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Outside Scholarships

"Outside Scholarships" refer to awards provided by an entity outside of °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï.

These scholarships might be from a parents' employer, community organization, philanthropic group, etc. The College does not specifically endorse any of these scholarships, nor do we play any part in the requirements, selection or payment of funds listed here. While we believe that the resources below are worthwhile, we do not guarantee the authenticity of the information or websites, and do not endorse the information or services offered.

In the early weeks of the 2024-2025 academic year, our records show that 133 Lake Forest students received at least one scholarship from an outside source this academic year, totaling over $650,000 ... nearly $5000 per person!  Last year, approximately 200 students received over $1.3M in total scholarships from outside sources.

If you receive funds from a source other than the College, please notify our office. Such “outside scholarships” will normally reduce the amount your family pays or the loans you use. In some cases, it affects your loan or work-study eligibility. On rare occasions it affects a College need-based grants. General requirements are listed below; others may be found on the individual websites.

January Deadlines

  -  January 8

Two Programs:    Employee Program & Non-Employee Program

$5,000 to $25,000 per recipient, renewable

Requirements:  

  • Must be legal U.S. resident or the child of an active duty U.S. military member
  • Must be at least 16 - 26 years of age
  • Must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary educational program in the U.S.
  • Must be in good academic standing

Additional requirements for the Employee Program:

  • A Taco Bell employee in a restaurant position, in good standing (see web site for details)

  -  January 10

Two Awards of $10,000 each, to one man and one woman.

Former student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school are eligible to be nominated by that school for an NCAA graduate degree scholarship, regardless of when they received their undergraduate degree.

  • Have an overall undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 or better (based on a maximum 4.000), or the equivalent in other recognized grading systems;

  • Are in their final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or will not be using any remaining athletics eligibility;

  • Be enrolled in graduate study at an NCAA member institution or be a graduating senior committed to enrolling in a graduate degree program within five years of being named a McKay Scholar;

  • Demonstrate efforts in the communication field or have an interest beyond their major to contribute to sports communication;

  • Ascribe to the highest levels of integrity, including the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability;

  • Have evidenced superior character and leadership;

  • Have an understanding and appreciation for the legacy of Jim McKay, his contributions to sport broadcasting and specifically his award-winning oratory on the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

The Jim McKay Scholarship nomination is submitted by the faculty athletics representative or designee. There is no limit to the number of qualified students or student-athletes that an institution can nominate. It is the responsibility of the FAR or FAR Designee to ensure all sections of the nomination are submitted to the NCAA national office not later than January 10.

  -  January 31

20 Awards of $10,000 based on academic achievement, financial need and Hellenic values. $20,000 given to those studying music or arts

20 Awards of $2,500 based solely on academic achievement and Hellenic values.

Scholarship Requirements (see website for details)

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
  • Must be of Hellenic (Greek) descent.  
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student Fall ‘24

  -  January 31

Each month, a $2000 award is given. You may end up on their mailing list to receive numerous offers of student loan options.

February Deadlines

(CFNIL) February 1

120 scholarships ranging from $500 - $10,000

Each CFNIL scholarship is created with a specific purpose in mind. As you complete the application, the system automatically matches you with every scholarship for which you are eligible and will present you with a specific written prompt for each. 

Common Requirements: 

  • must be a resident of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson or Winnebago Counties
  • must be an undergraduate (grad students eligible only ifspecified by the donor)
  • former school must be an accredited institution, private non-profit or publicly supported

  -  February 3

 480 scholarships of $1000/year;   20 scholarships of $7500/year

 Requirements:

  • Current HS seniors
  • Any child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, or legal ward of a living Elk
  • Additional conditions apply

  -  Feb 7

Open to  Chicago Public Schools seniors graduating in June. Must have a 3.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Must have demonstrated high character and leadership at home, at school, or in their community.

 (HSF) -  Feb 15

The HSF administers many scholarships to high school and college students, awarding over 10,000 scholarships valued at over $30M each year. Selection is based on merit; the amount is based on need.

Awards:  $500 to $5,000

Requirements:

  • Must be of Hispanic Heritage
  • US Citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA for high school student; minimum of 2.5 for college and graduate students
  • Plan to enroll full time in an accredited, public or non-profit, four-year university or graduate school, in the US, for the 2025-2026 academic year.

 

  -  February 17  (opens Jan 10)

Awards:  $2500 - $20,000

 General Requirements (others apply):

  • Be a KFC U.S. restaurant employee at a site that participates in the KFC Foundation’s Annual Donation Program
  • Be a high school senior/graduate or college undergraduate/graduate
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (for $2500/$5000) or  5 ($10,000/$20,000)
  • Enroll either full-time or part-time

 

March Deadlines

  -  March 1  

Up to $5000 per year

Requirements:

  • HS senior, college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior returning for 5th year
  • African-American, Hispanic, American Indian, Native Hawaiian/Alaskan, Pacific Islander
  • full-time student
  • U.S. citizen, permanent resident or DACA status
  • minimum GPA of 3.0 and   able to demonstrate financial need according to FAFSA;
  • majoring in: chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chem-related science
  • planning a career in the chemical sciences or chemical technology;

  -  March 1

Scholarships to Jewish students, primarily for those with financial need who are pursuing careers in the helping professions.

Scholarships up to $4,000.

Requirements:

  • Are Jewish
  • Were born and raised in Chicago metropolitan area (see website)
  • Intend to remain in the Chicago metropolitan area after completing school
  • Are entering an accredited graduate program in a helping profession on a full-time basis for the full 2025-2026 academic year   or
  • Are entering your junior or senior year of an accredited bachelor’s degree program in a “helping profession” (see website) on a full-time basis for the full 2025-2026 academic year
  • Demonstrate financial need and career promise

-  March 7

Awards:  IRTA - 6 @ $2000 each;  Helen Kennedy - 1 @ $2000;  Moler-Austin - 2 @ $4500

Common Requirements:

  • be a resident of Illinois and/or Illinois HS graduate (see application)
  • be majoring in the field of education
  • may require acceptance into a Teacher Certification Program
  • have minimum GPA of 3.0
  • live in the IRTA Foundation area from which the application is made
  • The IRTA Foundation Scholarships are  for Jr - Sr year
    The Helen Kennedy Scholarship is for Soph – Sr year
    The Moler-Austin Scholarship are $4500 each (Kendall County HS grad), Soph - Sr

April Deadlines

-  April 7

Award:  $1,000

Requirements:

  • Undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in law
  • Attending college in the Spring 2025 or Fall 2025
  • Must be a US citizen or permanent resident
  • At least 17 years of age

  -  April 30  (opens April 1)

The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship creates opportunities for family members of service members and Veterans to achieve their educational dreams.

Must meet one of the following conditions:

  • The applicant is a veteran with 100% service connected disability
  • The applicant is a surviving spouse of a deceased servicemember from a service-related death
  • The applicant is a surviving child of a deceased servicemember from a service-related death

General Websites

Consider creating a separate email address for scholarship searches, in case you get a lot of unwanted email.

  •  
  •   -  scholarship search
  • -  scholarship searches;  see also 
  • -  browse scholarships by your home state
  • -  scholarships for minority students, not just those at online institutions
  • -  scholarship search
  • -   scholarship search
  •   -  scholarship search


Special Categories / Web Sites:

 and  are not just for online schools...lists for many women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and students with disabilities. Similarly, Purdue University has graciously shared , for similar student populations.

Hispanic Students

 

 (for law school)

  -  opens January 1 each year;  mid-Feb deadline

 -  National Alliance for Hispanic Health

  -  scholarship search

 (Latinos in Science and Engineering)   Nov 19 deadline

Military Affiliation

 (general resource, various service branches)

Air Force -  

American Legions (two sites)
     -  child, grandchild, great-grandchild of a veteran
     -  child of post-9/11 veteran who died on active duty, or is disabled

Amvets -    

 

  -  veterans/children

  -  if your parent died in service after 9/11

 -  25 military-related resources  

 

  - Veterans, family members

 - separate fall/spring deadlines

  

 - Lake Forest participates  

Native American Scholarships

 

   

Resource: 

Off-Campus Study

 (American Institute For Foreign Study)

  

 -  scholarships, fellowships, internships

Polish Descent

From Top Ten Online Colleges - 

State/Location Specific

  - scholarship search

 -  over 150 scholarships to pursue 

 -  grants, loans, and scholarships for all grade levels

 - Community Fndtn of Northern IL;  Winter Cycle has 120+ scholarships;  Feb 1 deadline

 - IL Assoc'n of College Admissions Counseling;  March 2 is the 2025 deadline

 -  Wentcher Foundation;  Feb 7 is the 2025 deadline

  -  grant and scholarship programs

 -  and

 

  

 - February 1 is the 2025 deadline

  -  scholarship search

Transfer Students

Community College students  -  

Oakton Community College students  -  

 - various awards, criteria, deadlines

Undocumented Students

 (open to Chicago Public School seniors)

Immigrants Rising       

Other Resources

About Scholarship Scams

Contact Financial Aid

Phone and Fax

847-735-5103
finaid@lakeforest.edu

Location

Patterson Lodge, 2nd Floor
Middle Campus, Map

Hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

FINANCIAL AID STAFF

Jerry Cebrzynski
Associate Vice President for Financial Aid
847-735-5104
cebrzynski@lakeforest.edu

Mark Anderson
Associate Director
847-735-5010
anderson@lakeforest.edu

Adriana Rodriguez
Associate Director for Financial Aid Operations
VA Certifying Official
847-735-5015
rodriguez@lakeforest.edu

Si necesita hablar con alguien en español en la oficina de ayuda financiera, usted puede llamar a Adriana Rodriguez.