Scholarships

To submit a listing, e-mail tricity@dailyherald.com or fax to (847) 608-0849.

Garfield Farm: Garfield Farm Museum recently announced the second annual $2,000 scholarship for graduate studies in museum administration. The Garfield Farm Museum Historic Administration Scholarship Fund has been established within the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. This annual scholarship is focused on students at the masters level or higher, pursuing degrees in historic administration, public history, museum administration or related fields of study who preferably have demonstrated a strong commitment to the preservation of historic sites through their studies, work experience, volunteer or other community activities.

Potential applicants from the southern half of Kane County and Kendall County enrolled at an accredited college or university are encouraged to inquire of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley by calling (630) 896-7800 or visit www.CommunityFoundationFRV.org. Outstanding candidates that live in proximity in Will, DuPage or northern Kane County also will be given due consideration.

The successful candidate will also be given special consideration if she or he later applies for Garfield Farm Museum's Graduate Student Internship Program. Ron Yenerich, a friend and donor to Garfield Farm Museum, is underwriting the scholarship. The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (formerly known as the Aurora Foundation) handles all the administration of the scholarship funds and applications.

This scholarship is an important extension of the museum's educational goal to provide opportunity to all age levels and academic endeavors. From grade schoolers making their first visit to a historic farm to adult volunteers learning how to create and support a nonprofit organization, its impact as an educational institution exceeds the common perception of what a museum does.

Since 1983, the museum has sought graduate school interns to help them get hands-on experience of running a historic site from the ground up. This is at the heart of its mission to educate the public in the inseparable story of this country's heritage, its agricultural bounty and blessings of nature. The museum has shared hands-on experiences of how to create such a museum through experiences in building restoration, prairie management, rare breeds livestock care, historic demonstrations, event planning and management, public speaking, volunteer management, fundraising, and networking. The museum is on Garfield Road, off Route 38, 5 miles west of Geneva. For information, call (630) 584-8485 or e-mail info@garfieldfarm.org.

Township Officials of Illinois: St. Charles Township is announcing the Township Officials of Illinois scholarship program for graduating high school seniors planning to attend an Illinois college or university in the fall of 2009. The program, sponsored by the state association, is for deserving Illinois students that have demonstrated a willingness to accept leadership responsibilities and serve their respective communities. TOI will award seven $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who will attend Illinois colleges or universities this fall. Applications as well as eligibility criteria may be obtained at the TOI Web site, toi.org, or by contacting the St. Charles Township offices at 1725 Dean St. or at your high school's guidance office. For information, call St. Charles Township's Highway Commissioner Ron Johnson at (630) 584-3496 or St. Charles Township Supervisor Jerry Swanson at (630) 584-9342. Deadline for applications is March 1.

"This program gives Illinois students an opportunity to learn more about the government closest to the people, township government, as well as a financial boost," said Johnson.

The Township Officials of Illinois is a private, nonprofit organization that currently represents 99 percent of the state's 1,433 townships. TOI has maintained a scholarship program since 1982.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with and help students who will one day run this country," said TOI Executive Director Bryan Smith.

WCC Foundation: The Waubonsee Community College Foundation is offering more than 100 scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. The application deadline is Thursday, Feb. 5. Scholarships are available to both new and returning Waubonsee students. Details and application forms can be found online at www.waubonsee.edu/scholarships. A printed brochure is also available by visiting Waubonsee's Financial Aid Office, located in Dickson Center on the college's Sugar Grove campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, or by calling (630) 466-7900, ext. 5774.

Rotary Club: The Rotary Club of Geneva is now accepting applications for Rotary District 6440 Vocational Scholarships that will be awarded to eligible high school graduates seeking a two-year degree, diploma or certificate. Two applicants may be sponsored by each Rotary Club in the district, and will be considered for $1,500 to be used for tuition, books, fees, tools and supplies awarded through Rotary District 6440.

Eligibility includes being a high school graduate, GED, or nontraditional student re-entering a college program; applicant must be accepted at school of designation; and must be sponsored by the Rotary Club of Geneva.

District 6440, which includes 72 Rotary clubs in northern Illinois, will award up to 20 scholarships to full-time students seeking a vocational degree or certificate program at an accredited school.

Applications must be received by the Rotary Club of Geneva no later than Friday, Feb. 20 for consideration. Application forms and scholarship information are available for download from Geneva Rotary's Web site at www.genevarotary.org or contact Rotarian Charlie MacBrayne at (630) 675-0447.

Hansen-Furnas Foundation: The Hansen-Furnas Foundation Inc., a nonprofit, charitable organization, announces the scholarship applications for the 2009-10 school year are now available. The application deadline for college and university undergraduate scholarships is March 1 of each year. Prospective students living within a 12-mile radius of Batavia, or in Clarke County, Iowa, are eligible to apply.

Criteria for granting scholarship awards are based primarily on financial need and academic scholarship. Character references, the quality of the applicant's letter of intent, and work experience are also considered to ensure successful selections. The general undergraduate scholarships offer payment toward tuition and fees for students pursuing studies at any accredited college or university. The William Carlyle Furnas scholarship, and Leto M. Fumas scholarship are granted to one individual each year. All applicants must be United States citizens and students must reapply for a scholarship each year.

• Hansen-Furnas Foundation. Inc. General Undergraduate Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to individuals planning to enroll, or enrolled, as undergraduate students. These awards offer a maximum of $3,000 per year.

William Carlyle Furnas Undergraduate Scholarship: This full-tuition scholarship is awarded to a student planning to enroll, or enrolled, at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Furnas Electric Company founder Carl Furnas graduated from Purdue in 1908.

• Leto M. Furnas Graduate Scholarship for Women: This scholarship is awarded to a woman planning to enroll, or currently enrolled in, a postgraduate degree. The award is named for Leto M. Furnas, spouse of Furnas Electric Company founder William Carlyle Furnas. This tuition award is a maximum of $5,000 per grant.

William Carlyle Furnas, and Hansen-Furnas Foundation Scholarship applications are now available in your local area high school guidance counselor's office. In addition, all scholarship applications (new, renewal, graduate) are available outside the foundation office at 28 S. Water St., Suite 310, Batavia. For details, call (630) 761-1390. Deadline for receipt of all applications is March 1.