Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Scholarships

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Scholarships

Please visit and click on Scholarships for more information about the scholarships listed. Applications must be completed online at this address. Most applications have a March 1stdeadline. Scholarships are grouped according to eligibility and focus area.

ACADEMICS AND FINANCIAL NEED

Dorothy Cleland Memorial NSDAR Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior from Winnebago County, GPA of at least 3.8/4.0. Must demonstrateoutstanding leadership, dependability, citizenship, and financial need (EFC of no more than $10,000.) Deadline: March 1

Keith Maffioli Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating seniors from a Boone, Stephenson, Ogle or Winnebago County School who has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 and shows financial need. (Financial need is defined as having an EFC of less than $10,000 for this scholarship.) Plans to attend a college (including technical, business and community colleges) or university. Deadline: March 1

Senior Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior from a Rockford District #205 high school who has academic potential and financial need. Applicants must plan to attend a college, university or other post-secondary institution and be nominated by their high school principal. One student will be notified before application opens. Deadline: March 1

AFRICAN AMERICAN

Pi Gamma Omega Scholarship

Criteria: Female African American graduating senior from a Winnebago County high school with a GPA of at least 2.7/4.0 who will attend a two-or-four year college or university. Applicant must exhibit a dedication to academic excellence, a zest for life, a sense of purpose and a commitment to community service. Deadline: March 1

Taus Community Endowment

Criteria: Female African-American graduating high school senior within Winnebago County who has a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0 and demonstrates community and school involvement. Deadline: March 1

Era L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship

Criteria: Male African-American graduating senior from a District #205 public high school with a GPA of at least 2.9/4.0 who has been involved in community service and volunteerism. Applicant must share Era’s values including the importance of family, service to one’s community and the compassionate treatment of others. Deadline: March 1

Dr. Gussie M. Ware, Jr. Scholarship

Criteria: Female African American graduating high school senior who has been accepted into a two or four-year college or university or a past Dr. Ware Scholarship recipient who is currently enrolled in college. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0 and have a permanent address in Winnebago County or be a relative of Dr. Gussie M. Ware. Graduate students are not eligible. Deadline: March 1

ARTS

William R. Durham Drama/Theater Scholarship

Criteria: High school graduate or graduating senior with a permanent address within Winnebago or Boone county with a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 who plans to attend an accredited four year college or university to obtain an M.A. or B.A.. Applicant must intend to teach theater or work professionally as a performer or technician in theater and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 while receiving the award. Deadline: March 1

Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship Grant

Criteria: Graduating senior from a public or private school in Boone, Ogle, or Winnebago County who plans to pursue a degree in Visual Arts, Visual Art Education, or Visual Art History. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.75/4.0 and must show involvement in organizations and activities that focus on the visual arts. Deadline: March 1

Rod MacDonald Scholarship

Criteria: Applicants must be a graduating senior from a private, public, or home school in Winnebago County, be an active participant on any aspect of theater productions and pursuing a degree in Theater. Deadline: March 1

Joan Stonecipher Scholarship

Full scholarship (unlimited classes for two seminars, September to May) at the School of Rockford Dance Company. By audition only. This scholarship does not have an online application. For more information, contact theRockford Dance Company at 815-963-3341. Deadline decided by committee.

My Heart is in Art Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating high school senior, living in Boone, Stephenson, or Winnebago County who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Visual Arts or Visual Arts Education. GPA must be at least 3.5/4.0. Applicant must intend to pursue a career in the Visual Arts or Visual Arts Education and must submit three examples of their work within the visual arts. Please label with applicant’s name, phone number, and scholarship name. Deadline: March 1

Diane Thompson-Wells Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: A graduating high school senior or current four-year college or university student who has a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0, has financial need and is a Marching member of the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. IMPORTANT NOTE: This scholarship requires two recommendations, one of which must be from an instructor familiar with the applicant’s musical talents. Deadline: May 15

ATHLETICS

Roger L. Ekstrom Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Guilford High School graduating senior, male or female, has a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0, who is a member of the Guilford Golf Team. Student plans to attend a college or university. Deadline: March 1

John E. Lindley Memorial Swim Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating Rockford public or private school senior who has been on the high school swim team for three or more years including the senior year. Applicant must exhibit a high degree of integrity and have financial need. Deadline: March 1

May-Cassioppi Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior swimmer or diver at Guilford High School who has been on the team for three or more years including their senior year. (If an applicant is unable to participate during their senior year due to injury, they may still apply.) Applicant must exhibit character traits of strength, discipline, leadership, teamwork and loyalty and plan to attend a college, university, junior college or trade school. Financial need will be considered. IMPORTANT NOTE: One of the two required recommendation forms must be from the applicant’s swimming/diving coach. Deadline: March 1

Deborah Jean Rydberg Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating female senior athletes at Guilford High School who have a GPA of at least 2.3/4.0, plan to attend college, and have a strong work ethic. IMPORTANT NOTE: One of the two required recommendation forms must be from the Guilford athletic coach. Deadline: March 1

Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: An individual who is a graduating high school senior in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle or Stephenson County, who played at least three years of baseball or softball in high school, including senior year, will major in a sports related field in college, and has a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Deadline: March 1

BUSINESS

Richard Dopp Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior from a public or private high school (or a home schooled student) residing in Boone, Ogle, Rock, Stephenson or Winnebago County. Applicant must have a GPA of at least 2.0/4.0 and plan to pursue a degree in accounting or a medical field. Preference may be given to a candidate who will pursue cancer research. Deadline: March 1

International Management Council (IMC) Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior residing in Winnebago County who is pursuing a degree in business. Applicant must have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 and have been active in community service. Deadline: March 1

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation

Criteria: Applicant must be a graduate of or graduating senior from any high school located in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago counties, and a resident of one of these counties. Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75/4.00 and intend to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Science degree, or an Associate degree. The applicant’s financial need, community involvement, and demonstrated interest in business or engineering studies as a career will be positive factors during the recipient selection process. Deadline: March 1

Women of Today’s Manufacturing

Criteria: A male or female resident of Ogle, Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, or Rock County who is attending or plans to attend a college, university, or trade/technical school. Applicant must demonstrate how their course work will impact manufacturing technology in the region. Deadline: March 1

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE SCIENCE

Terrance Freeman Sr. Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Applicants can be graduating high school seniors, current college students or students returning to college with a permanent address in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County. Must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hoursand have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Financial need will be considered. Can major in any field but preference given to IAFF Local 413 Firefighters and their families; Students can re-apply. Deadline: March 1

Phyllis Howard Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Applicants can be graduating high school seniors, current college students or students returning to college with a permanent address in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County. Must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours and have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Financial need will be considered. Can major in any field but preference given to IAFF Local 413 Firefighters and their families; Students can re-apply. Deadline: March 1

Lieutenant Kelli Ingardona Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Applicants can be graduating high school seniors, current college students or students returning to college with a permanent address in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County. Must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours and have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Financial need will be considered. Can major in any field but preference given to IAFF Local 413 Firefighters and their families; Students can re-apply. Deadline: March 1

Tyler Kinison Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Applicants can be graduating high school seniors, current college students or students returning to college with a permanent address in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County. Must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours and have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Financial need will be considered. Can major in any field but preference given to IAFF Local 413 Firefighters and their families; Students can re-apply. Deadline: March 1

FINANCIAL NEED

Northwest Community Center Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior or a graduate from a Rockford high school, who has a GPA of at least 2.0/4.0, demonstrates financial need and plans to attend a college, university or trade school. Applicants must be residents of northwest Rockford or have a history of involvement with Northwest Community Center as either a volunteer or participant. Past recipients of this scholarship may reapply. Deadline: March 1

Community Foundation Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior from Winnebago county with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and who shows financial need. (Financial need is defined as having an EFC of less than 3,000 for this scholarship.) May attend a college, university or trade school. Renewable for four years as long as criteria are met. Deadline: March 1

ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY

Howard D. Colman Scholarship

Criteria: An individual who is a graduating high school senior, residing in Boone or Winnebago County, who will major in Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Science, or a comparable technology field. Applicant must have a 3.5/4.0 GPA and personify the innovative spirit of Howard Colman. Deadline:March 1

First year award is $2,500. This scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years and could be worth as much as $32,500. Recipients must be willing to accept full-time summer internship offers through the Community Foundation and return to the Rockford area upon graduation for at least three years.

Geoffrey R. Laird Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: A male graduating high school senior or a current college student under the age of 23 who is majoring in math, science, or computer technology. Must have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0, demonstrate financial need and be a resident of Winnebago County. Deadline: March 1

William Piggott Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior residing in Boone, McHenry, or Winnebago county and majoring in Engineering. Deadline: March 1

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation

Leopold Education Project Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating high school senior or high school graduate who is enrolled or planning to enroll in full-time course of study at an accredited four-year college or university in a natural resource field such as: fish or wildlife biology, conservation or management, air quality, botany, conservation education, ecology, forestry, hydrology, soils, pollution control or water quality. Student must have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 and have their permanent address in Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will or Winnebago counties. No application online. For more information contact Jennifer Becker at 815-544-2677 ext. 3. Deadline: March 15

GENERAL

Richard L. Bernardi Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: An individual who will be attending Rock Valley College in the upcoming year and is committed to completing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university. Applicant must demonstrate enthusiasm and leadership and have a GPA of at least 2.0. Deadline: March 1

Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship

Criteria: Current college student or non-traditional student with a permanent address within Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago County who is attending or plans to attend an accredited two or four year school. Applicant must exhibit character, scholastic achievement and financial need. (Financial need is defined as having an EFC of less than 15,000 for this scholarship.) Deadline: March 1

Ernest and Charlene Stachowiak Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: High school principals in Winnebago and Boone Counties may nominate one senior student from their respective schools to apply for this scholarship. Current college students and non-traditional students may also apply without nomination. All applicants must have a permanent address in Winnebago or Boone County, have a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0, demonstrate financial need, and exhibit sincerity, high character, and the ability to overcome obstacles. One student will be chosen and notified before application opens. Deadline: March 1

HEALTH AND MEDICAL

Richard Dopp Memorial Scholarship

Richard J. Schnell Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: An individual who has been accepted into or is enrolled in an American Dental Association accredited dental or dental hygiene program or a graduate post-doctoral program in the United States. Must show evidence of financial need. Applicants may reside anywhere within the United States. Deadline: July 1

MUSIC

Kim and Ruth MacCloskey RAMI Music Scholarship Fund

Criteria: Applicant must be a graduating high school senior in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County Applicant must demonstrate their ongoing commitment to further their music education and to remain actively involved in their community through music. Applicants need not major or minor in music at the collegiate level. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0. Applicants must have financial need. Preference will be given to students who will attend a local school such as Rock Valley College, Rockford University or Northern Illinois University and to candidates with a physical disability. At least one of the two required recommendation forms must be from a music teacher/instructor/conductor. Applicant must submit a recorded audio or video audition of their musical performance (not to exceed five minutes). Please label with applicant’s name, phone number and scholarship name. Recording must be received by 5:00 pm on deadline date. Deadline: March 1

Gary S. Wilmer Memorial Trust/RAMI Music Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating senior from Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County who has a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0, plans to pursue a degree in music performance, education or composition and is actively involved in school or community musical groups. At least one of the two required recommendations must be from a music teacher. Applicant must submit a performance tape or CD. Not to exceed five minutes.Please label with applicant’s name, phone number and scholarship name. Drop off at Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, 946 N. 2nd St., Rockford, IL 61107. Recording must be received by 5:00 pm of deadline date. Deadline: March 1

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Margaret T. Craig Community Service Scholarship

Criteria: High school graduate under the age of 23 or a graduating senior with a permanent address in Winnebago County planning to pursue a two or four-year degree at an accredited college, university or trade school who demonstrates, through their community involvement, a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for people in their school, community and county. Minimum GPA of 2.75. Students may reapply for this scholarship in subsequent years. Applicants must be a member of at least one organization that includes community service as a significant part of their mission and have completed at least 50 hours of community service during their high school career. Deadline:March 1

Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Applicants must be a graduating male or female senior from a public or private high school located in Boone, Stephenson, or Winnebago Counties in Illinois. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0, must reflect Amanda’s compassionate and caring nature, must have played a leadership role in implementing a project to address domestic abuse or teen dating violence, and must describe that project in the essay portion of the scholarship application. Deadline: March 1

League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating public high school senior residing in Boone or Winnebago County who is planning to attend a college or university. Must exhibit financial need and be actively involved in social studies organizations, clubs and classes such as student government, political campaigns, social service and community service. Deadline: March 1

SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY

Nancy Kalchbrenner Scholarship

Criteria: Graduating high school senior from a Rockford District 205 high school, who is a first generation college student (i.e., applicant’s parents, grandparents, etc. did not graduate with a degree from a post-secondary institution). Applicant must have a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0 and demonstrate the ability to achieve goals, and balance work, school, and volunteer activities. Deadline: March 1