Illinois scholarships - Feb '25

Updated Feb 09, 2025

Apply below to the best Illinois scholarships for February 2025.

Get Up To $1,500

ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship

Missouri • Nebraska • South Dakota • Wisconsin • Illinois • Kansas • High school

The ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship offers $1,500 to high school seniors in six Midwest states. Apply online.

Deadline:

April 30, 2025

Get Up To $1,000

Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Award

Illinois • High school

The Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Award invites Illinois students to submit original poems for a chance to win $250+.

Deadline:

May 1, 2025

Get Up To $4,800

Edgar County Community Foundation Scholarships

Edgar County • Illinois • Freshmen

Edgar County Community Foundation offers scholarships up to $4,800 for local students based on merit, need, and activities.

Deadline:

March 7, 2025

Get Up To $2,500

Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship

Illinois • Restaurant/Culinary/Food Services • Food Sciences & Technology • Food & Nutrition • Hospitality • Travel & Tourism • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Win up to $2,500 with the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship for culinary and hospitality students.

Deadline:

May 7, 2025

Get Up To $5,000

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

Oak Park • River Forest • Illinois • Freshmen

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation offers scholarships up to $5,000 for local students based on merit and need.

Deadline:

February 17, 2025

Get Up To $250

Galesburg Community Foundation Scholarships

Knox County • Warren County • Illinois • Freshmen

Galesburg Community Foundation offers scholarships for Knox and Warren County students based on merit, need, and activities. Apply now!

Deadline:

February 28, 2025

Get Up To $5,000

Edwardsville Community Foundation Scholarships

Edwardsville • Illinois • Freshmen

Edwardsville Community Foundation offers $2,000+ scholarships for local students based on merit, need, or activities. One application for 50 awards.

Deadline:

March 1, 2025

Get Up To $20,000

ATLAS Fellow Scholarship Program

Chicago • New York • Teton County • Illinois • Wyoming • Accounting • Advertising • Agriculture • Business (MBA) • Business Administration • Economics • Finance • Hospitality • Human Resources • Management • Marketing • Operations Management • Public Relations • Restaurant/Culinary/Food Services • Sports Management • Travel & Tourism • Freshmen

The ATLAS Fellow Scholarship offers up to $20,000 for high school seniors in select cities pursuing financial services careers.

Deadline:

March 3, 2025

Get Up To $1,200

Chicago Engineers Foundation Awards for Graduating HS Seniors

Illinois • Engineering • High school • Freshmen

CEF awards $1,200 to Chicago high school seniors accepted into engineering programs with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and test scores.

Deadline:

April 1, 2025

Get Up To $250

Southern Illinois Community Foundation Scholarships

Alexander County • Franklin County • Gallatin County • Hamilton County • Hardin County • Jackson County • Jefferson County • Johnson County • Massac County • Perry County • Pope County • Pulaski County • Randolph County • Saline County • Union County • Williamson County • Whiteside County • Illinois • Freshmen

Southern Illinois Community Foundation offers scholarships based on merit, need, and activities. High chances for local students! Award: $250+.

Deadline:

February 28, 2025

Get Up To $2,500

Adult Scholarships

Macon County • Illinois • Age • Graduate Students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Adult Scholarships offer up to $2,500 for Macon County residents aged 22+ to support nontraditional students.

Deadline:

March 1, 2025

Get Up To $10,000

Community Foundation of Macon County Scholarships

Macon County • Illinois • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Apply for scholarships from the Community Foundation of Macon County. Local students can win up to $10,000 with an essay and recommendations.

Deadline:

March 1, 2025

Get Up To $1,000

Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation Scholarships

Christian County • Coles County • Effingham County • Moultrie County • Shelby County • Illinois • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation offers scholarships for local students. Apply online with an essay and recommendations.

Deadline:

March 18, 2025

Get Up To $20,000

CBC Spouses Education Scholarship

Alabama • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • District Of Columbia • Florida • Georgia • Illinois • Indiana • Louisiana • Maryland • Massachusetts • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Nevada • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Pennsylvania • South Carolina • Texas • Virginia • Washington • Wisconsin • For Black and/or African American students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship offers $2,500 to $20,000 for Black high school seniors pursuing higher education. Apply now!

Deadline:

March 29, 2025

Get Up To $2,500

DeKalb County Community Foundation Scholarships

DeKalb County • Illinois • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

DeKalb County Community Foundation offers 90+ scholarships for local students, supporting education and professional development.

Deadline:

April 1, 2025

Get Up To $3,500

GFAI Scholarship Experience

Illinois • Agricultural Science • Agriculture • Business Administration • Management • Freshmen • Juniors • Sophomores

The GFAI Scholarship offers $3,500 to Illinois students in grain handling and feed industries. Work experience and blogging required.

Deadline:

April 15, 2025

Get Up To $1,000

Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship

California • Connecticut • Delaware • Illinois • Florida • Massachusetts • Minnesota • Missouri • New Jersey • New York • Pennsylvania • Tennessee • Wisconsin • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship awards $1,000 for original works celebrating Italian heritage. Open to U.S. citizens of Italian descent.

Deadline:

April 15, 2025

Get Up To $23,000

Golden Apple Scholars Program in Illinois

Illinois • Teacher Education • Teaching • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors

The Golden Apple Scholars Program offers up to $23,000 in tuition assistance for aspiring teachers in Illinois.

Deadline:

April 1, 2025

Get Up To $250

Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley Scholarships

Kankakee County • Illinois • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Explore scholarships from the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley for college and vocational education. Apply by February 28th!

Deadline:

February 28, 2025

Get Up To $10,000

Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Scholarships

Sangamon County • Cass County • Christian County • Logan County • Macoupin County • Menard County • Montgomery County • Morgan County • Illinois • Freshmen

The Community Foundation offers $2,500+ scholarships for local students in several counties. High chances of winning! Apply now.

Deadline:

March 1, 2025

Get Up To $500

Sad Sacks Nursing Scholarship

Military • Illinois • Nursing • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Sad Sacks Nursing Scholarship offers $500 for nursing students, prioritizing dependents of veterans. Essay and recommendations required.

Deadline:

March 1, 2025

Get Up To $2,500

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois Scholarships

Woodford County • Tazewell County • Stark County • Putnam County • Peoria County • Marshall County • McHenry County • Illinois • Freshmen • Seniors • Sophomores • Juniors

Explore scholarships from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois for students based on merit, need, or activities. Apply online!

Deadline:

March 6, 2025

Get Up To $10,000

Community Foundation of East Central Illinois Scholarships

Champaign County • Coles County • Douglas County • Edgar County • Ford County • Moultrie County • Iroquois County • Piatt County • Vermilion County • Illinois • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Deadline:

March 24, 2025

Get Up To $2,000

CBC Spouses Essay Contest

Alabama • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • District Of Columbia • Florida • Illinois • Georgia • Indiana • Louisiana • Maryland • Massachusetts • New Jersey • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Nevada • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Texas • South Carolina • Virginia • Washington • Wisconsin • For Black and/or African American students • High school

The CBC Spouses Essay Contest offers up to $2,000 for African American high school juniors and seniors. Apply now!

Deadline:

March 29, 2025

Get Up To $1,500

Norwegian National League Scholarship

Illinois • High school

The Norwegian National League Scholarship offers up to $1,000 for children of Norwegian descent in grades 1-12 with a 3.0 GPA.

Deadline:

March 1, 2025

FAQ

In your personal statement for Illinois scholarships, you should include your academic achievements, career goals, reasons for applying for the scholarship, and how it will help you achieve your educational objectives. Be sure to convey your passion and commitment.

Some Illinois scholarships may be available to international students, but many are restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It's important to check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship.

Yes, there are many Illinois scholarships that are specific to certain regions or communities within the state. Local organizations, foundations, and educational institutions often offer scholarships tailored to residents of specific areas.

To apply for Illinois scholarships, you typically need to complete an application form, which may include personal information, academic records, and essays. Check the specific requirements for each scholarship you are interested in.

It's advisable to start applying for Illinois scholarships as early as possible, ideally during your junior year of high school or as soon as you decide to pursue higher education. Many scholarships have early deadlines.

Yes, you can apply for multiple Illinois scholarships. In fact, applying for several scholarships can increase your chances of receiving financial aid for your education.

Eligibility criteria for Illinois scholarships can vary widely depending on the specific scholarship. Common criteria include residency in Illinois, enrollment in an accredited institution, and sometimes academic performance or financial need.

Yes, many Illinois scholarships are legitimate and offered by reputable organizations, educational institutions, and government entities. It's important to research each scholarship to ensure its legitimacy.

You can find Illinois scholarships by searching on scholarship databases, educational institution websites, and local community organizations. A great resource to explore is Mos, which provides a comprehensive list of available scholarships.

Illinois scholarships are financial awards available to students who are residents of Illinois or who are attending educational institutions within the state. These scholarships can help cover tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.