Scholarships

3 cycles, 127+ scholarships, $500K+ awarded, just one stop

Meet the CFNIL Scholarship Class of 2025!

CFNIL is the region's largest private scholarship provider, with over 125 unique scholarships to award this year. We have worked hard to make applying for Community Foundation of Northern Illinois scholarships as simple and efficient as possible. There are three cycles, each with its own "universal" application and timeline. Each cycle's application is accessed via CFNIL's online application portal.

CYCLE & APPLICATION
OPEN - CLOSE
CYCLE SPECIFICSAWARD NOTIFICATION

FALL
November 1 - 
January 1

One application, three scholarships:

  1. Fehr Graham
  2. Gary S. Wilmer/RAMI Music
  3. Howard D. Colman
March 1

WINTER / MAIN
December 1 - 
February 1

One application, 120+ scholarships.May 1

SPRING
March 1 - 
April 1

One application, two scholarships, each designed for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities:

  1. Ann W. Dooley Advancement
  2. Colleen Maher Inspirational
May 1

CFNIL’s scholarship funds were created by donors who recognize the importance of helping students achieve their educational goals now and in perpetuity. Many of CFNIL’s scholarships are memorials, celebrating the lives and passions of individuals. Every CFNIL scholarship has a unique intent, often reflecting the background of the donor or person in whose memory the fund was created. 

CFNIL uses an online "universal" application to ensure the most efficient process; as an applicant, you do not need to pre-determine which scholarships you should apply for! Complete ONE application each cycle, and your answers to a series of yes/no and personal background questions automatically match you to every scholarship you are eligible for. Because our scholarships were created to support students of all ages, backgrounds, and aspirations, we encourage every scholarship seeker (high school graduating seniors and older) to apply!

The applications are read and scored by committees of volunteers who use a “blind” review process and make recommendations to CFNIL’s Board of Trustees. Recipients from the Fall cycle are notified by March 1, from the Winter/Main and Spring cycles on May 1. In mid-June, recipients, donors, reviewers, and supporters are invited to an annual Scholarship Award Night ceremony. Awards are sent directly to the recipient’s post-secondary institution.

Need help getting started? Visit our Scholarship Resources page to learn how to apply! Interested in the two new scholarships available for people with intellectual disabilities? Check out these videos!

Questions? Need help getting started? Contact Heather!

Heather Cunningham, Program Coordinator, headshot
Heather Cunningham
Program Coordinator and IYWT Liaison
Phone: 779-210-8209
Email: Heather Cunningham

Scholarship Filter Options

snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Amanda Reed

Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Civic Engagement/Community Service

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: N/A

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Anna Schiller

Anna Schiller Scholarship

Primary Focus: Civic Engagement/Community Service

Geography: N/A

Specifications: Rockford Christian High School

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Elsie Jefko Carlson Scholarship

Elsie Jefko Carlson Scholarship

Primary Focus: Financial Need

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Floy and Harry Chapin

Harry H. and Floy B. Chapin Scholarship

Primary Focus: Academic

Geography: N/A

Specifications: Academic Performance | Brodhead High School | Dakota High School | Durand High School | Pecatonica High School

Deadline: February 1

See More
autumn leaf icon
Scholarship Image
Howard D. Colman

Howard D. Colman Scholarship

Primary Focus: Manufacturing/STEM

Geography: Boone County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance

Deadline: January 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Jack Lovejoy

Jack Lovejoy Vocational Scholarship

Primary Focus: Non-Traditional | Trades/Vocational Studies

Geography: N/A

Specifications: Hononegah High School | South Beloit High School

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Jan Stringer

Jan Stringer Scholarship

Primary Focus: Dental/Medical

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Picture of Katrina Smith

Katrina Smith Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Non-Traditional

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Keith Maffioli

Keith Maffioli Scholarship

Primary Focus: Financial Need

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Picture of Kristin Wilson

Kristin Wilson Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Civic Engagement/Community Service

Geography: N/A

Specifications: Academic Performance | Non-Traditional | South Beloit High School

Deadline: February 1

See More
rolling symbol icon
Scholarship Image
La Voz Latina

La Voz Latina Scholarship

Primary Focus: Other

Geography: Boone County | Jo Daviess County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: N/A

Deadline: Rolling deadline

See More
snowflake icon

Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship

Primary Focus: Financial Need

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Photo of Odile

Odile E. Coble Scholarship

Primary Focus: Manufacturing/STEM

Geography: Stephenson County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Pay It Forward Scholarship image

Pay It Forward Scholarship

Primary Focus: Other

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Phyllis Howard photo

Phyllis Howard Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Firefighter/Fire Science/Police

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
R.I.S.E. Nursing Scholarship

R.I.S.E. Nursing Scholarship

Primary Focus: Dental/Medical

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Richard Dopp

Richard Dopp Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Business | Dental/Medical

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon

Senior Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Academic

Geography: N/A

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need | Rockford Public School District #205

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Sorensen Memorial Music Scholarship image

Sorensen Memorial Music Scholarship

Primary Focus: Arts (Performing/Visual)

Geography: Boone County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need | Renewable

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Sorensen Memorial Theater Scholarship image

Sorensen Memorial Theater Scholarship

Primary Focus: Arts (Performing/Visual)

Geography: Boone County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need | Renewable

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Terrance Freeman Sr. photo

Terrance Freeman Sr. Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Firefighter/Fire Science/Police

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Tyler Kinison - photo

Tyler Kinison Memorial Scholarship

Primary Focus: Firefighter/Fire Science/Police

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Financial Need | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
University of Michigan - logo

University of Michigan Scholarship

Primary Focus: Academic

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Academic Performance | Graduate Student | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Photo of Ginny

Virginia K. Meyer Scholarship

Primary Focus: Dental/Medical

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Graduate Student | Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More
snowflake icon
Scholarship Image
Women of Today's Manufacturing logo

WoTM Scholarship

Primary Focus: Manufacturing/STEM

Geography: Boone County | Ogle County | Rock County | Stephenson County | Winnebago County

Specifications: Non-Traditional

Deadline: February 1

See More