February 13, 2024 – Spring is on its way and that means its scholarship season for many area high school seniors and college students. Below are a few state and local scholarships with deadlines approaching.
Illinois Bankers Association
The Illinois Bankers Association is currently accepting applications for its annual scholarship program, which is aimed at promoting excellence in the field of banking and developing a talent pool of future banking leaders. The Illinois Bankers Scholarship Fund awards scholarships in the amount of $1,000. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be high school graduates or undergraduate college students who are planning to pursue a career in the field of banking.
Applicants must also:
- Be sponsored by an IBA member financial institution and an accompanying bank officer. Banks may sponsor more than one applicant
- Offer proof of enrollment or admission letter from a college or university; all accredited in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities are eligible
- Provide GPA and school transcripts for use in the applications process
- Complete a 250-word essay
The deadline to submit a completed application is March 31. Interested students are encouraged to visit Illinois.bank for more information and to submit a scholarship application.
Illinois Conservation Foundation
Decatur YMCA Petrowsky Soccer Scholarship
Decatur Family YMCA is now accepting applications for the annual Petrowsky Soccer Scholarship. Each year, the YMCA selects two seniors in high school from the Decatur-area community, one male and one female, to receive a $500 scholarship payable to the college of the recipient’s choice. Scholarship applicants must have previously played soccer in the Decatur Family YMCA Youth Soccer League at some point in their career as a young athlete. Applicants are asked to complete the application and submit a 500-word essay about their experience with Y Soccer – specific essay requirements are outlined in the application.The application deadline is Friday, March 8, 2024. Download the application at http://decaturymca.org.
Ameren All In Scholarship
The Ameren All In Scholarship is a $10,000 renewable, annual grant for low-income students who live in the service areas of Ameren Missouri or Ameren Illinois and who are enrolled at any grade level in a nonprofit, 2- or 4-year accredited college or university in Missouri or Illinois. Grants are renewable for up to five years or ten semesters and preference will be given to scholars who are pursuing education in the STEM fields or in the Joint Engineering Program offered by the University of Missouri – St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis. Interested students should go to MyScholarshipCentral.org, follow the instructions to complete the General Application, and then submit the supplemental application for the Ameren All In Scholarship. Completed applications and all required supporting documents must be submitted by April 15. Awards will be announced in June.
History of the Heartland -Loren Doug Hagen Scholarship for MacArthur students
The annual $500 scholarship is intended to contribute toward the educational expenses of a graduating senior of MacArthur High School who will be attending a college or university. The scholarship recipient must have been a participant in student leadership. Additional preference is made for students who have some connection to military service, either a family member who served, or their own participation in a reserve program or ROTC.
MHS Seniors that have participated in any student leadership may call (217) 791-1385 or email aynproductions@yahoo.com for application information. The scholarship awardee will be announced in May.
Mt Zion Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
The scholarships are awarded to qualified seniors from the Mt. Zion School District or to the child of a Chamber member who completes the official application and fulfills the other criteria required.
- Must be in the current graduating class from Mt. Zion High School or if attending another high school must be the child of a dues-paying Mt. Zion Chamber member. If home-schooled must provide proof of eligibility.
- Must provide an acceptance letter from a post-secondary institution to pursue an associate or baccalaureate degree in a business-related field or other major or letter of acceptance from a trade school if pursuing a technical career.
- Must enroll as a full-time college student (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) or show proof of their full-time course load or full-time apprenticeship in a trade school.
- Must submit completed application, official high school transcripts, and other required documents to the Chamber by March 18, 2024.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (weighted scale) by the end of 7th semester.
- Must demonstrate service to the Macon County community.
- Must submit a separate page describing the service you have performed (include extra-curricular activities, church/community service, work experience, etc.).
- Must submit a separate page essay of at least 250 words describing the benefits of affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce in promoting business and business professionals.
Applications and all other required documents are due March 18th and are either emailed to mtzionilchamber@gmail.com or mailed to:
Mt. Zion Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 84
Mt. Zion, IL 62549
The winners will be notified by mail and presented at the Mt. Zion Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet scheduled for April 18, 2024.
