SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Seniors are reminded to check the college/university websites for scholarships specific to those universities.  Merit scholarships for universities are available in the Fall.  Opportunities for these may be included on the admissions application but sometimes require a separate application.  Universities offer additional scholarships in the Spring Semester and these are usually specific to program of study. 

Good luck with your scholarship search!
Check this page often!
There will be scholarships added as received.  This page will update weekly.
Scholarships with Set Deadlines
​Contact your counselor with any questions about the scholarships posted below!
Carl C. Bell Memorial Award
Amount: 1 - $500 award, 2 - $250 awards

Criteria:Open to all high school students.  Essay Contest:
  • Discuss how your sense of belonging within your community changed or evolved recently with the epidemic of loneliness or other societal stressors.
  • Discuss solutions to encourage or inspire belongingness to make your community more secure and/or open to others.

Deadline: May 15, 2025
2025 BBB Student of Ethics Award
Amount: 2 - $2,500 scholarships

Criteria: Open to students in the St. Louis region with plans to attend an accredited college or trade school after graduation.  The scholarship is open to high school juniors with an anticipated graduation date of spring 2026.

Deadline: May 30, 2025
Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship
Amount: 10 individual $2,500 awards

Criteria:A graduating high school senior.  Annual gross family income cannot exceed 80% of the median income in your county.  Reference your county’s Median Family Income (MFI) information
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Deadline: June 3, 2025
Madison County Community Development Scholarship
Amount: 5 - $4,000 scholarships

Criteria: A graduating high school senior who resides in Madison County.  Eligibility and income requirements are in the application.

Deadline: June 20, 2025
SWIC agriculture studies scholarship
Amount: $3,000

Criteria: A graduating high school senior with plans to attend SWIC for the fall semester.  Must be a resident of Madison County, IL and have a focus in agriculture studies.  

Deadline: July 30, 2025
Missouri Eta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Scholarship
Amount: 5 - $1,000

Criteria: Incoming freshman student to Missouri State University for fall 2025. 

Deadline: September 21, 2025
Scholarships with Rolling Deadlines
REMEMBER.....You should NEVER pay money to enter a scholarship contest.  These are almost always a scam!

There are several scholarship search engines you can "join" at no charge.  We do not endorse these programs.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission supports a program called College Greenlight which contains some scholarship information.  Students can view this at the link below.  
ISAC also has grant programs and loan repayment programs for certain fields.  This is worth taking a look at to see if your field may qualify! 
Another more localized (Illinois and Missouri) scholarship center is the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.  In addition to scholarship opportunities, they offer interest free loans to students with financial need.   Applications for loans are usually due in mid April. 
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Amount:  Varying up to $40,000

Criteria:  Junior who will graduate in 2026
College Board, the same organization that sponsors the SAT, is offering a scholarship opportunity for juniors across the nation.  By completing 6 steps necessary for post-high school planning, you will be entered into a random drawing for a possible scholarship worth $40,000. 

Step 1:  Build a college list (600 random scholarships valued at $500)
Step 2:  Practice for the SAT (1500 scholarships valued at $1000)
Step 3:  Improve your SAT Score (150 scholarships valued at $2000)
Step 4:  Strengthen your college list (400 scholarships valued at $500)
Step 5:  Complete the FAFSA (800 scholarships valued at $1000)
Step 6:  Apply to college (500 scholarships valued at $1000)
Complete the Journey:  Complete all 6 steps for a chance at a $40,000 Scholarship (25 randomly selected each year!)

Deadline:  Each step has its own deadline. The first month for junior eligibility will be January 2025.  

For more information and to apply, please visit the link below.
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Illinois Gateways to Opportunities Scholarship
Amount:  Scholarship covers the cost of tuition dependent upon income level

Criteria:  We have been informed that our CM students who successfully completed the ECE course taught by Mrs. Neilson can apply regardless of the criteria below as long as the student is pursing a degree in Early Childhood Education.  
  • Educate and care for Illinois children.
  • Have been employed at their current center or home for a minimum of one year.
  • Have been employed at an ISBE funded PFA program for one full school year.
  • Work an average of 15 hours per week or more on a continuous employment basis (includes work and benefit time).
  • Meet wage requirements.
  • Be a citizen of the United States or legal alien.
  • Commit to work in early care and education (ECE) or school-age child care for a period of time, based on scholarship type

 Deadline:  Applications are accepted year-round; however scholarships are awarded on a first come basis.  

Application and additional information available at the link below.