Private Scholarships
Many community organizations, banks, credit unions, clubs, fraternal orders, businesses and employers sponsor a variety of private scholarships. Students are encouraged to contact these organizations about scholarship opportunities. High school guidance offices are also an excellent resource for scholarship listings, searches and assistance. Many private scholarships are awarded well before the fall semester begins, so students should start the search and application process early and pay close attention to deadlines.
The American Legion offers a variety of college and vocational or trade school scholarships that support academic achievement, leadership, and military-connected families. These programs help eligible students nationwide to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.
From the Samsung American Legion Scholarship for Boys State and Girls State participants to the needs-based Legacy Scholarship for children of post-9/11 fallen service members or disabled veterans, The American Legion invests in future leaders. Other awards include scholarships for Legion Baseball players, National Oratorical Contest finalists, Eagle Scouts, Junior Shooting Sports champions and ANAVICUS scholars.
Each program reflects The American Legion’s commitment to youth, education, and citizenship. Explore the links below for eligibility requirements, deadlines and application details.
Please click here to view all scholarship opportunities provided by American Legion
Since 1931, the Elks National Foundation has helped students recognize their academic dreams. Each year, we award nearly $4 million in college scholarships to at least 850 outstanding, service-minded high school seniors. Once you’re an Elks scholar, you’re family.
Eligibility:
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- Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
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- Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
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- High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
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- Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
- Scholarships are available only to students who enroll in four-year undergraduate degree programs at accredited U.S. American colleges or universities.
The 2027 application deadline is November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., Pacific Time.
Awards:
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- The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships.
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- Male and female students compete separately.
- Ranging from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.
- NOTE: The Chicago office of the Elks National Foundation will announce the 500 national winners of the 2027 contest in April 2027. (Many local Lodges, districts and state Elks associations award their own scholarships through this program. These scholarships are not to be confused with the 500 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships.)
Earn and Learn with The Equity Scholarship!
Scholarship applications will be open until Friday, December 11. Contact scholarships@theequity.com if you have further questions.
Before starting an application, please note the following eligibility criteria:
1. You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
(State funds provided to The Golden Apple Foundation shall not be awarded to participants who do not meet the federal definition
of a U.S. Citizen or an Eligible NonCitizen as determined by the United States Department of Education.)
2. You must be a resident of Illinois, Michigan, or New Mexico.
3. If you are a dependent, your parent/guardian must also be a resident of the state in which you live.
4. You must be a high school senior or freshman/sophomore college student.
5. You must have a personal (non-school / non-work) email account. (Gmail preferred)
Apply Now for a $1,000 IACRAO Transfer Student Scholarship!
Are you transferring to another Illinois college or university for the 2027–2028 academic year? You may be eligible for a $1,000 IACRAO Leadership and Service Scholarship! IACRAO (Illinois Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) is offering two scholarship opportunities for outstanding transfer students, Leadership and Service Scholarship and Leadership and Service Scholarship for Underrepresented Students.
Eligibility Requirements
✅ Accepted for transfer between IACRAO member institutions
✅ Completed at least 45 credit hours at an IACRAO member institution
✅ Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) by end of 2026–2027 academic year
✅ For underrepresented student scholarship: must identify as part of a historically underrepresented group
Material Needed
Academic (Faculty, Academic Advisor, or Counselor) Recommendation Form
Don’t miss this opportunity to be recognized for your leadership, service, and academic achievement!
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund (IPS) is a fund established in 1949 to provide scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada. The maximum award amount is $12,500.
The scholarship is based upon demonstrated need; however, the award is not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. At the time of application, the applicant is required to indicate additional financial resources adequate to meet her estimated expenses. Examples of additional resources are personal and family funds, tuition waivers, work, scholarships, teaching assistantships, study grants and other scholarships. The maximum amount awarded to a student is $12,500. Lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs.
The eligibility period is September 15 to December 15.
Eligibility Requirements
A woman is eligible for consideration for an International Peace Scholarship if she:
- is a woman* outside the United States and Canada who is seeking an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada;
- will return to her home country to utilize her education to make a positive impact and foster global peace; and
- has a full year of formal coursework remaining and is enrolled and in residence in the U.S. or Canada for the entire school year; or
- is an international student attending Cottey College
Please note:
- Doctoral students who have completed coursework and are working only on dissertations are not eligible as first-time applicants.
- A student who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada is not eligible. A student with residency for tax purposes only is permitted.
- Scholarships are not given for online courses, research, internships or for practical training if not combined with formal coursework.
Applications will be accepted again starting September 15, 2026.
Announcement of awards is made in May. See the full IPS Application Calendar dates for the current term of study.
Click here to learn more and apply for the International Peace Fund Scholarship
On average, the life of a scholarship is $12,000 for a 2-year degree and $20,000 for a 4-year degree.
Our scholarship program is offered to high school seniors interested in hands-on operational or applicator roles that include operating equipment, handling product, and applying products on grower’s farms, or on-farm sales roles of products such as seed, fertilizer, precision farming, or energy products such as fuel, propane, etc. Additionally, students interested in office related roles: accounting, administrative support, customer service, finance, marketing, etc. are eligible to apply.
South Central FS will cover the entire cost of in-district tuition and fees each semester for a student attending a 2-year junior college or equivalent vocational program of their choice. For students attending a 4-year university, we will contribute towards their tuition as well. Following graduation, scholarship recipients will be guaranteed full-time employment, with a minimum requirement of being employed with South Central FS for 2 years. Students have the option to work, as available, during their school semesters and on breaks. Recipients of this scholarship will be selected based on work ethic, attitude, character, teamwork and desire to work in agriculture. Scholarship winners must also work for South Central FS during any Supervised Occupational Experience (SOE) programs if required for their degree. This is available only to high school seniors. Children of South Central FS and Total Grain Marketing employees are eligible, but if awarded, cannot share a supervisor.
To be eligible, students must complete an application, submit 2 letters of recommendation, and their transcripts to be considered. All materials must be emailed or postmarked by November 30, 2026. Applications can be submitted to Brandi O’Dell at bodell@southcentralfs.com or mailed to our corporate office at South Central FS, Attn: Brandi O’Dell, PO Box 629, Effingham, IL 62401. Any application missing required materials, will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be conducted in December to finalize winners. Scholarship winners will be notified in January 2027.
If you have questions about our scholarship program, please contact Brandi O’Dell at bodell@southcentralfs.com or call the corporate office at 217-342-9231.
More opportunities are dropping soon… Stay tuned and check back often!