program and in good academic standing. Each participating high school may submit two applicant as finalists. Stop by Guidance for an application.

Criteria: Scholarship recipients will be selected according to several criteria, including academic record, leadership skills, participation in school and community activities, and financial need. For an application, stop by the Guidance Department or go to www.simonyouth.scholarshipamerica.org.

Criteria: Open to all seniors planning careers of service to the U.S. in local, state, or federal government. Judges' decision will be based on understanding of career requirements, purpose in choice of a career, preparation for such a career, qualities of leadership exhibited, sincerity and historical perspective. For application and more information, go to www.gwcf.org.

Criteria: Contest is open to Junior and Seniors. Student will write an essay no more
than 500 words on the subject of "Americanism-The Freedom to Choose ". Competition will be on a Post, Unit or Squadron level and continue on to the Auxilliary District and Division level.
Division 1st place winners will compete for the state awards ranging from $100-$1,000.
Stop by the Guidance Dept. for more information.

Criteria: Applicants must demonstrate commitment to and involvement in volunteer community service. Selection will be based on solid academic performance and community service. Consideration may also be given to participation and leadership in school activities and work experience. Financial need is not considered. For more information and an application go to www.at15.com or www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com.

Criteria: This scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship presented to one incoming Musictech College music business student each academic year. This award is granted to the applicant who 1)demonstrates his or her ambition to pursue a career in the music industry; 2)has maintained a good academic record; and 3)demonstrates financial need. Any student who has applied for admission to Musictech College- Music Business Program is eligible for this scholarship. For more information, go online to www.theconclave.com.

Criteria: Radio scholarships are for those who want careers in any area of radio/broadcasting- air personality, advertising/sales, programming, writing, news, sports production, et. Applicant must be a high school senior and meet each individual school's entrance requirements. Application form must be completed and submitted with an audio cassette or CD recording of the supplied script. The voice tape must be that of the applicant. For more information, go to www.theconclave.com.

Criteria: Applicants must maintain a minimum C average and meet entrance requirements of the awarding institution at time of application to institution. The purpose of the awards is to reward students who have been proactive in preparing themselves for the world of work through after school employment, community service and responsibilities at home. Dependents of employees at LLCC, RMC, SCI, and UIS who receive benefits are not eligible for these awards. Stop by Guidance for an application.

Criteria: Applicants must be children of Horace Mann employees.
Scholarship applicants will be judged on a written essay, school and community
activities, high school transcript, and letters of recommendation. Financial need is not a
consideration, but applicants who have educational expenses paid through other
scholarships and/or grants are ineligible. Go to www.horacemann.com for more information.

Criteria: The objective of this scholarship is to recognize and honor top high school
senior science students who have exemplified outstanding achievement in academics,
extracurricular/employment activities and community involvement. Various personal
information must be completed as well as a one page essay on "How the study of
chemistry will impact the student's future and/or chosen career". For more details,
please stop by the Guidance office or go to www.cicil.net.

Criteria: Students must be planning on participating in a college cooperative education program at one of the NCCE Partner Colleges and Universities. Students must have a GPA of 3.5 (B+) or better and complete a one-page essay. The National Commission encourages minority and female students as well as students interested in Science-Math-Engineering-Technology to apply for a merit co-op scholarship. For more information or an application go to www.co-op.edu.

Criteria: Students pursuing business degress from the MU College of Business. There are two very large scholarships available: Sam Walton and Ponder Minority as well as various others from the Trulaske College of Business. For the applications, pleae go to www.business.missouri.edu. Other scholarships can be found on the inclusive application found at www. sfa.missouri.edu.

Criteria: The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Program is to recognize the commitment of pre-university women students to the
volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and commitment to
the advancement of the status of women, and thus encourage more women students to
enter careers in public affairs, public policy and community organizations. For more information, go to www.zonta.org. to access the application form.

Criteria: Applicants must be African American, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. Student must be a high academic achiever in chemistry or science, able to demonstrate financial need, and intending to major in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or a chemically-related science and planning a career in the chemical sciences or chemical technology. For more information or an application, go to www.chemistry.org/scholars.

Deadline: Not received yet/Check online

Criteria: This scholarship is for a four-year tuition scholarship at the University of Illinois.
Applicant must be a permanent resident of the Illinois county from which they apply and
be enrolled at or admitted to the Univ of Il at Urbana-Champaign, or Chicago or
Springfield by April 15. Applicant must be the natural or legally adopted child of the
veteran on whose service the application is made. This scholarship is not for
grandchildren of veterans. For more information, go to www.osfa.uiuc.edu. Click on
forms, then click on Children of Veterans Scholarship.

Criteria: For high school graduate attending college, university or vocational school.
Much have a C average. Preference will be given to African-American students and to
those in financial need. Designed to encourage scholastic achievement, leadership
skills, community service and good citizenship. Stop by Guidance or go to www.CFLL.org to download an application.

Criteria: Scholarship awarded to students who have a record of service in the Boys and Girls Club or other similar fraternal or community organizations. Applicant must demonstrate financial need, graduate in top half of his/her school, and demonstrate leadership qualities and compassion. Go to www.sccf.us for an application.

Criteria: To be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must be an Illinois High School Senior who has been accepted in a pre-approved nursing program or may already be a student in an approved School of Nursing in the state of Illinois. Applicant must also prove satisfactory academic record, character, interest and activity record, and financial need. Priority will be given to the dependant of a deceased or disabled veteran. Scholarship will be given to a student nurse-in-training in the following order: third-year student, second-year student, and first-year student. Go to www.ilamvets.org for more information or stop by the Guidance Dept.

Criteria: Applicants must be a child or grandchild of a Veteran who served after September 15th, 1940, and Honorably Discharged or presently serving in the military, Illinois high school senior, and have taken the ACT or SAT. Go to www.ilamvets.org for more information or stop by the Guidance Dept.

Criteria: The program encourages current teachers and academically talented students
to pursue careers as Illinois public, private or parochial elementary and secondary
school teachers in any area of Special Education. High school seniors must rank in
upper half of their graduating class at the end of the seventh semester. Applications
are available from the offices of Regional Superintendents of Education in Illinois; State
legislative and federal Congressional offices: and ISAC's Springfield, Deerfield and
Chicago offices.

Criteria:  For graduate of high school in Sangamon County who has a passion for learning.  may be full-time or part-time student and be pursuing a degree in nursing, health or medical career, or in veterinary medicine.  Must have GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and have financial need.  For more information and an application, go to www.CFFL.org or stop by the Guidance Department.

Criteria: A flexible number of scholarships are awarded to selected Sangamon County high school graduates that have an unweighted GPA of no less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. $5,000 and $3,000 scholarship awards require a major in a technical or scientific field while the $1,000 scholarship award does not have that requirement. Scholarships are renewable if GPA requirement is met. Application can be obtained in the Guidance Department.

Criteria: Applicant must be a child of a current Meijer team member who has been
employed full-time or part-time by Meijer for at least one year of continuous service at
the time the application is made; or a child of a former Meijer team member who worked
full-time or part-time for Meijer for at least one year, but whose employment was
terminated due to death, retirement, or total and permanent disability. The scholarship
is awarded on a basis of scholastic ability and achievements, participation in other
activities and financial need. In addition, each student must submit a statement of
aspirations/educational goals.

Criteria: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and service to the community. Financial need is considered. To be eligible for scholarship , applicant must be a legally blind resident of Illinois or student in Illinois. Applications can be downloaded from nfbofillinois.org.

OCI FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

BUD AND HELENE O'SHEA CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIP

Criteria: Applicant must plan on majoring in music in college. Applicant must successfully pass an audition for receipt of the Polly W. Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship. The audition is to (a) determine the student's present vocal proficiency and general musicianship, (b) to anticipate the student's probable future success in completing four years of professional training in vocal music and c) to determine whether a scholarship will be granted. Applications can be obtained in the Guidance Office or from Mrs. Danner.

Criteria: Open to full-time or part-time Shopko teammates and their chidren.  For more information, go to www.shopko.com.

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS

Criteria:  For Latino students graduating from high school  with GPA of 2.0 on 4.0 scale.  Display characteristics of positive attitude, determination, enthusiasm and leadership.  For more information and application, go to www.CFFL.org or stop by the Guidance Department.

Award: Varies up to $10,000

Criteria: Applicant must be an African-American graduating high school senior from the Springfield/Decatur area. Scholarship requirements vary according to financial need, field of study, attendance at traditional black university. See application in the Guidance office for more details.

Deadline: 99th District (Poe)- April 20, 2012 *ONLY ONE RECEIVED IN

Criteria: Applicant must be currently registered with Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council and
have been a member with the Council for a minimum of three years. Applicant must be attending
an accredited college, university or technical school. Go online to www.girscoutsllc.org for an
application. Information is available at this website for a few other Girl Scout Scholarships.

Criteria: The Helen and June Hamilton Teachers Scholarship Fund provides loans for the furtherance of the higher education of Sangamon County high school graduates. The maximum amount of any loan shall be 2/3rds of the cost of one year in school. Loans shall be forgiven if, upon completion of college, graduate or professional school, the individual receiving the loan becomes a full-time elementary or secondary school teacher and continues in such teaching position for a period of two years from the graduation of college, graduate or professional school.  Stop by Guidance for an application.

Criteria: This award is a housing stipend granted to select students who intend to become new members of the AKA fraternity at the University of IL-Urbana/Champaign and live within the fraternity their freshman year. Scholarship finalists must show scholastic excellence , leadership experience, and active participation in community and high school activities. Stop by the Guidance Office for an application.

Deadline: not received yet/ check online

-FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS

Criteria: Scholarship program for male students who graduate from a high school in Sangamon County. The award may be a grant or loan. Preference will be given to Pre-Med, Medical, and Medical Research students who show high aptitude and interest in careers relating to research in the fields of heart disease and cancer.  Stop by Guidance for an application.

Criteria: Applicant must be enrolled full time, interested in pursuing an education in the field of health care (the highest consideration will be given to sight and hearing oriented programs) and have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0. Students that are directly related to a member of the Springfield Noon Lions Club are not eligible. Go to www.Springfieldnoonlions.com.

Award: (10) $10,000 and (30) $5,000 scholarships

Criteria: For students who demonstrate leadership in community activities and school activities
and intend to major in areas that will lead to careers in health-related field. Applicant must be
attending college or university in the fall. For application and more information, please
go to www.tylenol.com. 

Criteria: This scholarship is awarded to three high school male or female seniors from local high schools. The award is based on academic standing, test scores, school leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Stop by the Guidance Office for an application.

Deadline: Not received yet/Check online

Criteria: Scholarships will be awarded to learning disabled high school seniors in Illinois to
continue their education in a two or four year college or university. (See packet for definition of
learning disability.) These scholarships will be awarded in part on the basis of financial need.

Criteria: Two scholarships will be awarded to Sangamon Couny high school seniors entering the University of Illinois at Champaign in the fall 2010 semester. Scholarships will be used for tuition. Candidates are required to write and essay and will be judged on academic, achievement, extra-curricular activities, need and their quality of expression in their essays. Stop by Guidance for an application.

Criteria: To be eligible, the student must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement as measured by test scores and high school records. There is no student application to complete for the Byrd Honors Scholarship program-students are automatically considered for this scholarship if they meet the eligibility requirements. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission selects awardees within each Illinois geographic district from among the highest-scoring, qualified applicants on the basis of : class rank and grade point average at the end of the third semester prior to graduation; and ACT, SAT I, or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores reported by the end of the third semester before high school graduation. The high school counselors submit information to ISAC for the selection process. Awarding of this scholarship is subject to federal funding. For more information, go to www.collegezone.com.

Criteria: Scholarships are awarded to a group of students, characterized by their special talents, leadership skills, unselfish ways, strong values and commitment to excellence. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, a minimum ACT score of 22/SAT score of 1100, shown involvement in school, athletic and community service, and enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university for the 2009-2010 school year. For more information, go to www.skandalaris.com.

Criteria: Applicant must be a resident of Sangamon County, demonstrate financial need (income guidelines are listed in app), and be accepted for full time enrollment at an accredited Illinois College, University or vocational school. Stop by Guidance for an application.

Criteria:  Students must be enrolled in a Sangamon County college or a graduate of a Sangamon County high school and majoring or intending to major in Finance or Business.  Write a 1500 word essay on one of the following topics:

-Compare the National Foreclosure Crisis to the Springfield market

-How has the subprime market affected Springfield

-Discuss the impact of the mortgage crisis on a home buyer in the Springfield market. 

Provide two letters of recommdation from a professor or guidance counselor.  The committee wil select the scholarship recipient.  For an application, stop by the Guidance Office.

Criteria: This is a loan program available to students between the ages of 16 and 25 residing in Christian, Morgan and Sangamon Counties. The maximum loan shall be two-thirds of the cost of one year in college. The amount of the the loan is based entirely on need. For an application, please stop by the Guidance Department.

Criteria: Two scholarships to male high school seniors who will attend the SIU-C in the Fall of 2011. Candidates will be evaluated upon two criteria: academic success (at least 3.4/4.0 gpa) and leadership in extracurricular involvement.  Stop by the Guidance Office or go to www.tkegamma@gmail.com for an application.

Criteria: Applicant must be incoming freshman male to the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign in the fall of 2007. Applications will be based on the following: academic achievements, high school activities, leadership positions, and community involvement.

Criteria:  The Psi Upsilon Fraternity awards scholarships totalling $3,000to four incoming male freshmen attending the U of I- Urbana/Champaign  in the fall who exhibit the highest moral, intellectual, and social excellence.  Applying for or receiving the grant in no way obligates you to join the fraternity.  Proof of finacial need is not required, and grants are non-renewable.   For more information and an application, go to www.illinipsiu.com.