Zonta Club offers scholarships for women seeking higher education
The Zonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia, a professional women's service organization, is offering scholarships to local area women to continue their education.
The Luella Hoffman Scholarship is given annually to a public or private school female student with a permanent family residence for 12 months prior to the application deadline within the following school districts: Batavia Unit District 101, Burlington Central Unit District 301, Kaneland Unit District 302, St. Charles Unit District 303, Geneva Unit District 304 or Elgin Area School District U-46. This award affords a local woman the opportunity to complete one year of higher education at the college of her choice. Zonta West will give priority consideration to those entering aeronautical, mathematical, engineering, business and public service fields of study; these align with the Zonta International focus of helping women pursue studies in these typically male-dominated fields. Zonta scholarships may be applied to tuition, books, fees and materials directly related to course study. Selection is based on community service and extracurricular activities, financial need, academic performance and letters of recommendation. Scholarships are distributed directly to the educational facility.
The Fran Johnson 2nd Chance Scholarship is designed to support a woman 25 years of age or older who desires to continue her education on a full- or part-time basis at any institution of higher learning in Kane, McHenry, DeKalb, DuPage, Will or suburban Cook county. This award is designed to be applied to two consecutive semesters, varies in value annually and is distributed directly to the educational facility. The applicant must be committed to completing a two-year occupational/vocational associate degree, certified licensed program, four-year bachelor's or a master's program.
The Jane Klausman Women in Business Scholarship is for any woman pursuing an undergraduate degree in a business related field. This $500 award is based on outstanding academic achievement in business-related subjects and future academic and career goals. Recipients are eligible for a district competition. The district winner then goes on to compete for a $5,000 award from Zonta International.
The Young Women in Public Affairs is a $500 award that assists young women who are pursuing careers in government, public policy and community organizations. Eligible women are pre-university or pre-college students (age 16-19) who can demonstrate active commitment to volunteerism, experience in local or student government and volunteer leadership achievements. Local recipients have the opportunity to compete for district awards worth $1,000.
The Cindy Perkinson Scholarship gives local women the opportunity to complete one year of higher education at the college of their choice, in line with Perkinson's passions for business, languages, and music.
A significant portion of the proceeds from the Zonta Club bowling fundraiser held the first Sunday in November is used to support these scholarship opportunities for local women. Generous Zonta supporters EFS Foundation, Trust Company of Illinois and other local donors also contribute to these scholarship opportunities.
The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2015. Awards are made in April for the fall 2015 school year. Applications are online at www.zontawest-sgb.org. Questions can be directed to Laurie Perry, Zonta Club president, at (774) 573-9483 or email zontaclub.sgb@outlook.com.
For more information please visit our website www.zontawest-sgb.org and our International Organization at www.zonta.org.