Outside Scholarships

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. General requirements are listed below; others may be found on the individual websites.

January Deadlines

Taco Bell Foundation Live Mas Scholarship  -  January 8

Two Programs:    Employee Program & Non-Employee Program

$5,000 to $25,000 per recipient, renewable

Requirements:  

• Must be legal U.S. resident or the child of an active duty U.S. military member
• Must be at least 16 - 26 years of age
• Must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary educational program in the U.S.
• Must be in good academic standing

Additional requirements for the Employee Program:

• A Taco Bell employee in a restaurant position, in good standing (see web site for details)

Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship  -  January 10

Two Awards of $10,000 each, to one man and one woman.

Former student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school are eligible to be nominated by that school for an NCAA graduate degree scholarship, regardless of when they received their undergraduate degree.

• Have an overall undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 or better (based on a maximum 4.000), or the equivalent in other recognized grading systems;

• Are in their final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or will not be using any remaining athletics eligibility;

• Be enrolled in graduate study at an NCAA member institution or be a graduating senior committed to enrolling in a graduate degree program within five years of being named a McKay Scholar;

• Demonstrate efforts in the communication field or have an interest beyond their major to contribute to sports communication;

• Ascribe to the highest levels of integrity, including the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability;

• Have evidenced superior character and leadership;

• Have an understanding and appreciation for the legacy of Jim McKay, his contributions to sport broadcasting and specifically his award-winning oratory on the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

The Jim McKay Scholarship nomination is submitted by the faculty athletics representative or designee. There is no limit to the number of qualified students or student-athletes that an institution can nominate. It is the responsibility of the FAR or FAR Designee to ensure all sections of the nomination are submitted to the NCAA national office not later than January 10.

PanHellenic Scholarship  -  January 31

20 Awards of $10,000 based on academic achievement, financial need and Hellenic values. $20,000 given to those studying music or arts

20 Awards of $2,500 based solely on academic achievement and Hellenic values.

Scholarship Requirements (see website for details)

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
• Must be of Hellenic (Greek) descent.  
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
• Be enrolled as a full-time student Fall ‘24

SallieMae No Essay Scholarship  -  January 31

Each month, a $2000 award is given. You may end up on their mailing list to receive numerous offers of student loan options.

February Deadlines

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) -  February 1

120 scholarships ranging from $500 - $10,000

Each CFNIL scholarship is created with a specific purpose in mind. As you complete the application, the system automatically matches you with every scholarship for which you are eligible and will present you with a specific written prompt for each. 

Common Requirements: 

• must be a resident of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson or Winnebago Counties
• must be an undergraduate (grad students eligible only ifspecified by the donor)
• former school must be an accredited institution, private non-profit or publicly supported

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

Wentcher Foundation  -  Feb 7

Open to  Chicago Public Schools seniors graduating in June. Must have a 3.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Must have demonstrated high character and leadership at home, at school, or in their community.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) -  Feb 15

The HSF administers many scholarships to high school and college students, awarding over 10,000 scholarships valued at over $30M each year. Selection is based on merit; the amount is based on need.

Awards:  $500 to $5,000

Requirements:

• Must be of Hispanic Heritage
• US Citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA for high school student; minimum of 2.5 for college and graduate students
• Plan to enroll full time in an accredited, public or non-profit, four-year university or graduate school, in the US, for the 2025-2026 academic year.

KFC Reach Program  -  February 17  (opens Jan 10)

Awards:  $2500 - $20,000

 General Requirements (others apply):

• Be a KFC U.S. restaurant employee at a site that participates in the KFC Foundation’s Annual Donation Program
• Be a high school senior/graduate or college undergraduate/graduate
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (for $2500/$5000) or  5 ($10,000/$20,000)
• Enroll either full-time or part-time

March Deadlines

American Chemical Society  -  March 1  

Up to $5000 per year

Requirements:

• HS senior, college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior returning for 5^th 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;

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago  -  March 1

Scholarships to Jewish students, primarily for those with financial need who are pursuing careers in the helping professions.

Scholarships up to $4,000.

Requirements:

• Are Jewish
• Were born and raised in Chicago metropolitan area (see website)
• Intend to remain in the Chicago metropolitan area after completing school
• Are entering an accredited graduate program in a helping profession on a full-time basis for the full 2025-2026 academic year   or
• Are entering your junior or senior year of an accredited bachelor’s degree program in a “helping profession” (see website) on a full-time basis for the full 2025-2026 academic year
• Demonstrate financial need and career promise

Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation Scholarship  -  March 7

Awards:  IRTA - 6 @ $2000 each;  Helen Kennedy - 1 @ $2000;  Moler-Austin - 2 @ $4500

Common Requirements:

• be a resident of Illinois and/or Illinois HS graduate (see application)
• be majoring in the field of education
• may require acceptance into a Teacher Certification Program
• have minimum GPA of 3.0
• live in the IRTA Foundation area from which the application is made
• The IRTA Foundation Scholarships are  for Jr - Sr year
  The Helen Kennedy Scholarship is for Soph – Sr year
  The Moler-Austin Scholarship are $4500 each (Kendall County HS grad), Soph - Sr

April Deadlines

Biederman & Burleson Champions of Justice -  April 7

Award:  $1,000

Requirements:

• Undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in law
• Attending college in the Spring 2025 or Fall 2025
• Must be a US citizen or permanent resident
• At least 17 years of age

Veterans United Foundation Scholarship  -  April 30  (opens April 1)

The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship creates opportunities for family members of service members and Veterans to achieve their educational dreams.

Must meet one of the following conditions:

• The applicant is a veteran with 100% service connected disability
• The applicant is a surviving spouse of a deceased servicemember from a service-related death
• The applicant is a surviving child of a deceased servicemember from a service-related death