Outside or private donor scholarships are those which are sponsored by local community organizations, banks, churches, clubs, businesses and employers. Current high school students are also encouraged to check with their high school's guidance for scholarship opportunities. Each donor has its own application process. Please contact the individual donor with any questions you might have.
Parkland College Foundation Scholarships
Special Scholarships
Outside Scholarships
The Sallie Mae Fund, in
partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, is again providing 200 Completing the Dream Scholarships
to help students from underserved
communities complete their higher education.
Deadline: December 6, 2024 Amount: $2,500
Awards are available for undergraduate study at public and non-profit private 2- and 4-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institutions.
Deadline: Applications considered while funding remains. Amount: Varies
The Gateways Scholarship Program is an individual-based scholarship opportunity, for practitioners working in early care and education. The program provides financial assistance for early childhood education and child development (ECE/CD) coursework and degrees offered through participating colleges and universities, dependent on available funding. The Gateways Scholarship Program is administered by INCCRRA and funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Deadline: Ongoing Amount: Varies
The Gilman Scholarship Program provides up to $5,000 (or $8,000 including the Critical Need Language Award) for undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and Federal Pell Grant recipients to participate in in-person or virtual international programs. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides $5,000 scholarships for child dependents of active-duty military personnel who receive any type of Title IV Federal Financial Aid to study or intern abroad.
ICISP Scholarships are in the amount of $500 for summer and $1,000 for fall and spring. Students participating in ICISP study abroad programs are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Varies Amount: $500 – $1,000
The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association is offering four scholarships this year for students looking to pursue a career in the ag input or crop protection industry. Any agriculture student can apply, but the scholarships will be focused on students specifically pursuing a career in the fertilizer or chemical industry.
Deadline: December 13, 2024 Amount: $1,500 - $2,500
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial needs. Scholarships are available for high school students planning to attend college and for community college students transferring to a university.
This scholarship is for $3,000 and will be awarded to a community college student receiving an associate's degree who intends to pursue a bachelor's degree as a residential on-campus student at a four-year institution of higher learning and who meets the eligibility criteria listed below. Provided by the MacMurray College Foundation Scholarship Program.
Deadline: TBD Amount: $3,000
If: 1) you plan to teach at a nonprofit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, for which the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has determined that no less than 30 percent of the enrolled students are African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American; and 2) you are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American origin or are a qualified bilingual minority applicant, then – starting with awards made for the 2022–23 academic year – you may qualify for up to $7,500 per year as part of the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 31 for priority consideration for the upcoming academic year. Applications considered while funding remains. Amount: Up to $7,500
If you are pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associate
degree in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing or a bachelor’s
or graduate degree in nursing and demonstrate the greatest financial
need among qualified students, you may be qualified to receive the
Nursing Education Scholarship.
Deadline: The NES application period each year starts on March 1 and continues through April 30. Amount: Varies
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, established in 1973, is a need-based grant program providing one-time financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills. For more information, contact Barb Hughes at blhughes3@gmail.com or 217/369-0802.
Deadline: Ongoing Amount: Up to $3,000
Other Scholarship Opportunities