Scholarship Opportunities

On behalf of generous individuals, businesses and service groups, the Community Foundation of Central Illinois administers a scholarship program each year to help local students pursue their dreams and goals at college, universities, trade and technical schools following high school graduation. No matter what your talents, abilities and passions are, the CFCI wants to help you use them to pursue your education dreams!

Scholarship funds are limited to accredited institutions and private nonprofit or publicly supported institutions. Please review each scholarship to determine whether you are a good fit.

Please Note: The Community Foundation of Central Illinois' service area is a 50 mile radius of Peoria, Illinois, excluding McLean County.  With few exceptions, applications received from outside this service area are not eligible for review.  Before submitting an application from outside the service area, please call 309-674-8730 to speak with a CFCI staff member.

The following is a list of scholarships the Foundation manages:  

This scholarship is offered to any individual, who is diagnosed with a congenial or acquired chronic bleeding disorder or congenital clotting disorder and resides in the BCDI service area of “Downstate Illinois.”  The applicant must have maintained a GPA of 2.5 or above and are enrolled or plan to enroll, as a full time student at an accredited vocational/trade school, junior college, or a four-year college/university.

The application due date is April 1, 2012

View scholarship guidelines

View scholarship application

Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing $1,000 scholarships to the 2002 through 2008 fourth grade classes at Peoria, IL's Irving Primary School. The "Can Do Kids" have been challenged to graduate from high school. They will receive the $1,000 Can Do 4:13 Scholarship once they enroll at an accredited post secondary education institution. Examples of those institutions might include a university, college, technical training school, junior or business college, or cosmetology school.

For 2011 graduates: Please click below for the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship instruction letter and college intent form. 

Instruction Letter

Can Do 4:13 College Intent Form

This fund was established to provide an annual scholarship for qualifying individuals with congenital or acquired bleeding disorders. 

Scholarship Application Packet Due: April 1

CBDC Guidelines

CBDC Application

CBDC Essay Questions

CBDC Reference Pages

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The Chief William T. Bauer Scholarship Fund was started in memory of Chief William Bauer, who was killed in a tragic car crash while on duty on August 6, 2010, on his way to Illinois Valley Crime Commision Executive Board Meeting.

This fund provides scholarships to selected Stark, Bureau, or Marshall County ressidents who choose to further their education in Law Enforcement.

Application Deadline is April 1

View Application

Established in memory of David S. Izard who lived and attended school in Canton, Illinois. David was active in football, track, and basketball. David was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 3 ½ but lived a full and active life. David died December 5, 1992.

Qualification: Must be a high school student who has epilepsy.

This scholarship will be awarded on the basis of applicant’s motivation to accomplish their educational/career goals, potential for scholarship, citizenship and leadership.

The Application Deadline is April 1

View Application

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Jean M. Brown, during her career, worked as an Industrial Nurse for Caterpillar. Ms. Brown so enjoyed her career in nursing that she wanted to provide an avenue for others to pursue this same vocation. Upon her death, Ms. Brown left a very generous gift to the Community Foundation of Central Illinois to establish nursing scholarships.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois' service area is a 50 mile radius of Peoria, Illinois. Applications received from outside this service area are not eligible for review.

Please Note: Each application requires recommendation letters, ACT scores, financial information, and transcripts.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure each of these items reach the Community Foundation office by the deadline date. 

It is strongly recommended that applicants contact the Program Manager at 674-8730 to check if all materials have reached our office.  The Community Foundation staff does not contact applicants until after the review and recommendations for awards have been made.

Incomplete applications (without additional materials) will not be included in the review process.

View Non-Occupational Health Application

This application is for all nursing candidates who are studying any discipline of nursing that is NOT Occupational Health.  If you are studying Occupational Health Nursing please fill out the Occupational Health Application.

View Occupational Health Application

This application is for nursing candidates studying Occupational Health or Occupational Health nurses seeking additional education.  If you are not interested in Occupational Health nursing please use the Non-Occupational Health Application.

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Established by MidAmerica National Bank to provide scholarship support for the employees’ children who are students enrolling full-time at a college, university or trade school.

Qualification: Must be graduating from high school or undergraduate college/vocational school and enrolling full time in:

• a two- or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
• an accredited vocational or technical institution to prepare for a trade.

View Application

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This fund was created to assist Pekin Riding Club members who are pursuing continuing educational opportunities, whether traditional college studies or vocational training. The award is intended to defray tuition, fees, books, and other academic expenses. At least one $1000 award per year can be provided with additional dollars and awards based on funds available. If no candidates meet the requirements the scholarship will not be awarded. Scholarships may be renewed pending reapplication and approval from the Scholarship Committee.

Application Due April 1, 2012

View 2012 Application

Established to award scholarships, based on need, to students working toward a degree or certification in the music or healthcare fields. 

Application Due Date: June 1, 2012

View Application

Qualifications:
a) Must be a student working towards a degree or certification in a field that falls within the music or healthcare fields. Associate and post bachelor degrees are acceptable.
b) Has maintained a high school or college grade point of at least 2.5.
c) Has demonstrated a desire to succeed.
d) Financial need will be a primary consideration in the selection process.
e) Two (2) reference letters will be required. They are to be from an educator and also an employer, supervisor or counselor.
f) An essay which addresses:

• Why you need the scholarship.
• What you want to study and why.
• What you will do with this educational opportunity.

g) Any candidate that is related to Dr. Stanisic or any of his physician partners will be ineligible for the scholarship.

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Established by Dr. Valentine Jobst III whose family arrived in Peoria, Illinois in 1859. His grandfather and father founded the V. Jobst and Sons Construction Company which constructed many familiar buildings around the city. The recipient must reside and be a current senior or a graduate of a city of Peoria high school and attending a vocational or trade school.

Qualification: Must be a student graduating from a high school in the city of Peoria.

Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of the applicant’s motivation to accomplish their educational/career goals, potential for scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

The Application Deadline is April 1

View Application

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The Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Scholarship Fund was established in 1990 by the Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Committee. The Committee established the Fund with the remaining money originally collected to bring the National Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Exhibit, listing the names of the 58,126 Americans who died during the Vietnam War, to Glen Oak Park in Peoria, Illinois. The Scholarship was established to benefit the children of local veteran’s who served in the Vietnam War.

Application Due April 1

View Application

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Established by the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois to provide scholarship support for women in the Tri-County area who are pursuing higher education in business and management.

Qualifications: Must be a qualified woman who meets the following criteria:

• Motivation to accomplish career and leadership goals.
• Graduate of a high school or recipient of GED.
• Resident of Tri-County (Peoria, Tazewell or Woodford) area.
• Financial need considered only when other factors are equal among applicants.
• Non-traditional student…in the workforce a minimum of three (3) years.

The Application Deadline is April 1

View Application

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The Women’s Lifestyle Educational Fund was established with proceeds raised during the 1996 Women’s Lifestyle Show Silent Auction. This volunteer organization raises funds to benefit the goals of area women regardless of their educational endeavors.

Qualification: The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of applicant’s motivation to accomplish their educational/career goals, potential for scholarship, citizenship and leadership. 

Please Note: The Community Foundation of Central Illinois' service area is a 50 mile radius of Peoria, Illinois. Applications received from outside this service area are not eligible for review.

The Application Deadline is April 1

View Application

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Gerald C. Bulkeley, a graduate of Abingdon High School, served the Abingdon community and its young people through a variety of civic and educational leadership activities. Mr. Bulkeley’s family established the Gerald C. Bulkeley Scholarship in his memory.

Qualification: Students must reside and attend school in District 217.

Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of the applicant’s motivation to accomplish their educational/career goals, potential for scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

Contact the Abingdon High School guidance office at 309-462-2338 for information on how to apply for the Gerald C. Bulkeley Scholarship.

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Established to award scholarships to students enrolled as seniors at Canton Senior High School who have demonstrated active community involvement and outstanding leadership and citizenship.

Qualifications:

a) must be a graduating Canton High School senior.
b) must show economic need.
c) must have demonstrated active community involvement.
d) minimum 250 word essay on the following topics:

• desired degree in which field and why
• definition of outstanding leadership and citizenship
• why you think you should be considered for the award

View Application

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Established in memory of James H. Dempsey, a teacher and drama director at Peoria High School. The student should be pursuing a career in teaching, theatrics or the pure sciences of mathematics, chemistry, physics or biology.

Qualification: Must be a Peoria High School student pursuing a career in engineering, bio-engineering or pre-law.

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Established in 1994, by a group of loyal EPCHS supporters. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships for higher education for EPCHS graduates, as selected by the EPCHS Scholarship Council.

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Established by Jamie’s family and is in memory of Jamie Epstein who graduated from Richwoods High School in 2000. While at Richwoods, Jamie ran cross country for three years, played softball for two, participated in chorus for three years, sang in the Madrigals for two years, and was in the school musical her senior year. This scholarship is awarded to a student who embodies the attributes of Jamie.

Qualifications:
a) must be a senior at Richwoods High School expecting to attend a four-year college.
b) the recipient must be involved in school activities, with an emphasis on madrigals, chorus, musical plays or cross country, but not restricted to specific endeavors.

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Established to create a living legacy in memory of Peoria Fire Captain Vernon “Butch” Gudat. College scholarships are provided to qualifying children and grandchildren of career and volunteer firefighters in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.

Qualifications:
a) must be a child or grandchild of a central Illinois firefighter. Relatives of both career and volunteer firefighters in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties are eligible.
b) applicant must plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the U.S. in the coming academic year.
c) applicant must enroll as a full-time student.

Applications due December 1

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Established by the family of Lynn Hohenbery to award scholarships to seniors at Limestone Community High School. Lynn lost her battle with cancer in July 2006. She was active in numerous organizations in the Bartonville community and was a strong supporter of Limestone.

Qualifications:
a) must be a Limestone Community High School senior and enrolling as a full-time student.
b) must have been active in the community, outside of school.

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Established by Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Co. to provide scholarship support for the employees’ children who are students enrolling full-time at a college, university or trade school.

Qualifications:
a) must be graduating from high school or undergraduate college/vocational school and enrolling full time in:

1. a two- or four-year accredited college.
2. an accredited technical or vocational institution.

The Application Deadline is April 1.  Applications are available to staff at Illinois Mutual.

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Coach Tony Juska was the coach of the 1954 undefeated football team at Peoria High School. This scholarship fund was established by that undefeated team in his memory.

Qualification: Must be a Peoria (Central) High School student pursuing a two- or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

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Established by the McPherson family to honor the memory of their son and brother, Dennis Craig McPherson, to a student at Gregory High School, Gregory, SD. Dennis was killed in Vietnam on November 11, 1967 serving his country.

Qualification: Must be a student graduating from Gregory High School and enrolling as a full-time student in the state of South Dakota in:

a) a two- or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
b) an accredited vocational or technical institution to prepare for a trade.

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Jenny Meek was a member of the class of 1997 of Peoria High School. She was active in student council and drama among other activities and was also an outstanding student. Jenny accomplished all of this while suffering cystic fibrosis. This scholarship was established in her memory and is awarded to a Peoria High senior who emulates Jenny’s activities and accomplishments.

Qualifications:
a) must be a senior who will be attending a college or university.
b) has maintained a grade point of 3.0 through their first seven (7) semesters.
c) has been active in extracurricular activities at Peoria High School.
special consideration will be given to those students who have been active with the student council and in drama.

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Established in 1962 in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Walter A. Moehle and Minna E. (Michè) Moehle, to award scholarships to graduating seniors of Okawville High School, Okawville, IL, on the basis of the student's motivation to accomplish his/her career goals and potential for scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

Qualification: Student must reside in or be a graduate of District 10.

Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of the applicant’s motivation to accomplish their educational/career goals, potential for scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

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Established in memory of Randy A. Neumann, who graduated from Peoria High School as valedictorian in 1976. He served on student council, lettered in sports, participated in numerous organizations, and received significant honors during his high school career. A Peoria High senior who has demonstrated leadership, compassion, and academic excellence receives this scholarship.

Qualifications:
a) must be a senior attending college or a university.
b) has achieved academic excellence.
c) has demonstrated exemplary leadership.
d) shows compassion and genuine interest in others.
e) is a charismatic, energetic individual who inspires others.

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Lynn played on the girls’ varsity basketball team at Richwoods High School for four years, earning four varsity letters and numerous awards. She was an inspirational player who positively influenced her individual teammates while elevating her team’s collective level of play. Scholarships are awarded to the student who best embodies the attributes of Lynn.

Qualifications:
a) any female student enrolled as a senior at Richwoods High School.
b) expected to be in the upper 30% of the Richwoods graduating class.
c) a member of the girls varsity basketball team in any given year.

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This scholarship encourages excellence in all science studies. It is awarded annually to a graduating senior who plans to pursue further education in the sciences and has achieved academic excellence during high school.

Qualification: This scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in the sciences.

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Established by the Romani Family to a student attending Washington Community High School who has an interest in mathematics and participated in athletics throughout his/her high school career.

Qualifications:
a) must be a Washington Community High School senior enrolling as a full-time student.
b) must have demonstrated a proficiency or strong interest in the field of mathematics.
c) must have participated in athletics on either a competitive basis or strong intramural.

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Established by the Schliepsiek and Bielenberg families in memory of Andy and Jamie (Bielenberg) Schliepsiek who met as students, as well as graduated from Richwoods High School. To honor their memory, their families have created this fund to award scholarships to Richwoods High School graduating seniors.

Qualifications:
a) must be a Richwoods High School senior who will be attending a college or university.
b) has maintained a C average above their first seven (7) semesters.
c) financial need is a primary consideration in the selection process.

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Established by the Gregory Williams family to honor the memory of their husband, father, and great friend. The fund provides scholarship support for a graduating senior from Midwest Central High School and who is enrolling as a full-time student at Bradley University.

Qualification: Applicant must be a student who is graduating from Midwest Central High School and enrolling as a full-time student at Bradley University.

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