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
Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit. Point promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training.
Deadline: November 5, 2021 Amount: Varies
The Education Justice Project (EJP) of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign has offered courses to incarcerated students since 2008. In keeping with their commitment to promote higher education, they also offer a scholarship program.
Deadline: November 15, 2021 Amount: $1,000
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.
In an effort to support the IACAC Strategic Plan, the Transfer Advisory Committee will award two Spring 2022 scholarships (valued at $1,000 each) to community college students to further their education at a four-year IACAC member institution.
Deadline: December 3, 2021 Amount: $1,000
The IAAP Education Foundation Scholarship program strengthens the Illinois aggregates industry by promoting the education of worthy students. For 2022, the IAAP Scholarship Committee will award up to five (5) scholarships of at least $2,000 each. These scholarships are a one-year grant. Students may re-apply in subsequent years.
Deadline: January 4, 2022 Amount: $2,000
Illinois electric cooperatives will award 14 scholarships in 2022 to financially assist deserving students in the electric cooperative family. The 14 scholarships, $2,000 each, will be awarded through the Thomas H. Moore Illinois Electric Cooperatives (IEC) Memorial Scholarship Program.
Deadline: December 31, 2021 Amount: $2,000
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.
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