Students - Please remember the preferred method for filling out any scholarship is to TYPE the information. You may use DocHub to fill out any .pdf file (see the instructions on the Director of Student Services main page). If you must fill out a scholarship by hand, be sure to use blue or black ink and write neatly. If using Google Docs. please be sure to make a copy of the document and fill out the copy.
If you would like me to submit the application on your behalf, the application must be given to me 5 days before the application deadline that is posted on this site. I will not be able to submit applications that are given to me after that deadline.
The Anna-Jonesboro Elks Lodge Trades Scholarship plans to provide a $1,000 scholarship to each of the four schools in Union County. You must have a GPA of at least 2.25 on a 4.0 scale. In addition to the application, you must also submit two letters of recommendation. If a school does not have a recipient then the money will be divided equally between the other schools. Additional information applies and can be found on the application at the bottom of this page. Deadline:
The Anna-Jonesboro Garden Club is offering a scholarship through their local organization. The scholarship is worth $500. The money will be paid directly to the college. It is open to all students who will be a freshman-senior in college. For more information please see the application procedures below. Deadline:
The Anna-Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #111 is awarding a scholarship to two (2) Anna-Jonesboro seniors and Shawnee seniors. The scholarship is for a student planning to attend a junior college, college, or university as a full-time student (minimum 12 credit hours). The $500 award ($250 for each semester of the first year of college) upon proof of enrollment. They will also be awarding a total of 2 trade school scholarships. One from each school. Deadline:
The Anna Moose Lodge #1346 (Larry Burnett Memorial) Scholarship offers two cash scholarships valued at $1,000 that will be awarded to students from Union County. The scholarship will be awarded in two installments of $500. Please see the link below for the application and further information. Deadline:
CBAI Scholarship - Every year, CBAI (Community Bankers Association of Illinois) awards over $20,000 in scholarships funds to high school seniors statewide through their Annual Essay Scholarship Program. The scholarship information and application are attached and will be DUE by March 3, 2026. You may turn in your essay and application to your local Legence Bank or by emailing the address on the application. The following is the information required for the bank portion of the CBAI Scholarship Application:
Sponsoring Bank/City: Anna-Jonesboro National Bank
Sponsoring Bank Contact/Title: Megan McClellen, Assistant VP/Loan Officer
Bank Address: 201 S. Main Street, Anna, Illinois 62906
Phone Number: 618-833-8506
Email: Marketing@legencebank.com or tjohnson@legencebank.com
Deadline:
Christy Lynn Schaefer - "Dear Shawnee Students, Parents, Teachers, and Administration: We are pleased to offer the Christy Lynn Schaefer Scholarship program again this year. This year, 2025, is the 35th year awarding a $1200 scholarship to a Shawnee Senior. We have included a list of past recipients of the scholarship. Who is eligible? Any Shawnee senior living in the school district who attends college or technical school in the school year following their senior year. Preference is given to students who are substantially involved in school and community activities, have volunteer experience, demonstrate good citizenship, and need financial support to further their education. The scholarship recipient will be announced at the Shawnee Honors Banquet. Scholarship awards will be distributed directly to the student in two $500 installments in Fall 2025 and again in Spring 2026 (paid directly to the student) upon proof of a schedule and school enrollment. Students may apply at: 2025 Application - CLS Scholarship - Google Forms https://forms.gle/5VvUfjnLXsLfVHXv7 All applications must be submitted electronically using the link provided; no paper applications will be accepted. Applications are due by Friday, March 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m. No late applications will be accepted. Deadline:
The Delta Theta Tau Scholarship is a $500 scholarship which is paid in two equal payments for the first and second semester of college. Student must maintain a 3.o while in college. Scholarships are awarded based upon financial need and academic achievements. Deadline:
The Farm Credit Illinois Agriculture Scholarship – Thirty $2,000 scholarships are available to high school seniors attending college next fall pursuing a major and career related to agriculture. Apply online at https://www.farmcreditil.com/About/community-engagement/Scholarships. Deadline:
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (25th Illinois) is offering a scholarship worth $1,000 that will be paid to the student's college. Students must attend an Illinois school. Application includes the need for two letters of recommendation and a list of extracurricular activities. Deadline:
Grand Tower Township will award one $1000 and one $500 scholarship awarded to a senior in the Shawnee school district. Applicants must meet all qualifications listed on the application. You will not be considered for the scholarship if you do not complete the essay. Deadline:
The Greg Yank scholarship is a scholarship established by Greg's wife, Catherine, after after he passed away in 2021. This scholarship is designed for students with a service mindset as Greg was a long-time member of the local Rotary club. The scholarship is open to current high school seniors, college students, and trade school students. The awards are worth $2,500 each. The application is below. Deadline:
The IAA Foundation Scholarship Program provides college scholarships to Illinois Farm Families, Illinois Farm Bureau members, spouses, or their children who major in agriculture, agribusiness, or an ag-related course of study. There are a total of 76 scholarships available. The application can be found on the IAA Foundation Website -https://www.iaafoundation.org/our-mission-at-work/student-scholarships/apply-for-fellowships/ Deadline: Varies by Scholarship Most Deadlines are February 15th
The Illinois Agri-Women scholarship program is offering several scholarships to females planning to pursue a career in agriculture. This year, the Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) organization is offering 4 scholarships for females studying agriculture. The Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) organization supports the agriculture industry, works for legislation to support and preserve family farms, communicates with other agriculture organizations, and strives to educate the public and promote agricultural awareness. One $1,500 IAW Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship will be offered to a student who is an agriculture education major who will be finishing their undergraduate degree in the next year. The application can be found at: https://forms.gle/fbqcT2rUMyyAAzfz9 Three $1,000 WCFA Agent of Change Scholarships are offered to students who have attended at least one Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference. Eligible applicants include past WCFA attendees and students who participated in the 2021 WCFA Online Curriculum. One scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior, one will be awarded to a current college student, and one scholarship will be awarded to a current graduate student. The application can be found at: https://forms.gle/VBnqPx7XxwGp8MWPA Applications can be submitted online. The deadline for submissions of completed applications is March 31, 2025. To access applications or find out more information about scholarships, visit Scholarships – WCFA (womenchangingthefaceofagriculture.com) or www.illinoisagriwomen.org. Deadline:
Illinois Insurance Careers is offering two $2,000 scholarships that will be paid directly to the student's choice of schools. To apply you must be a high school senior or a current college student in good academic standing. You must reside in Illinois or go to school in Illinois. You must also plan to major in business, finance, or a marketing degree with an interest in insurance. See the flyer at the bottom of the page for more information. Deadline:
The Illinois Pork Producers have three different scholarship opportunities that range in values from $1,000-$2,000. There are ten different scholarships being awards. There are different requirements for the three different categories of scholarships. To apply, go to: https://ilpork.com/youth/scholarships. Deadline:
The BigFuture Scholarship Program runs through College Board, the same organization that runs the PSAT/SAT. Creating an account provides students with opportunities to search careers, colleges, and ways to pay for college. They offer several different scholarships with varying deadlines. Visit https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ for more information.
The Illinois Sheriffs' Association is offering a $500 scholarship to assist students pursuing a higher education. The scholarship will cover tuition, books, and fees only. Recipients must plan to attend a school in Illinois. The application can be found below or by visiting www.ilsheriff.org. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question, and return all documentation to the Sheriff's office in their permanent county of residence. Deadline:
Jackson County Farm Bureau is offering scholarships that range in amounts from $500-$1500. To be eligible, you need to pursue a career in an agricultural related field, be a Jackson County resident, and be a member of the bureau. JCFB is willing to assist students in becoming Bureau members if you are not already one. Just contact their office. The application is below. Transcript and two letters of recommendation are required in addition to the application. Deadline:
J.T. Hill Scholarship - The family and friends of J.T. Hill have created this scholarship in memory of J.T. Hill. The scholarship is limited to $250 per request. At least one, $500 scholarship will be awarded annually. In some cases, additional scholarships may be awarded depending on the request and availability of funds. Deadline:
The Joann Toler Memorial Scholarship was created by her family shortly after her passing in Hanuary, 2025. She was a vital member of the Shawnee family for many years. In her name, one $200 scholarship will be awarded each year. Deadline:
The Kathryn G. Hansen is a $500 scholarship. Each year Illinois Administrative Professionals (IAP), at the University of Illinois, offer the Kathryn G. Hansen Scholarship to students planning to pursue higher education in a business-related field. Kathryn G. Hansen was one of the founding members of the State Universities Civil Service System and IAP and, in her honor, IAP created this scholarship. To be considered for the scholarship students should: Plan to enroll in college/university no later than the fall following high school graduation, have a strong commitment to pursuing higher education in a business-related field within the State of Illinois (with preference given to those attending the University of Illinois), have Involvement in co-curricular and community activities. possess academic achievement, be a resident of Illinois and be a US citizen. The online application can be found: https://publish.illinois.edu/illinois-admin-professionals/secretariat-%20scholarship/about-the-scholarship/ Deadline:
The McCain Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a Shawnee senior who is planning to pursue a career in education, medical, or criminal justice. Preference will be given to someone who is involved in extra-curricular activities. A committee of 3 will determine the recipient based on GPA and the short essay of 250-300 words explaining why you selected this career. More information can be found in the application below. Deadline:
Rotary International District 6510 Foundation 2020 The Rotary International District 6510 Scholarship will fund two scholarships to an accredited College or Trade School. Awards will be $2,500.00 each. Winners will be presented at the High School Senior event where Scholarships are awarded. Recipient will agree to have their award publicized throughout Rotary International District 6510. Application criteria includes: Reside in Rotary District 6510, Academics at B average or better, include current official transcript, Resume of Community Involvement and Volunteerism, Resume of School involvement – Service, Clubs, Athletics, etc., Educational and Career plan defined in a manner to assist Rotary International District 6510 to grow or improve, Include a Personal essay on the Rotary Motto “Service Above Self”. (750 word limit). The application is online and can be found at www.rotary6510.org. Deadline:
The Rural Health Inc. scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree or certificate in healthcare. In addition to completing the application, a 300 word essay and letter of recommendation from a staff member of Shawnee is required. Deadline:
The Shawnee Athletic Booster Club awards an annual scholarship of $250 to a student who has actively participated in athletics at Shawnee High School. Please find the application in the links below or stop by the Director of Student Services office. Deadline:
The Shawnee Development Council is a scholarship program geared toward training and education at accredited Illinois colleges, trade schools, or universities. Please read the eligibility requirements attached to the application. Deadline:
The Shawnee Education Association Scholarship includes one $250 scholarship awarded annually. The application information includes SAT score, academic awards received, and a brief essay. Please find the application in the links below or stop by the Director of Student Services office. Deadline:
The Southern Illinois Community Foundation Scholarship is offered to students in the southern 17 counties in Illinois. Applicants need to plan on attending one of the colleges in those 17 counties - SCC, JALC, SIUC, RLC, or SEIC. Go to https://www.sicf.org/ourfunds/southern17/ for more information or to apply. Deadline:
The Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition (SIFTC) is offering fifteen $1,500 scholarships for students in the SIFTC region who plan to major in education. To be eligible, yu must have a GPA of at least a 3.0, plan to declare a major in education, and plan to attend SIUC, SCC, JALC, or Southeastern Illinois College. The application is a Google Form - https://forms.gle/N6B9f1WYw7LpuS6L7. Deadline:
Townships of Illinois is offering seven $2000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who will be attending college in the state of Illinois. Applications will be accepted via email and all attachments must be in .pdf format. Your application must include an official transcript and you must also interview a member of a township board in order to complete the short essay. Please see the application for more information. A list of Grand Tower Township Board Members can be found at the top of the Grand Tower Township Scholarship Application. Deadline:
The Union County Farm Bureau Scholarship is available to students pursuing an agricultural field of study. The monetary scholarship will be paid prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester to the college/university in which the recipient is enrolled. There is more information available at the bottom of the page. Handwritten copies will not be accepted. More than one scholarship will be awarded. Deadline:
The Union County Hospital Auxiliary Alma Wilson Nursing Scholarship has a category for full-time students and one for part-time students. To receive a scholarship, you must be accepted into an accredited health care program. You must remain in good academic standing while in college. Ms. Wilson was a nurse at Union County Hospital for 23 years and in her memory the auxiliary continues to raise funds in her name. Deadline:
The Union County Women in Business Scholarship is a $500 scholarship. Qualifications to apply include: must be a senior in the top 40% of the class, must be accepted and plan to attend an institution of higher learning, must provide proof of enrollment. Please see below for details. The application process has changed this year. A resume is required rather than an actual application. Deadline:
The Willard Murrie (SIDEZ Scholarship) is a $500 scholarship given to a student residing in the SCC district. They hope to give out 3 scholarships this year. The recipient must be enrolled in a full-time program at SCC. Preference will be given to a student who does not have any other financial aid. Please see the application at the bottom of this page for more information. Deadline:
The Wolf Lake Community Church scholarship opportunity takes into consideration a student's leadership qualities, scholastic achievement, behavior, attitude, extra-curricular involvement, and personal contributions to the school and/or community. Applications can be found at the link below. Application Deadline:
Non-Scholarship Contest Opportunites for Junior High and High School
The VFW Patriot's Pen contest is open to students in grades 6-8. There are two parts to this contest. The first requires the student to fill out the short application. The second part requires a written essay of 300-400 words based on the topic, "How Are You Showing Patriotism And Support For Our Country." Winners selected at the local level may be selected to compete at district, state, and national levels. Deadline: October 31st
The Voice of Democracy scholarship competition requires students to write an essay that would be a 3-5 minute recording. Students participating at the school level read their essay which is judged by a team of faculty members. One is selected to record their essay and submit to the local VFW post. Please see below for details and application. Be sure to fill out the application in addition to turning in the essay. The topic for this year is "How Are You Showing Patriotism And Support For Our Country?" Deadline: October 31, 2025