Outside Scholarships

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

Completing the Dream Scholarship Program

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


Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program

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


Gateways Scholarship Program

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 


Gilman & Gilman-McCain Scholarships

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.


Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs Study Abroad Scholarship

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


Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarships

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.


Louise Rintelmann Thompson "I Believe in You" Scholarship

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


Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

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


Nursing Education Scholarships (NES)

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


P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

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