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
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 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.
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 $3000 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, 2023 for priority consideration for the 2023-2024 academic year. Applications considered while funding remains. Amount: Up to $7,500
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