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!


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. 
REMEMBER.....You should NEVER pay money to enter a scholarship contest.  These are almost always a scam!

Scholarships with Rolling Deadlines
Scholarships with Deadlines
College Board Opportunity Scholarships

Amount:  Varying up to $40,000

Criteria:  Junior who will graduate in 2021
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 2020.  

For more information and to apply, please visit the link below.
​
Vertical Divider
Army ROTC Scholarship
Amount:  2, 3 and 4-year scholarships which offer full tuition and fees and a monthly stipend.  Tuition can be used at any college that offers Army ROTC.
 Criteria:
◦       Be a U.S Citizen
◦       Be between 17-26 years old
◦       HS GPA of at least 2.5
◦       HS diploma or equivalent
◦       Min score of 1000 SAT(math/verbal 0r min of 19 ACT
◦       Meet physical standards
◦       Agree to accept commission and serve in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard
Deadline:  To appear before a selection board, applications must be submitted by October 7, 2019, December 30, 2019 or March 9,2020
For more information, view the flyer below, the powerpoint provided by Eastern IL University or go online! Application is available online. Any interested students are also encouraged to see their school counselor for more information!
Vertical Divider
ACT Registration Scholarship

Amount:  "Test Day" prize valued at $10,00.  Includes:  $5,000 non-renewable scholarship and a technology prize bundle consisting of a laptop computer (with warranty), 21.5” 4K display, laptop stand, external keyboard, external mouse, premium headphones, tablet computer, electronic stylus, software package, technology backpack and $650 cash gift card
​"Grand Prize" valued at $45,000.  Includes:  $40,000 Scholarship (4-years at $10,000) and the same technology package as described above. 

Criteria:  Sophomore,Junior and senior students who register to take the ACT exam on one of the test dates from September of 2019 to June of 2020. 

Deadline:  Applicable ACT Registration Deadlines for each exam.  

For more information, as well as to register for an upcoming ACT and to "Opt-In" to the scholarship opportunity, visit the link below! 
Vertical Divider
​JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
 
Amount:  $10,000 top prize with varying amounts for other finalists
           
Criteria:  High school student—submit an essay describing the political courage of a US elected official.
 
Deadline:  Received by January 17, 2020
 
More details can be found at the link below. Student must register online.
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
​
Amount: Varying Amounts 

Criteria: Senior who meets one of the following requirements: 

The dependent son or daughter of a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Guardsman or Marine who has become permanently disabled as a result of an operational mission or training accident. 

The dependent son or daughter of a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Guardsman or Marine who has been killed in action. 

The dependent son or daughter of a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Guardsman or Marine who has been classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). 

Deadline: Open?
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.
Vertical Divider
​Tuskegee Airman Scholarship
 
Amount:  Forty $1,500 scholarships
           
Criteria:  Senior student with GPA 3.0 or higher
 
Deadline:  Applications and letter of recommendation due by January 27, 2020
 
More details can be found at the link below.
The Busey Bank Community Scholarship Program
 
Amount:  $2000 renewable over 4 years
 
Criteria:  One senior will be chosen from the applicants to represent CM in this competition.  Student must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and must demonstrate positive leadership and character in academic, extra-curricular, and community/religious activities. 
 
Deadline:  Applications must be returned to the Counseling Office by 3:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2020. 
 
Applications available at the link below.
Madison County Farm Bureau Scholarship
 
Amount:  $500 per semester
 
Criteria:  Senior student who will be attending an accredited college in Illinois. Must be a Madison County Farm Bureau member, spouse of member or member's dependent
 
Deadline:  Postmarked by February 12, 2020
 
The application can be found at the link below.
​Southwestern Electric Cooperative Power for Progress Scholarship
 
Amount:  $1000
 
Criteria:  The applicant (or the applicant’s parent/legal guardian) must be an active member of Southwestern Electric Cooperative. The applicant must meet all academic requirements for admission to an accredited university, college, or technical school, and be admitted to that institution as a full-time student in 2020
 
Deadline:  Received by February 14, 2020
 
The application can be found at the link below.
Vertical Divider
Beta Sigma Psi & Martin Luther Scholarship
Two scholarships offered.  One university specific and one open. 
​
Amount:   $1500 to $2000
 
Criteria:  Applicants should be male, confirmed members of a Lutheran congregation, and starting college in Fall 2020
 
Deadline:  February 15, 2020
 
For more information, click the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs Scholarships
 
Amount:  5 different scholarships each valued at $1.000 (Club will award $12,000 total)
 
Criteria:  Male or Female senior planning to attend a college (Community or University) in IL and planning to major in one of the following fields: Art, Drama, Music, Education and Vocational Studies
 
Deadline: Postmarked by February 15, 2020
 
5 separate applications for each “major” linked below.  
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Phillips 66 Community Advisory Panel Scholarship
 
Amount:  $1000
 
Criteria:  Two scholarships possible: 1.  Senior planning to attend a Vocational or Technology focused education or career 2.  Senior planning to attend any 2 or 4 year post high school institution
Both scholarships have the following criteria:  community service/involvement, academic performance, education/career goals and financial need. 
 
Deadline: February 21, 2020
 
For more information, click the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Illinois Chemical Education Foundation
 
Amount:  $2000
 
Criteria:  Senior student planning to attend a post-secondary educational institution. Applicants should have an interest in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering or teaching high school chemistry.
 
Deadline:  Application packet postmarked by February 21, 2020
 
For more information and the application, click the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Greater St. Louis Mothers of Twins Club
 
Amount:  Non-renewable $1000
 
Criteria: Senior:  Must be a multiple birth child (twin, triplet, etc) Academic achievement, leadership, community service and financial need will be considered
 
Deadline: Application must be received by February 21, 2020
 
Applications may be obtained online at the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Farm Credit Illinois Agriculture Scholars
 
Amount:  Thirty $2,000 scholarships
 
Criteria:  Seniors planning to enroll in an agriculture-based college curriculum (agriculture, food systems, or environmental resources)
 
Deadline:  February 28, 2020
 
For more information, click the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Lewis & Clark Community College Scholarships
 
Amount:   Varying: $500 per semester up to full tuition and fees
 
Criteria:  Varying (Some based on career, academic achievement, ambition to further your education, etc.  Everyone planning to attend LC next year should apply!)
To view of list of available LC scholarships, view the list link below. 
​ 
Deadline:  March 1, 2020
 
Lewis and Clark uses an online scholarship format.  All scholarships are available at the Application link below.  To apply, the student will need his/her BlazerNet ID.  If a student cannot recall his/her BlazerNet ID, he/she must call (618)468-HELP (4357) or email helpdesk@lc.edu for retrieval.   (Students with dual credit should already have a BlazerNet ID and do not have to officially apply to LCCC.)
 
If you did not take dual credit courses while in high school, you will have to apply to LCCC before you can apply for scholarships.  Use the "Apply to be a student at LCCC" link below to complete this task before applying for scholarships.

Please keep in mind that some scholarships do require additional documentation such as letters of recommendation.  If you need a transcript to upload, you will need to contact Mrs. Trish Diveley through email to complete this task.  
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
Zonta Club of Alton-Wood River Young Women in Public Affairs Award
 
Amount:  $1000 local….$1000 district…..$4000 international
 
Criteria:  Women of age 16-19 who have active commitment to volunteerism, experience local/student government as well as leadership achievements.
All applications must be typed! 

Deadline:  Postmarked by March 1, 2020
 
Application available at the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
​Independent Order of Odd Fellow-Rebekah
 
Amount:   Unspecified
 
Criteria: Senior who is an  Illinois resident and U.S. citizen, maintained a C average and shows financial need
 
Deadline:  Received by March 1, 2020
 
For more information, click the link below.
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
3-M Firefighters' Association Scholarship
 
Amount:  $500
 
Criteria: High school senior from Madison, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties who plans to pursue a certification program in the fire service field. (Firefighting or EMS/Paramedic)
 
Deadline: March 2, 2020
 
For more information, click the link below.
Vertical Divider