Local organizations offering scholarship support to students in the Fox Valley

Local clubs and organizations are offering scholarships to eligible students in the Fox Valley. To submit a free listing, email foxvalley@dailyherald.com or tricity@dailyherald.com.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley:

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2020-21 school year.

Visit www.communityfoundationfrv.orgto view the scholarship program guide and application.

There are nearly 200 scholarship funds within the Community Foundation. The foundation offers one-year and multiyear scholarships.

Since 1948, the foundation has awarded more than $17 million in scholarship awards.

The Community Foundation offers scholarships to students who are planning on attending an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. on a full-time basis during the 2019-2020 academic year, and who have a permanent address in the foundation's service area.

The majority of scholarships offered are traditional scholarships, based on academic ability and financial need. Merit scholarships, based on academic ability without consideration of financial need, are also available.

Only one application form is required from any one student to be considered for all scholarships offered through the Community Foundation Scholarship Program.

Students who submit an application form will be applying to the Community Foundation Scholarship Program as a whole, not for a particular scholarship, and will be considered for all scholarships in which they are eligible.

The deadline to submit an application is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15.

They encourage applicants to begin the scholarship process early to allow time for submitting all supporting documents.

With a few exceptions, scholarship eligibility is limited to students who reside within the following areas in the state of Illinois: in DeKalb County, Kaneland Unit District 302; in DuPage County, City of Aurora, St. Charles Unit District 303, and attendance boundaries for Indian Prairie Unit District's Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools; in Grundy County, Newark High School District 18; in Kane County, St. Charles Unit District 303, and the townships of Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Blackberry, Campton, Geneva, Kaneville, St. Charles, Sugar Grove and Virgil; all of Kendall County; in LaSalle County, Newark High School District 18; and in Will County, City of Aurora, Oswego Unit District 308, and the attendance boundaries for Indian Prairie Unit District 204's Waubonsie Valley High School.

Waubonsee Community College Foundation:

Last year, the Waubonsee Community College Foundation awarded 405 scholarships totaling more than $378,000 to 346 recipients. You must act soon to take advantage of these opportunities. People interested in receiving a scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year must apply by Feb. 3.

Chartered in 1978, the Waubonsee Community College Foundation was formed to advance the educational and charitable purposes of Waubonsee Community College. The primary mission of the Foundation is to raise money for student scholarships. Foundation scholarships and awards are made available to Waubonsee students by generous donors who support the foundation.

All awards are good for one year only, are subject to funding availability and are for use only at Waubonsee Community College.

Applicants selected to receive a scholarship will be notified by email in early April 2020. Recipients are required to attend a workshop scheduled for April 22 at the Sugar Grove campus.

Scholarships provided by the Waubonsee Community College Foundation are available to students while they attend Waubonsee and are not transferable. Visit www.waubonsee.edu/foundation for more information about scholarships and to apply before the Feb. 3 deadline.

Geneva Masonic Lodge:

In keeping with rich Masonic history, Geneva Masonic Lodge is pleased to announce the William Burton Wood and David M. Wheeler Memorial Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year.

The scholarship will be granted to up to two high school seniors in the amount of up to $1,000 each, that are pursuing a post high school degree in an accredited program.

The scholarship criteria as well as the application may be found at www.genevamasoniclodge.org.

Applicant must be a resident of Geneva or an immediate family member of a brother of Geneva Lodge 139. They must be: a senior in good standing in high school; a U.S. citizen; participate in extracurricular activities (school or other); participate in a community service program; and maintain a C+ (2.75+/4 or 3.75+/5) or better grade-point average.

The application deadline is Sunday, March 8.

Geneva Masonic Lodge 139, located at 10 S. Second St., has been "Making Good Men Better" since 1852 - better brothers, husbands, fathers and citizens.

Freemasonry is perhaps the oldest fraternity still active today. It was publicly organized in 1717 with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England and based upon traditions at least as old as the late 14th century. Freemasonry does not publicly solicit for membership.

Those interested in learning more about Freemasonry and Geneva Masonic Lodge 139 specifically may find additional information at www.genevamasoniclodge.org.

Simon Youth Community Scholarship:

High school seniors living near Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora can apply for a Simon Youth Community Scholarship until Feb. 19.

Recipients will be given up to $1,500 to enroll in a college, university, vocational or technical school. In addition, the top-ranking applicants selected in Simon communities will be eligible for the Award of Excellence, which is a renewable scholarship awarded to one student in eligible Simon regions.

To be eligible, applicants must: be a high school senior attending school and living in a Simon community; be a legal U.S. resident; plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school in the fall 2020; and demonstrate academic promise and financial need.

Applicants will be evaluated based on academic promise, financial need, written response, work experience and community/extracurricular involvement.

For details or to apply, visit syf.org/scholarships.

Golden Hammer Scholarship:

The Golden Hammer Scholarship was established to honor Carl F. Brooks, the longest serving principal of Hampshire High School and Middle School.

Brooks began his career in Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 as an industrial education teacher, later becoming the head of district transportation, and finally Hampshire's principal.

He retired from education in 1990, but continued to serve his community as a member of the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club, Hampshire Lions, and the Hampshire Township Board where he was instrumental in the construction of their new building.

This scholarship is specifically designed for Hampshire High School seniors with a background in the trades (construction, electricity, welding, plumbing and automotive) who plan to continue their education at an accredited two- or four-year trade program.

Application forms have been made available in the student services office at Hampshire High School.

Eligible candidates can call Kim Gavigan at (312) 969-9165 for further details.

Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 21.

Gamma Xi Chapter Foundation:

The Gamma Xi Chapter Foundation for Educational Pursuits announces recruitment grant monies available to high school senior women who intend to prepare for a career in the field of education.

A minimum grant of $750 exists for selected students with an additional $4,000 dollars of further monetary support throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years as long as they remain in education.

Any interested senior female graduate of the class of 2020 who is attending an accredited public or private high school and resides in Elgin Area School District U-46 or Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 attendance areas is eligible for these grant monies.

The Gamma Xi Chapter Foundation for Educational Pursuits is a 501(c)3 charity formed by the Gamma Xi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, which is an honorary educational society for women educators.

Karen Phillips, chair of the foundation's board of directors, states, "We encourage young women to pursue an educational career. One means of encouragement is the yearly offering of monetary grants to women in the current graduation class who intend to pursue a course of study in the field of education."

All applications and supporting materials have been sent to local high school counseling centers in U-46 and District 300, as well as, in the private high schools of these attendance areas.

Applications and supporting materials must be received at the designated address by Friday, Feb. 21.

Eligible candidates can call Kimberly Gavigan at (312) 969-9165 or email kimgavs03@gmail.com for further information.

In 2019, the foundation's board awarded grants to two high school senior women and budgeted an additional $8,000 for stipends available to college sophomores, juniors and seniors who were previous recipients of a foundation grant.

Monies for these grant opportunities are received from various supporters including the EFS Foundation, bequests and/or memorials from local donors, and attendees at the annual fundraising event sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council and The Gamma Xi Foundation for Educational Pursuits.

Anyone interested in supporting the foundation in its mission to Fund Tomorrow's Educators Today or requiring more information about the annual fundraising event may contact Karen Phillips at kphillips51@sbcglobal.net.

Geneva Garden Club:

The Geneva Garden Club is offering a scholarship of $4,000 to a qualified student who intends to pursue an education in horticulture, landscaping, environmental sustainability, or a closely related field. A qualified applicant must be a resident of Geneva ZIP code 60134, who is a graduating high school senior or current college student, intending to pursue his/her education in the above mentioned fields. Those pursuing a Master Gardener certificate may also apply for a scholarship to cover the cost of the course work. All applicants must be received by Monday, March 2. Visit www.genevagardenclub.com/scholarship/ for complete information.

McHenry County Community Foundation:

McHenry County high school seniors or college students attending a college or university in the fall are invited to apply now for numerous scholarships offered through The McHenry County Community Foundation. The foundation is now accepting scholarship applications from students who live in McHenry County and will be attending an institution of higher learning in fall 2020.

Each scholarship fund was created by generous members of the McHenry County community and is designated for a certain cause, school or region. Students are encouraged to apply soon, since application deadlines are in April. See details about and download applications for each scholarship at thecfmc.org/receive/scholarships-available/.

• Mariana Szczesny Scholarship Fund: Multiple scholarships, from $500 to $2,000 for graduating high school seniors from any McHenry County school who demonstrate academic excellence and need for financial help.

• TC Industries Inc. Scholarship: Two four-year scholarships, $1,000 per year, available to children of current TC Industries Inc. employees who exhibit exceptional academic performance and dedication.

• Veterans Assistance Commission Veterans Memorial Scholarship: Multiple scholarships, from $500 to $2,000. High school graduate or graduating high school senior who is the child of active duty personnel, honorably discharged veterans of the United States military, National Guard and military reservists.

• Joe Carnes Scholarship: One scholarship, maximum $1,000. Eligibility is limited to students graduating from Crystal Lake South High School who demonstrate community involvement and academic interests related to those of Joe Carnes. This scholarship honoring the memory of Joseph Carnes is open to all majors, with preference given to students pursing degrees in aviation-related fields, as well as the fields of education and public/community service.

• LeAnn Golembiewski Memorial Scholarship: Annual $500 award, for a total of up to $2,000 over a 4-year period. Graduating female, multisport athletes from Marian Central Catholic High School, with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Preference will be given to students who have experienced hardships.

• Patricia McNamara Scholarships: Awarded to deserving Cary-Grove graduating seniors who have chosen to pursue their career through a postsecondary education from either a vocational, trade or community college. Apply for this scholarship opportunity through the high school.

Print, complete and submit applications to The McHenry County Community Foundation, 630 N. Route 31, Suite 101, Crystal Lake, IL 60012.

Do you know a family, individual, company or nonprofit seeking to set up a scholarship fund to benefit McHenry County students? The McHenry County Community Foundation can help you create and manage a scholarship program. The foundation has the knowledge and experience to notify local high schools and promote scholarship applications; determine eligibility criteria; manage the applications process; connect benefactors to students; and maintain independence and objectivity. For more information on how the foundation can help establish or manage your scholarship program, email connect@thecfmc.org or call (815) 338-4483.