2025-2026 Local & Regional Scholarships
(*Updated as scholarship info. received)
(*Updated as scholarship info. received)
The River Ridge Education Association awards scholarships every year to graduating seniors. Please see the application for complete details and instructions. Completed applications are due to Ms. B. no later than 3:00pm on March 21st. Due to scheduling conflicts, this scholarship has a much faster turnaround time than previous years, so the RREA appreciates all your hard work in putting your application together!
Two scholarships of $4,000 each, renewable for four years, are given to RR seniors. The selection committee is the River Ridge School Board, and submissions are anonymous.
Please review the cover letter for details and you can find the application here. You may return completed applications to Ms. B. no later than April 1, 2025. You don't need to worry about crossing your name out on the applications -- I will anonymize all applications before submitting them to the school board.
Seniors looking at entering the engineering field are invited to apply for the Fehr Graham scholarship! Five awards worth $2,500 each will be given to students pursuing a two- or four-year degree in engineering and environmental fields.
Eligibility:
Live within 50 miles of a Fehr Graham office (you do!)
Enroll in a two- or four-year college for the fall of 2025.
Be pursuing a degree in engineering (specifically water, wastewater, transportation, structural), landscape architecture, land surveying, geology, hydrogeology, assessment and remediation, or environmental health & safety.
You will be asked to respond to an essay prompt. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, provided that you maintain a 2.8 GPA in college.
For complete information and to apply, check out the Fehr Graham website!
Our scholarship process typically opens at the beginning of the calendar year. Apply for scholarships using our convenient online forms by clicking the buttons below. Follow the instructions for the scholarships on their respective pages. The requirements for each of our scholarships differ, so please be aware of the details associated with each form. If you require any assistance, please contact us at sarah@fornwil.org.
YWCA Northwestern IllinoisBright Future Scholarship (1/16/26)
YWCA Northwestern Illinois will present $1,500 Bright Future Scholarships to three female high school seniors residing in Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson or Jo Daviess Counties, demonstrating the leadership characteristics and potential to affect positive change. Applications and information can be found at: https://www.ywcanwil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-Bright-Future-Scholarship-Application.pdf
Pearl City Elevator has THREE scholarships available! They are as follows:
$500 for a senior pursuing a two- or four-year degree in livestock production, crop production, or closely related field
$500 for a senior pursuing higher education, based on scholastic achievement, leadership, need, and community involvement
$500 for a student pursuing education in a trade or other skilled field (may include certificate programs including but not limited to welding, mechanics, aviation, and CDL driving programs)
Complete information and application instructions can be found here. Keep in mind that you will need to mail your application, so have it in the mailbox a bit before the deadline. Please see Ms. B. with any questions!
Seniors looking to pursue a career in automotive and/or technical trades OR looking to enter a 2-year or 4-year college (with at least one parent or guardian employed at a new car dealership) are eligible for this scholarship!
The application is completed online https://quadcityautoshow.com/scholarship/ or grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=qccfscholarships. Please see Mr. Walters to receive a brochure that contains more information and complete eligibility requirements!
https://jcecoop.com/scholarship-opportunities
In support of students from our service territory who choose to continue their education, JCE Co-op has the JCE Scholarship Program. The cooperative offers five different scholarships to help support our youth, area students and communities. We encourage area students to apply for these scholarships. Both 4 year colleges, 2 year colleges, and trade schools.
JCE Two-year/Technical School Scholarships (3/1/26
Up to four $1,000 Two-year/Technical School Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. Similar to the JCE Scholarships, these awards go to outstanding scholastic students who are high school seniors and sons or daughters of JCE Co-op members but who plan to attend a two-year college or technical program. One scholarship is awarded in each of the counties the cooperative serves including Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside and Henry. Scholarships are awarded based on grade point average, college entrance exam scores, work and volunteer experience, participation in school and community activities, and two short essay statements. Applications can be found at https://jcecoop.com/form/2026-two-year-technical-scholars
Morrison Tech in Morrison, IL offers associates degrees in Building & Highway Construction, Computer Aided Design & Drafting, Network Administration, and their newest program, Automation & Intelligent Controls Processes.
The Counselor's Choice Scholarship awards $1,000 to a graduating senior who has enrolled at Morrison Tech for the Fall of 2025. This scholarship may go to one students or be split among several students. To be considered for this scholarship opportunity, please inform Ms. Brzezinski of your enrollment at Morrison Tech by March 1, 2025.
For more information on the college and programs offered, visit morrisontech.edu.
A $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a female student pursuing a four-year degree in any engineering field. Please see their website for the application and complete details!
Seven scholarships worth $2,000 each!
Must be attending college/university in Illinois. Please see the application for complete details. If you decide to apply for this scholarship, Ms. B. will need to send your transcript separately so please let her know when you're ready to have that sent!
The CBAI Foundation for Community Banking is offering its annual scholarship/essay writing contest to Illinois high school seniors. The winner will receive up to $4,000 scholarship renewable for four years. Additional $1,000 and $500 one-time awards may be offered. This essay competition is open to Illinois seniors whose family banks at a CBAI member bank. If interested you will need to contact your bank to see if they are sponsoring students for this scholarship. Participating banks: https://www.cbai.com/Online/Online/CBAI_Foundation/2025ParticipatingBanks.aspx * Note this scholarship should be turned into participating bank in time for them to deliver to foundation headquarters.
For complete information, essay question, and application, please refer to this link: CBAI SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship from the Galena Territory Association is for seniors attending Galena, River Ridge, and Scales Mound. The scholarship money ($2,000) can be used for a two or four year college as well as trade and technical schools!
You can find and print out the application here.
This scholarship is worth $2,500 and is open to members of the Class of 2025 in Galena, Scales Mound, or River Ridge high schools!
If you are planning on studying any of the following areas after high school, you are encouraged to apply:
Massage therapy
Esthetics
Nail technician
Cosmetology
Yoga/wellness instruction
Please see the application for complete details and information.
This scholarship is worth $1,000 and is designed to encourage graduating seniors to continue activities in the arts. Though you do not have to major in any of the arts in college, you should plan on continuing your participation in the arts after high school.
Applications are accepted via email or mail. Please see the application for complete details and information.
Will award to (4) $1000 scholarships to Northwestern Illinois High School graduates seeking a career in the Human Service field (social work, psychology, sociology or other human service specialties). Students must plan to enroll the beginning in the fall in a full-time course of study at an accredited 2 or 4 Year university in Illinois with the declared major being one that falls within the human services field. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Sinnissippi College Scholarship Selection Committee. Application due March 14.
This scholarship is worth $1,000 and four awards are possible among students from River Ridge, Warren, Stockton, and any student who has attended the CTE.
Applications are accepted via mail, so please be sure to get it sent out in time for the due date!. Please see the application for complete details and information.
This grant is open to students pursuing education through a two-year college, four-year college, trade school, and apprenticeship. This year, the grant is shifting to students who are focused on more ag-centered careers and financial need.
Applications are accepted via email or mail. Please see the application for complete details and information.
This program is a FREE two-year training to become a court reporter in the state of Illinois. Please see the website for all program information, application process, etc.
Several opportunities are available through the Midwest Medical Center Loan/Scholarship program thanks to several benefactors. The money received through this program may be a scholarship OR a loan depending on certain circumstances, so please read the first page of the application thoroughly to understand the conditions.
Complete details and instructions can be found in the application packet!
Music scholarships are available for graduating seniors in the stateline area. Students applying for the scholarship must be enrolling in a music major curriculum (performance, production, education, etc.) at a two-year or four-year college.
Please see the information sheet to find complete information, including the audition time/date and how to apply.
Eligibility includes being a Jo Daviess County resident as well as a student who plans to study agriculture or agricultural related studies at a two or four year program. The number of scholarships awarded and the amount awarded depend on current funds.
Please see the application for full details and instructions.
To be eligible, you must have been a Jo Daviess County resident for at least one year and be a current high school senior. You must be accepted into a two or four year program, but the field of study does not matter.
Please see the application for full details and instructions!
Please see the application packet for complete instructions. Once you have completed all steps, bring it to Ms. B. for the counselor signature and then mail it to the address listed on the application.
Miner's Lodge #273 in Galena is once again offering the John and Dee Vincent Memorial Scholarship worth $1,000. Please see the application for complete details and instructions.
This is a $5,000 award that has River Ridge graduates as the first preference of recipient! If you are attending Highland in the fall of 2025, you are highly encouraged to submit an application for this scholarship. You may find the application here.
Keep in mind that you will need to mail this application to Highland, so it's recommended that you get everything together ahead of the deadline to ensure your application arrives by the due date. Please see Ms. B. with any questions!
This scholarship may go to one or two River Ridge seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. If the scholarship goes to one student, the amount awarded is $1,000 and $500 each if two students are selected. Students may attend any kind of postsecondary education/preparation program for the healthcare field; you are not limited to a four-year college!
You can find the application here. The application and essay are due to Ms. B. no later than April 1, 2025.
UFP Ventures is looking to provide students with a sponsorship that is designed to help fund those pursuing a technical diploma in Industrial Mechanics or a two-year degree in Electromechanical. This is an awesome opportunity to get paid to attend school while also gaining hands-on skills with UFP Ventures!
Please see the application packet for complete eligibility and application information.
This scholarship is a one-time award, and applications must be sent through the mail and received by April 1 in order to be eligible.
For complete instructions and eligibility information, please refer to this document.
This scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 that will go to a Jo Daviess County senior who plans on studying counseling or social work.
For complete instructions and the application, click here.
Awards vary in amount, but will be at least $5,000. These scholarships are designated for students pursuing further education in agriculture and/or related fields.
The application can be found here. Please be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before completing the application!
This scholarship is designed for area students who are planning on studying a field related to sight and sound, such as audiology, optometry, blind/deaf education, etc.
The application and complete information can be found on the Galena Lions website.
A minimum of 10 scholarships worth $500 each will be given to local high school seniors! Please see the application packet for complete information. You are welcome to bring the completed application to a Citizens State Bank location OR you can give it to Ms. B. to send out in the mail. If you would like to send it through the mail, please drop off your completed application several days in advance of the April 11 deadline to ensure that it will get there in time!
55 scholarships worth $2,000 each! These scholarships are designed for students who:
are high school seniors or college students continuing their education
enrolled at a college, university, community college, or technical school for the Fall 2025 term in the US or Ontario, Canada
pursuing a degree or certificate in an agriculture or business field
The scholarship application can be found at this link.
A scholarship of $1,500, one from Elizabeth and one from Hanover, will be awarded to a River Ridge senior for students pursuing education through a community college, tech program, or trade school.
In order to apply, please write a 500 word essay responding to the prompt "What is service to your community?" Please do not include your name within your essay. Essays may be brought directly to Village Hall at 200 E. Myrtle St or emailed to Karla Rolwes at villageofelizabeth@gmail.com for Elizabeth, and emailed to villagehall@villageofhanover.com for Hanover. Essays are due no later than April 14.
The Elizabeth Historical Society has put together a scholarship fund to honor the memory of Virginia Holidy, a 1949 graduate of Elizabeth High School. The scholarship is worth $1,000 and is renewable up to four years.
Eligibility requirements:
Senior, graduating from River Ridge
Must have performed community service of some kind
Must plan to continue their education (two year, four year, etc.)
Must present a plan for the next step of life (how will you use the scholarship funds?)
Financial need may be taken into consideration
For complete instructions, please see the application packet.
This scholarship is for Jo Daviess County seniors who intend to pursue an education at a two-year or four-year college. The scholarship recipient is selected by members of the Scales Mound School Board, plus the Scales Mound principal and superintendent.
Please see the press release for complete information. Note that you need to mail this application to Scales Mound, so be sure to send it out prior to the April 30 deadline!
JCE Director Scholarship (May 1, 2026)
Deadline: May 1, 2026
JCE Director Scholarship
Ten Director's Scholarships in the amount of $500 to be awarded by drawings at the cooperative's Annual Meeting of Members (TBD). One scholarship is awarded in each of the counties. Students who receive another scholarship from JCE Co-op are not eligible to receive a Director's Scholarship. Applications can be found at https://jcecoop.com/form/2026-jce-director-s-scholarship-
Apple River State Bank is once again awarding a scholarship of $1,000 to a River Ridge senior! Completed applications must be returned to Ms. B. no later than May 2.
For complete instructions and to find the application, please click here.