Scholarship Program Overview

The Community Foundation administers a variety of college scholarships. Each scholarship was established by generous donors and is unique, with its own set of criteria for applicants.

Students may apply for and be awarded multiple scholarships. There are scholarships available for graduating seniors as well as current and returning college students. Currently, the majority of awards are offered to students from Sangamon County, but the number of scholarships for students throughout the Foundation's service area continues to grow. The Foundation serves Sangamon, Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, and Morgan counties.

To review specific information and instructions on how to apply for scholarships, please revisit our website toward the end of the calendar year. 2025 scholarship applications will be available from January 1, 2025 to March 1, 2025. Applicants should submit their scholarship applications via the Foundation's website during this time period.

If you have questions regarding the scholarship opportunities offered by the Community Foundation, please email scholarships@CFLL.org.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Student of the Year Scholarship Finalists

Name School Scholarship Awarded
Mohammad Irfan Helali    Springfield High School $10,000
Tyler Hall Lanphier High School $5,000
Jayla Davis Springfield Southeast High School    $5,000
Robin Pitts Lanphier High School $2,500
Kamryn Sturdy Tri-City High School $2,500

 

Ada McCombs White Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Conor DeFord A-C Central High School

Anthony Benson Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Daija Lott Springfield High School

Brody Wilson Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Makenna Reedy Williamsville High School

Camp Care-A-Lot Scholarship

Name School
Mary Brown Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

CFLL Service Scholarship

Name School
Isaac Crumrine Riverton High School

Charlie Cottle Scholarship

Name School
Justin Hay Glenwood High School
Makenna Yeager Glenwood High School

COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship

Name School
Emma Cox Springfield High School
Joel Davis Springfield Southeast High School
Eliza Feldman Staunton High School
Luke Gribbins Rochester High School
Julia Janus Lewis and Clark Community College (North Greene High School)
Morgan Lemon Illinois State University (Litchfield High School)
Kaelyn Mitchell Auburn High School
Amanda Niemann Litchfield High School
Maya Tolentino Chatham Glenwood High School
Eleanor Young Pleasant Plains High School

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship

Name School
Ashton Davis Springfield Southeast High School
Jayla Davis Springfield Southeast High School
Joel Davis Springfield Southeast High School
Mikyle Elbert Springfield Southeast High School
Melodee Harrison Springfield High School
Allysse Lewis Springfield Southeast High School
Joella Livingston St. Teresa High School
Daija Lott Springfield High School
Brianna Smith MacArthur High School
Sydney Walker Eisenhower High School

Donna and Donald Lee Wolaver Memorial Golf Scholarship

Name School
Emma Scheffler Springfield High School

Dr. Ruth Richardson Scholarship

Name School
Madelyn Beck Springfield High School
Will Hovey Springfield High School

Frontiers International Springfield Club - JD Washington Scholarship

Name School
Tobias Clark  
Joel Davis  
Thomas Frizzell   
Jehu Hunt  

Frontiers International Springfield Club - James Forstall Scholarship

Name School
James Cummings Springfield Southeast High School
Jayla Davis Springfield Southeast High School
Joel Davis Springfield Southeast High School
Ernestus Drake Rochester High School
Marisa Gant Springfield Southeast High School
Jasmine Hamilton Springfield High School
Allysse Lewis Springfield Southeast High School
Daija Lott Springfield High School
Bryce Musgrave Sacred Heart Griffin High School
Justice West Springfield Southeast High School
Amir Womack Springfield Southeast High School
Makayla Young Springfield Southeast High School

Gerald F. and Luanna R. Kennedy Scholarship

Name School
John Berns  Pana High School 

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois Founder's Scholarship

Name School
Payton Heise Murray State (Springfield High School)

Ila M. Skelton Scholarship

Name School
Joseph Brown Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Emma Cox Springfield High School
Payton Heise Murray State (Springfield High School)
Joseph Humphrey Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Joseph Kessler Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Carter Kruse Springfield High School
Braden Lueking Rochester High School
Mekhi Morgan Springfield Southeast High School
Lydia Sherman Springfield High School
Benjamin Warwick Auburn High School

Illinois Women in Leadership - Chrysalis

Name School
Tyra Ankoor University of Texas-Galveston

Illinois Women in Leadership - High School

Name School
Daija Lott Springfield High School
Katherine Minch Springfield High School
Kamden Sheedy New Berlin High School
Lydia Sherman Springfield High School

Jamie K. Patino Math and Science Scholarship

Name School
Robert Andrew Springfield Southeast High School

Jean Lee Hiller Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Emma Althoff Taylorville High School

Jim Byron Scholarship

Name School
Delaney Lines Williamsville High School

Jim Muller Build a Better Future Scholarship

Name School
Ian Logan PORTA High School

John & Judy Woodruff Performing Arts Scholarship

Name School
Braden Leuking Rochester High School

Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Kristianna Eastvold Springfield High School
Jasmine Hamilton Springfield High School
Vincent Proctor Springfield High School
Eric West Springfield High School

Linda S. Culver Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Maia Dothager Staunton Community High School
Payton Heise Murray State (Springfield High School)
Emma Wiker Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Lori L. Kashmer Scholarship

Name School
Indya Thompson Springfield Southeast High School

Margaret Johnson Special Education Scholarship

Name School
Ruth Becker Springfield High School

Mary Lou & Dwight Pitman Scholarship

Name School
Hayden Tomlin Auburn High School

Mid-Illinois Communications Association Scholarship

Name School
Erin Peterson Lincoln Land Community College
Madeline Sievers Illinois State University

O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing

Name School
Avery Hamm University of Illinois-Springfield (Williamsville HS)

O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing (Renewal)

Name School
Jamya Fallen Concordia University-Wisconsin (Springfield High School)
Grace Kadyk University of Illinois Chicago
Braden Nicoll Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield Southeast High School)

Paul V. Gage Community Service Scholarship

Name School
Morgan Slager Vienna High School

Pearl Fairfield Scholarship

Name School
Makayla Young Springfield Southeast High School

Polly Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship

Name School
Benjamin Schwarberg Chatham Glenwood High School

Reverend Kenneth H. White and Evelyn N. White Scholarship

Name School
Joshua Blisset Lanphier High School

Roland Machinery Scholarship

Name School
James Adkins Franklin High School

SAHBA Construction/Robert E. von Behren Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Luke Leahy Glenwood High School

Sgt. John Dalhaus Scholarship

Name School
Amanda Neiman Litchfield High School

Susan G. Conner Special Education Scholarship

Name School
Ruth Becker Nova Southeastern University (Springfield High School)
Katie Haupt Northern Illinois University (Rochester High School)
Caitlin Lauwerens Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Rochester High School)
Camryn Patterson Lincoln Land Community College (Chatham Glenwood High School)

Tripp Bringe Scholarship

Name School
Drew Atwater PORTA High School
Trace Donnan PORTA High School
Haven Gronewold PORTA High School
Lauren Harrison PORTA High School
Gavin Ketchum Athens High School
Brady Kinney PORTA High School
Katherine Kuehl PORTA High School
Kamille Rhoades Athens High School
Alaina Taylor Athens High School
Riley Womble Athens High School

W.G. Bird Teachers' Scholarship

Name School
Kaelyn Mitchell Auburn High School

Walter and Polly Roesch Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois Scholarship

Name School
Reginald Mantwell Rice Springfield Southeast High School

World War II Illinois Descendants Scholarship

Name School
Isaac Crumrine Riverton High School
Madeleine Noll Glenbrook North High School

2024 Scholarships

The 2024 Scholarship Program is open. Applications are accepted from January 1 through midnight on March 1. Please visit our website during the same time next year to submit your 2025 applications.

Scholarship Description
Ada McCombs White Memorial Scholarship Current or former graduates of A-C Central High School in Ashland, IL, pursuing a teaching career.
Anthony Benson Memorial Scholarship African American senior graduating from Springfield High School demonstrating extra-curricular involvement.
Brody Wilson Memorial Scholarship Graduating senior of Williamsville High School involved in the arts and/or soccer.
Camp Care-A-Lot Scholarship Former Camp Care-A-Lot campers who demonstrate financial need.
Charlie Cottle Scholarship Chatham Glenwood High School varsity athlete
COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship Graduates of high schools throughout Sangamon, Macoupin, Montgomery, Cass, Morgan and Greene counties who have demonstrated exemplary community service.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship African American students who are graduating seniors of a high school in the Springfield-Decatur, IL service area of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and demonstrate Delta's core values of sisterhood, scholarship and service.
Don W. Estaque Jr. Scholarship Graduates of Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL, who have attended LHS for four years, and lettered 3 out of their 4 years as a male member of the LHS men's cross country or track teams. Endorsement of the principal and athletic director required.
Donna and Donald Lee Wolaver Memorial Golf Scholarship Golf team member at a high school in Sangamon County.
Frontiers International Springfield Club Scholarship Preference is given to African American students (either male or female) and to applicants with substantial financial need who reside in Sangamon County.
Gerald F. and Luanna R. Kennedy Scholarship Graduating senior from Pana High School with a demonstrated history of contribution to the community.
Girls on the Run Founder Scholarship Alumna of the Girls on the Run of Central Illinois program and attending an accredited community college, four-year college/university or trade/vocational school this fall.
Ila M. Skelton Scholarship Graduating high school senior or currently enrolled college student residing in Sangamon County attending an accredited community college, four-year college/university or trade/vocational school this fall.
Illinois Women in Leadership — High School Scholarship Female from Sangamon County exhibiting leadership qualities and strong potential and desire for professional growth.
Illinois Women in Leadership — Chrysalis Award Female from Sangamon County who has earned a high school diploma or GED at least 5 years ago exhibiting leadership qualities and strong potential and desire for professional growth.
Jamie K. Patino Math and Science Scholarship Springfield Southeast High School student seeking a degree in the field of engineering, math or science.
Jean Lee Hiller Memorial Scholarship Current or former, female graduate of Taylorville High School, pursuing a four-year degree in pre-med, veterinary science or business and demonstrates financial need.
Jim Byron Scholarship Williamsville High School student invovled in service and school activities.
Jim Muller Build a Better Future Scholarship Fund  Recent graduate (within the past 4 years) from Athens, PORTA or Greenview high schools, planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution, including a college, university, trade, or vocational institution in the coming fall as full-time student, pursuing a degree or certificate in a program in the building trades, including but not limited to Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Architecture & Engineering.
John and Judy Woodruff Performing Arts Scholarship Graduating high school senior or college freshman from Sangamon County or adjacent county planning to major or minor in the performing arts. 
Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship Must be nominated by Springfield High Guidance Counselor; contact your guidance counselor for more information. Unsolicited applications will not be accepted.
Linda S. Culver Memorial Scholarship Be a graduating senior, returning undergraduate or graduate student attending an accredited college and is currently registered as a Girl Scout with the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.
Lori L. Kashmer Scholarship Pursuing a degree in nursing, health or medical career or in veterinary medicine as a part-time or full-time student that exhibits a passion for learning and demonstrates financial need.
Margaret Johnson Special Education Scholarship Graduating from a high school in Sangamon County and pursuing a degree in special education, with the intent of teaching special education students.
Mary Lou and Dwight Pitman Scholarship Area public high school student in Sangamon County other than Springfield School District or Chatham School District with siblings planning to or attending college.
Mid-Illinois Communications Association Scholarship Open to rising juniors, seniors and graduate students majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields such as marketing, design, videography, photography, etc., who are from Central Illinois or attend a college or university in Central Illinois.
O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing Student enrolled full-time or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited Nursing program in Sangamon County to pursue an Associate (ADN) or Baccalaureate (BSN) degree in Nursing and demonstrating financial need.
Paul V. Gage Community Service Scholarship Vienna High School student demonstrating financial need as well as a record of community service through volunteerism.
Pearl Fairfield Scholarship Graduating senior from a high school in Sangamon County that demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to students from a single-parent household.
Polly W. Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship Graduating senior from a high school in Sangamon County pursuing a degree in the field of vocal music, performing arts and educational majors with a concentration in vocal music.
Reverend Kenneth H. White and Evelyn N. White Scholarship Lanphier High School graduating student planning to obtain a State Teaching Certificate to teach in the public school system.
Roland Machinery Scholarship Open to students pursuing a degree or certificate in a profession related to construction, mechanical engineering, or other related trades. Must be a graduating senior from a high school in one of the following counties: Sangamon, Christian, Montgomery, Macoupin, Scott, Morgan, Cass, Menard, Mason and Logan.
SAHBA Construction/Robert E. von Behren Memorial Scholarship Open to students pursuing a career in the building industry in the following counties: Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Scott.
Sgt. John R. Dalhaus Memorial Vocational Scholarship Graduating student from Litchfield High School or a high school in Montgomery or Macoupin Counties participating in programs through the South-Central Illinois Regional Training and Innovation Center, and pursuing a post-secondary degree in a vocational field.
Tripp Bringe Scholarship Graduating seniors of a Menard County high school or who reside in Menard County but attend high school out of the county.
W.G. Bird Teachers' Scholarship Graduating senior of Auburn High School planning to pursue a degree in education and enroll full-time at an accredited college or university this fall.
Walter and Pauline Roesch Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Scholarship Open to current and former members of the Boys and Girls Club (BGCCIL) attending college or vocational school as a full-time student and have graduated from a high school in the BGCCIL service area within the last 2 years. 
World War II Illinois Descendants Statewide Scholarship Must be a direct descendant of a WWII Illinois Veteran and have a 4.0 GPA on a non-weighted scale (or be the projected valedictorian or salutatorian.)
 
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