"Outside Scholarships" refer to awards provided by an entity outside of Lake Forest College.
These scholarships might be from a parents' employer, community organization, philanthropic group, etc. The College does not specifically endorse any of these scholarships, nor do we play any part in the requirements, selection or payment of funds listed here. While we believe that the resources below are worthwhile, we do not guarantee the authenticity of the information or websites, and do not endorse the information or services offered.
In the early weeks of the 2024-2025 academic year, our records show that 133 Lake Forest students received at least one scholarship from an outside source this academic year, totaling over $650,000 ... nearly $5000 per person! Last year, approximately 200 students received over $1.3M in total scholarships from outside sources.
If you receive funds from a source other than the College, please notify our office. Such “outside scholarships” will normally reduce the amount your family pays or the loans you use. In some cases, it affects your loan or work-study eligibility. On rare occasions it affects a College need-based grants.
October Deadlines:
Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship >> October 18
Two scholarship levels: Leadership Scholarships of $1000 and $2500, and True Inspiration Scholarships of $25,000.
Requirements:
- Be an employee at a franchised, company-owned / affiliated Chick-fil-A restaurant
- Be a Team Member at the time award is presented
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Be recommended by an Operator, Interim Manager or Executive General Manager
- Show active involvement in community service in the 12 months prior to application
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or 3.0 (varies by scholarship)
- See full description/specifics on web site
Soros Fellowship for New Americans >> October 31
Each year, this fund invests in the graduate education of 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture or their academic field. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years.
Requirements (partial list only; see web site for complete details):
- must be 30 years of age or younger as of October 31
- hold or will have a bachelor’s degree as of the September 2025
- both birth parents must have been born outside of the US as non-US citizens
- must be a “new American” as defined on the web site (examples include):
- you have been naturalized as a US citizen
- you are or will be a permanent resident
- you were born outside of the U.S. and later adopted by American parents
- you have been or will be granted deferred action under the DACA program
November Deadlines:
Scholarship America Dream Award - December 6, 3:00 (central time)
Requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age and a current college undergraduate, enroll for the entire 2025-2026 academic year.
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or an individual granted DACA status.
- Be studying to obtain their first Associate’s or first Bachelor’s degree.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Demonstrate financial need.
Elks National Foundation, Most Valuable Student Scholarhip Program - November 12
480 scholarships of $1000/year; 20 scholarships of $7500/year
Requirements:
- Current HS seniors who are U.S. citizens
- Must enroll as a full-time student and pursue a four-year degree in the U.S.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship - December 2
Up to $7,500/year
This program seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.
Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or national
- Be a sophomore (3-4 semesters remaining) or junior (1-2 semesters remaining)
- Intend to pursue careers in math, the natural sciences, or engineering
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Up to four Lake Forest candidates may be nominated
Contact Alexandra Olson, College Representative (aolson@lakeforest.edu) for additional information
Allied Van Lines Scholarship - December 15
Three scholarships of $1000 each
Submit a brief essay of between 400 and 800 words, detailing your interest in a career in logistics/supply chain management.
Requirements:
- U.S. Citizen and permanent residents who are enrolled as full-time student
- Completing a degree in logistics, supply chain management, business, or a similar field
- Not open to employees, professional affiliates & agents of Allied Van Lines
Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Program -
Four Awards of $2500 each
This Program was created to attract, recruit and retain people of color to the practice of public relations and communications. The award also includes a summer internship at a Chicago agency or company affiliated with PRSA Chicago.
Requirements:
- current freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors enrolled full-time
- minimum 3.0 GPA
- studying public relations, journalism, communications or preparing for career in public relations
- African-American, Hispanic, Arab, West/East/Southeast/South Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ancestry
Spring Deadlines
Elks National Foundation, Legacy Awards - February 3
480 scholarships of $1000/year; 20 scholarships of $7500/year
Requirements:
- Current HS seniors
- Any child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, or legal ward of a living Elk
- Additional conditions apply
American Chemical Society - March 1 (opens December 1)
Up to $5000 per year
Requirements:
- HS senior, college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior returning for 5th year
- African-American, Hispanic, American Indian, Native Hawaiian/Alaskan, Pacific Islander
- full-time student
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident or DACA status
- minimum GPA of 3.0 and able to demonstrate financial need according to FAFSA;
- majoring in: chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chem-related science
- planning a career in the chemical sciences or chemical technology;
General Websites
Consider creating a separate email address for scholarship searches, in case you get a lot of unwanted email.
- Cappex
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
- FastWeb - scholarship search
- Financial Aid Page - scholarship searches; see also Winning Scholarships
- Horatio Alger Association - browse scholarships by your home state
- OnlineColleges.net - scholarships for minority students, not just those at online institutions
- Peterson’s - scholarship search
- Sallie Mae - scholarship search
- Scholarships.com - scholarship search
Special Categories / Web Sites:
Affordable Colleges Online and OnlineColleges.net are not just for online schools...lists for many women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and students with disabilities. Similarly, Purdue University has graciously shared this recource page, for similar student populations.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
Dominican Bar Association (for law school)
Hispanic Scholarship Fund - opens January 1 each year; mid-Feb deadline
Hispanic Science Scholarships - National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Latino College Dollars - scholarship search
League of United Latin American Citizens
MAES (Latinos in Science and Engineering) Nov 19 deadline
AffordableColleges.com (general resource, various service branches)
Air Force - General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant
American Legions (two sites)
Auxiliary Scholarship Program - child, grandchild, great-grandchild of a veteran
Legacy Scholarship Program - child of post-9/11 veteran who died on active duty, or is disabled
Department of Veteran’s Affairs - veterans/children
Iran & Afghanistan - if your parent died in service after 9/11
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation - 25 military-related resources
Military Officers Association of America - Veterans, family members
VFW’s Sport Clips Help a Hero - separate fall/spring deadlines
VFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars
Wells Fargo: Scholarship & Emergency Grant programs
Yellow Ribbon Program - Lake Forest participates
AIFS (American Institute For Foreign Study)
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)
Institute of International Education - scholarships, fellowships, internships
From Top Ten Online Colleges - 25 Scholarships for Polish Students
Nat’l Assoc of State Student Grant & Aid Programs
Arkansas Students - scholarship search
Hawai‘i Students - over 150 scholarships to pursue
Illinois Students - grants, loans, and scholarships for all grade levels
Illinois Students - Community Fndtn of Northern IL; 1 app'n >> 90 scholarships; Open Dec 1 - Febr 1 (deadline)
Illinois Students - IL Assoc'n of College Admissions Counseling (Feb 3, 2023 deadline)
Illinois (Chicago Public Schools) - Wentcher Foundation
Indiana Students - grant and scholarship programs
Maine Students - and FAME
Rhode Island Student Loan Authority search
Tennessee Students - application cycle closes February 3, 2023
Washington Students - scholarship search
Community College students - Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
Oakton Community College students - Wentcher Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa members - various awards, criteria, deadlines
DDLR Scholarship (open to Chicago Public School seniors)
Immigrants Rising Undergraduates Graduates
Other Resources
About Scholarship Scams
With many people looking for scholarships, there is ample opportunity for people to be taken advantage of. Here are some thoughts:
- Scholarships that charge a fee are probably not valid.
- Beware of applications that collect your SSN or other sensitive information.
- Scholarships that invite you to attend a seminar may involve a “strong-armed sales pitch” for something that is not free.
- Even legitimate scholarship offers may result in you getting “slammed” with ads and unwanted emails.
Additional “Scam” Resources:
College Board
Federal Trade Commission
If you ever have a question about a scholarship offer that sounds “fishy” feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@lakeforest.edu, 847-735-5103).
Contact Financial Aid
Phone and Fax
847-735-5103
finaid@lakeforest.edu
Location
Patterson Lodge, 2nd Floor
Middle Campus, Map
Hours
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
FINANCIAL AID STAFF
Jerry Cebrzynski
Associate Vice President for Financial Aid
847-735-5104
cebrzynski@lakeforest.edu
Mark Anderson
Associate Director
847-735-5010
anderson@lakeforest.edu
Adriana Rodriguez
Associate Director for Financial Aid Operations
VA Certifying Official
847-735-5015
rodriguez@lakeforest.edu
Si necesita hablar con alguien en español en la oficina de ayuda financiera, usted puede llamar a Adriana Rodriguez.