Financial Aid

Scholarships for Seniors

Listed are various private scholarship opportunities, organized by month of deadline date. Scholarships will be added throughout the year. Please check back often for the latest opportunities. Remember to pay attention to deadlines (postmark and received by dates). Allow ample time for delivery and processing. If letters of recommendation are required, you must personally ask your counselor/teacher. Be sure to give them ample time to complete the letter and indicate date required.

Updated 9/11/26

Ongoing Scholarships

COLLEGE BOARD OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS Open to all students. Applying to college is a complicated process, so college board created a program that guides you through it. It doesn't require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Complete key steps along your path to college for a chance to earn scholarships. Visit College Board Opportunity Scholarships

GOLDEN APPLE SCHOLARS OF ILLINOIS (four year total financial assistance = approx. $23,000)…Students with at least a 2.5 GPA interested in becoming teachers in the State of Illinois. Unofficial copies of high school or college transcripts are accepted. Golden Apple Scholars must agree to teach for five years in an Illinois school of need. To view a list of schools of need and to apply, visit: www.goldenapple.org

September

ACORN EQUALITY FUND The organization provides academic scholarships designed to provide financial support for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students, allies, or the children of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender parents. Applications must be postmark by Friday, September 25, 2026. To access the application, click the link at: Acorn Equality Fund

COCA-COLA SCHOLARS The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. To access the application and for more information, click the link at Coca-Cola Scholars. The deadline to apply is September 30 4pm.

October

QUESTBRIDGE NATIONAL COLLEGE MATCH Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach? The QuestBridge National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a typical family of four. Visit QuestBridge for participating colleges, eligibility requirements, and the application. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2026.

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition is open to high school students. To enter, submit an audio essay on the following theme: “What a Vereran Taught Me About America.” To access the application and for more information, click the link at VFW Youth Scholarship. The deadline to apply is October 31. Applications must be submitted to: VFW Post 2055,1826 S. Pine St, Centralia, IL 62801

December

THOMAS H. MOORE IEC MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS - Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors whose parent(s) are an Illinois electric co-op member. A separate scholarship, the LaVern and Nola McEntire Lineworker’s Scholarship, will help pay for costs to attend lineworker school conducted by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives in conjunction with Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, IL. The application deadline is December 31. To submit an application or for more details, visit here.

January

CHILDREN OF VETERANS TUITION WAVER... This is an in-state tuition waver for any University of Illinois Campus. It is offered to any child of a veteran. If interested, find more information and the application here.

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