Apply for scholarships now

Education is important to the Lisle community. As a point of reference consider its first-rate schools and numerous scholarships offered residents.

Scholarships help defray the tuition costs and related expenses at colleges, universities or institutions of learning. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid.

This clip-and-save column accounts for a dozen opportunities. However with deadlines to meet, essays to write and recommendations to arrange, the process remains the responsibility of the student.

Students need to become familiar with their school's guidance department and its college-related information. It is also advantageous to check out newspaper stories and the Lisle Library for scholarship postings.

Next, students should maintain a master list of his or her volunteer, community and school activities, leadership positions, academics and achievements to ease the process.

"It is important for students to get involved in their school and community," said Kendal Meyer, guidance counselor at Lisle High School. "Colleges are looking for well-rounded students."

For online searches, Amy Wesley, a senior guidance counselor at Benet Academy, recommends fastweb.com, finaid.com and scholarships.com as informative sites. She steers students away from any fee-based search.

Meyer likewise recommends cappex.com, collegeboard.com and actstudent.org as safe search engines for scholarships.

Students should ask parents whether his or her workplace, union, military service or member organizations offer scholarship opportunities. Corporate-sponsored scholarships can range in value from $1,000 to $20,000. Check out athletic, social clubs, state congressional representatives and the profession you hope to enter for additional possibilities.

Some organizations will get dozens of applications, but at least one on this list said they have not had a single application so far this year. In addition to the dollars for college, each award carries with it the benefits of education.

Rotary Club: The Rotary Club of Lisle awards five one-time, $1,000 scholarships to students who live in Lisle regardless of where they attend high school. There are no minimum GPA or test scores. As a service organization, the selection committee looks for school and service activities in its assessment. The top 10 applicants are interviewed to determine the final grant recipient. Ask at your school guidance department for the Rotary information packet.

Park district: The Lisle Park District hosts an annual Family Day in the Park to raise money for its Robert Kuzmicki Scholarship. This year, there are two, $500 scholarships for district residents. Applicants may be college-bound high school seniors or students currently enrolled in a junior college, college, university or graduate school. The scholarship committee will weigh personal leadership, work ethic and community involvement above GPA or class rank. The application is at lisleparkdistrict.org. Deadline is Nov. 2. Winners will be announced in December.

Chamber of Commerce: Last year, the Lisle Area Chamber of Commerce awarded 10 scholarships of $500 each to high school seniors with a Lisle address or whose parent or parent's company is a chamber member. Awards are based on academic achievement, community involvement and need. Application packets will be available in December at lislechamber.com. There is an April deadline.

Woman's Club: The Lisle Woman's Club gives a number of $500 scholarships to high school seniors. Last year, the women offered five grants. Recipients must be accepted by a junior or four-year college, university, trade or business school. The deadline is April 23.

The club also awards a Continuing Education Scholarship for $500 to a Lisle resident returning to school to enhance workplace skills. Consideration is given to need, educational intentions and career goals. The deadline is April 30.

Both applications are at lislewomansclub.org.

Lions Club: Last year, the Lisle Lions awarded four scholarships of $500 to graduating seniors who live in Zip code 60532. Winners are assessed on academic performance, school involvement and community service. Though deadlines for spring 2010 are being finalized and schools will have applications, you may e-mail lislelions1949@aol.com for an application.

Community Service Corporation: The Lisle Community Service Corporation will notify schools of its available scholarship. A student must be a Lisle resident graduating high school and planning to attend a college or university in the fall. A student should inform their counselor that they would like to be considered for this scholarship since there is no application process and the selection is made by school officials. Preference is given to a student studying communications or a media-related field. The deadline is March 30.

American Legion: The Oratorical Contest of the American Legion is an opportunity to advance to national competition and prizes ranging from $14,000 to $18,000.

The first step is a local contest on Jan. 3, sponsored by the American Legion Naperville Post 43. Students in grades 9 to 12 may compete. It is advantageous for an underclassman to enter and gain experience. The local top prize is $600, and often there are more awards than applicants at the local contest. Last year, the Naperville post winner placed second in the state competition.

Participants need to deliver a speech on an aspect of the Constitution of the United States with emphasis on the duties and obligations of its citizens. Also the student will need to answer one of five preassigned questions. Details are at naperlegion.org or call (630) 355-4679.

VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Naperville Post 3873 scholarship program is for students in grades 9 to 12 living within its district. Local awards range from $250 to $1,000. The national top prize is $30,000. Information is at vfw.org under Youth Programs. The deadline is Oct. 30. Write and record a 3- to 5-minute essay on tape or CD answering the question, "Does America Still Have Heroes?" In March, winners head to Washington, D.C., for the national competition.

Kiwanis: The Lisle Kiwanis awards scholarships averaging $1,000 to honorees of its Key Club at Lisle High School. Awards are based on four years of participation in community service.

Knights of Columbus: The Leonard M. Jarka Honorary Scholarships are need-based awards from the Robert P. Connelly Council 5918 Knights of Columbus to current or incoming students at a Catholic high school. A single $1,500 scholarship is for a senior who will attend a university, college or trade school, or is a student currently enrolled in one of those schools. Additional awards and details are at kofc5918.org, click on "activities."

Quilters guild: The Faithful Circle Quilters Guild based in Downers Grove established the Founders Scholarship for anyone interested in pursuing a career in textile art. Recipients must be a high school senior or an adult. For details, go to fcquilters.com.

AAUW: Although this year's deadline is imminent, the Downers Grove Area Branch of the American Association of University Women offers scholarships ranging from $750 to $3,000. One is for women returning to college after an absence of five or more years. Lisle residents are within its jurisdiction. For future reference, write AAUW at PO Box 694, Downers Grove, IL 60515.

• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.