Scholarships
Scholarship List for 2020-2021
*Scholarships are listed in Date Order*
The new FAFSA application process starts October 2020 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Federal/state moneys are distributed on a first come/first serve basis. If you need assistance completing the application please contact the counselor’s office.
This list includes possible scholarships opportunities for the 2020-2021 school year. The site will be updated periodically as scholarships and/or due dates become available for the 2020-2021 school year. (Last year’s scholarship due date and/or scholarship will be left on the list until the new due date/scholarship is available so students can check criteria and have a general idea of the due date. Check the links every couple weeks for updated information. Some sites do not update the information until closer to the due date.)
Check the scholarship closely for criteria, instructions, due date and procedures for submitting.
If you have any questions please contact the counselor’s office.
***Scholarship links are added when the application or site becomes available. The underlined titles are linked to either a website or an application document. Check availability often and HIT REFRESH in your browser to ensure the most recent update is shown.
For more scholarship listings and college/loan information please visit the following web sites:
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ISAC -
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Fastweb - financial aid - www.fastweb.com
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Scholarship Aide - www.scholaraid.com
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Sallie Mae - www.salliemae.com
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Financial aid - www.finaid.org
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ACT's Free Financial Aide Book
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Federal Student Financial Aid Homepage – www.fafsa.ed.gov
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Pre-Paid Tuition – www.collegeillinois.com
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Student Award Search Aid http://www.studentawardsearch.com/
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Student Scholarships www.studentscholarships.org/scholarship.php
Reminder: Scholarships are free money; you should not pay a fee to apply.
Follow the High School Guidance Office on Facebook for up to date reminders and announcements. Just "like" the Mercer County HS Guidance Office when you log in.
Acorn Equality Fund
Due Date - Sept. 18, 2020
Due Date Sept. 30, 2020
Due Date - Oct. 5, 2020
Due Date - Oct. 25, 2020
Due Date - Oct. 31, 2020
Prudential Spirit of Community Award
Due Date - Nov. 10, 2020
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
High School Seniors who plan to major in Computer Science or Computer/Electrical Engineering
Due date - Nov. 15, 2020
Hagan Scholarship
Due Date - November 15, 2020
*cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above required
Due Date - November 1, 2020
Kids’ Chance Inc. of Illinois was founded with the goal of awarding academic college scholarships to deserving children of workers serious injured or killed on the job.
http://www.kidschanceofillinois.com/
Due Date - Dec 15, 2020
Due Date - Dec. 15, 2020
Equitable Excellence Scholarship
*Only the first 10,000 applications will be accepted.
Due Date - Dec. 15, 2020
Odenza Marketing Group Volunteer Scholarship
*GPA 2.5 – must have contributed 50 hours of volunteer service over the last 12 months.
Due Date - Dec. 30, 2020
Quad City Regional Auto Show Scholarship
Due Date - Jan. 4, 2021
*There are numerous scholarships that can be applied for through the FFA Scholarship.
Due Date - January 14, 2021
TEACH Outdoors Scholarship ***NEW***
Awarded directly to a student who is furthering his/her education by attending college, an university or trade school. Applicant must have a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or 3.75/5.0 GPA.
Due Date - January 15, 2021
Illinois State Historical Society
Due Date - January 15, 2021
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
*Students grade 9-12, must submit an essay
Due Date - Jan. 15, 2021
Quad City Engineering & Science Council
*Plan to pursue a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree at a 4 year university.
Due Date - Jan. 25, 2021
-includes the following awards and scholarships:
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Granger E. Westberg Pastoral Care Award
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Kenneth D. Moburg Administrative Award
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Kenneth D. Moburg Educational Scholarship
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Lynn Vermeer Youth Development Scholarship
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Trinity Medical Staff Nursing Scholarship
Due Date - January 29, 2021
IAA Foundation Scholarship Foundation
*72 scholarships awarded
*Parents must be a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau
*Must major in agriculture, agribusiness, or a closely related field
Due Date Feb. 15, 2021
CBAI Foundation for Community Banking
*Questions? E-mail bobbiw@cbai.com
*Banks participating in our area: BankORION, Aledo, IL
Due Date - Students should return essays to their sponsoring bank by February 1, 2021
Illinois School Counselor Association - Post-Secondary Scholarship
$1,000 ISCA student scholarship. All applications must be completed online through the Google Form.
Due Date - Feb 12, 2021
Quad Cities Community Foundation
* Includes the following scholarships for residents of Mercer or Rock Island County:
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Brand Boeshaar Scholarship
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Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School
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Diana DePover-Nesseler Memorial Scholarship
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Don. E. & Charlotte Williams
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Edwin R. Adland & Ruth Adland
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Elise Brett Scholarship
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Great River Bend Cyclone Award Scholarship
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John R Kiley Memorial Scholarship
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Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship
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Louis F. Bulechek Memorial
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Morency Family Scholarship
Due Date - Feb. 15, 2021
The CVM-Illinois Youth Mentoring Health Scholarship
*Quad City area high school seniors and /or undergraduate students who plan to pursue or are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study in math, science or the medical sciences from an accredited college or university.
Due Date - February 12, 2021
*must be a high school senior
*GPA 3.0
*Enrolling in a college or university in education or education-related degree program, which may include but not limited to: Librarians, Instructional Media Specialists, School Nurses, School Psychologists, or Social Workers (all of which require certification from a State Board of Education)
Due Date - Feb. 14, 2020
Due Date - Feb 15, 2021
GFWC Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs Scholarships
Awarding $12,000 in multiple scholarships this year in art, drama, music, education and vocational studies. Open to both Male and Female students. *Must attend an Illinois college/junior college/university/technical/trade school for Fall Semester 2021
Due Date - Feb 15, 2021
Republican Women's Club and Central Committee of Henderson County Scholarship
Applicant must be a Henderson County resident. Turn applications into the Counseling Office.
Due Date - Feb 19, 2021
Illinois Chemical Education Foundation Scholarship
*open to all future chemists, chemical engineers or environmental engineers
Due Date - February 19, 2021
*must attend the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign to apply.
Due Date - Feb. 28, 2021
Karna Foster Impact Scholarship
Due Date - Feb. 28, 2020
*Parents must be members of the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau.
*Pursuing education in agriculture or agri-business.
*No written applications accepted.
Due Date - Feb. 28, 2021
IHMVCU Cash for Class Scholarship
*Must be a IHMVCU member
Due Feb 28, 2021 by 5pm
Holocaust Education Scholarship
Ida Kramer Essay Contest Theme: Children of the Holocaust
Shnurman Holocaust Visual Arts Contest
Guidelines for both contests at
Due date - March 1, 2021
The scholarship application for the masonic scholarships will be online only this year. One application is submitted for the six available scholarships, each of which has unique qualifications
***Date Extended***Due Date - March 15, 2021
*must be a 2020 high school graduate
*preference given to military families
Due Date - March 1, 2021
Illinois Odd Fellows And Rebekahs
*Applicants need not be affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but must be a resident of Illinois and a citizen of the U.S.
Due Date - March 1, 2021
Township Officials of Illinois
Awarding seven $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors who are attending Illinois colleges & universities in the fall of 2021.
Due Date - March 1, 2021
The applicant must be a cancer survivor or currently diagnosed with cancer.
Due Date - March 1, 2019
Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club
*Must be a dependent of a sponsor from ONE of the following categories: Active Duty Military, Reserve Component, or National Guard Member assigned to Rock Island Arsenal. A Department of the Army or Department of Defense Civilian employed at Rock Island Arsenal or retired from Rock Island Arsenal. A retired or deceased active duty military member who is or was associated with Rock Island Arsenal. A RIAWC member or a volunteer in a Rock Island Arsenal philanthropic organization.
Due Date - March 2, 2020
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Due Date - March 2, 2021
Illinois Retired Teacher Association
Applicant must be endorsed by an active IRTA member or descendant of an IRTA member
Application must be submitted prior to student’s junior or senior year of college. Student must be accepted into a Teacher Certificate Program.
Due Date - March 7, 2021
Pursuing a higher education in an office professional, secretarial, or business-related field within the State of IL with preference given at the Univ. of IL.
Due Date - March 8, 2021
Edmond and Hebel FFA Scholarship
Turn application into Guidance Office please.
Scholarship Application -Word Version
Due Date - March 9, 2021
Due Date - March 10, 2021
West Central Illinois National Deer Association Conservation Scholarship
Quality Deer Management Association Scholarship
Must be a graduating seniors with a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent grade point average and pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education (i.e. Junior College, Community College, Technical College, College or University).
Due Date - April 30, 2021
Awarding six $2,000 scholarships to deserving young women in Illinois. If selected, scholarship winners must be willing to participate in our Speak-Off Competition in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, May 2, 2020.
Due date - March 15, 2021
*Applicants must be male, confirmed members of a Lutheran congregation, and attending college in the Fall 2021.
Due Date - March 15, 2021
Great River Teacher Corps Scholarship
*For Education Majors planning to attend or attending WIU
*Must agree to teach in a small town or rural school in West-central Illinois after graduation
Due Date - March 15, 2021
Patti Jeanne Higgins 4-H Scholarship
Resident of Mercer or Warren County, actively involved in 4-H for a minimum of 3 years.
Due March 15, 2020 by 3:30 p.m. to the Mercer County Extension Office in Aledo
Due Date - March 15, 2021
Mercer County 4-H Memorial Scholarship
Must be an active member of a Mercer County 4-H club & a high school senior.
Due Date - March 15, 2021
Illinois Sheriff's Association
Return applications to Mercer County Sheriff’s Department:
Att: Dusty Terrill, Sheriff
906 SW 3rd Street, Aledo, IL 61231
Due Date - March 15, 2021
Compeer Financial High School Senior Scholarship
*designated Ag major, interested in an Ag-related field, or have an agricultural or rural background.
*Special consideration will be given to students of parents who do business with Compeer Financial.
Due Date - March 15, 2021
Exchange Club Youth of the Year
Due Date - March 19, 2021
P.E.O. is an international philanthropic organization of women whose goal is to promote education for women. The Aledo P.E.O. Chapter H is pleased to offer a minimum of $500 scholarship to a graduating senior girl from the Mercer County School District who plans to further her education at an accredited community college or a four-year institution. To be eligible, the young lady must be ranked 11th or lower in class rank and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Due Date- March 19, 2021
Post # 121
MCHS senior, GPA of 2.5 or above
American Legion Aledo
Due Date - March 20, 2021
*A $3,000 scholarship given out to a Christian male freshman attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Fall 2021.
Due Date - March 20, 2021
Students are eligible to receive up to $5,000.
Due Date - March 22, 2021
Aledo Main Street will limit this to the 1st 20 students that have completed all necessary paperwork on or before February 28th..
Due Date - March 26, 2021
Society of American Military Engineers Rock Island Post
Pursuing a career in engineering or physical sciences.
Due Date - March 26, 2021
Applicants must be a member or dependent of a member of the MC Farm Bureau.
Due Date - March 26, 2021
Rock Island County Farm Bureau
*Applicants must be a member or a dependent of a member of the RI Farm Bureau. Applicants DO NOT need to major in agriculture to be eligible.
Due Date - March 26, 2021 by 4:00 PM
This one-time $1,000 scholarship will be awarded any senior that plans to further his or her education in a field that aims to help others live a better life.
Due date - March 27, 2021
GPA of 2.5 or greater
Due Date - March 30, 2021
Trinity Muscatine Scholarships
Two $1,000 scholarships available:
*One for high school seniors graduating in 2021 who are dependents of Trinity Muscatine employees.
*The second for high school seniors who are family members of Trinity Muscatine Friends volunteers.
PDF attached - For Trinity Muscatine Employee Dependents
PDF attached - For Trinity Muscatine Friends Volunteer Family Members
Both due - March 31, 2021
Roger E Higgins Family Scholarship
Mercer County High School graduates that will attend a 2 year or 4 year College, University, or trade school. Scholarship applications can be turned in to the High School Counselor by the due date below.
Due Date - March 31, 2021
Dean Ritter Trust for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Due date - March 31, 2021
Mercer Foundation for Health CNA Scholarship
Due Date - March 31, 2021
Beyond the Cure National Children's Cancer Society
Childhood cancer survivor
Due Date - March 31, 2021
Must show financial need.
Return to counselor’s office.
Due Date - April 01, 2021
Tri-County School Food Service Association
Plans to major in the area of Food Service, Home Econ., Dietetics, Child Care, or other related health fields.
Due Date - April 1, 2021
Lilamae Sipes Memorial Scholarship
Students pursuing non traditional schooling (trade school or certification program).
Due Date - April 1, 2021
Consumer Credit Scholarship - James Lucas Memorial Scholarship
Due Date - April 1, 2021
***New*** Illinois Grand Council Nursing Scholarship Fund
To assist students who are pursuing a career in nursing.
Due Date - April 1, 2021
Tri-State Scholarship
Offered to all who will be attending a Technical or Trade School in 2020. Must have a career in the natural gas and oil industry.
Due Date - April 1, 2020
Mercer County Women for Women
Female applicants only.
Due Date - April 1, 2020
Robert and Dorothy Sponsler Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship open to all Mercer County seniors who are planning on pursuing a post-secondary education.
Due Date - April 1, 2020
This scholarship is open to all Mercer County seniors who are planning on pursuing a post-secondary education. Return to counselor’s office.
April 1 of application year
Brad’s Collision Service Industrial Arts Scholarship
Pursuing a career in an industrial arts field.
Brad’s Collision Service Industrial Arts
Apr. 1 of year applying
Mercer County Retired Teachers Association
Entering Education Field
Mercer County Retired Teachers
Due Date - April 1, 2021
Farmers State Bank of Western IL
Applications can be turned into the guidance office or emailed to kgoben@fsbwil.com
Due Date - April 1, 2021
Richard Smith Memorial Scholarship
Must be entering a Trade/Vocational School in the Fall of 2020.
Due Date - April 3, 2020
Submit application to Aledo Lodge No. 252
101 S.W. 3rd St. Aledo, Il 61231
Due Date - April 9, 2021
Mercer County Education Association
Intend to work toward teacher certification.
Return to counselor’s office.
Due Date - April 16, 2021
John Michael Perry Scholarship
Graduating male planning to attend a 2-yr, 4-yr, vocational, trade, or technical school. Preference given to the following: baseball player, basketball player, one with farming background, or one going into law enforcement.
***Completed applications can be turned into the guidance office or mail to Gina Young 2681-125th Ave. Viola, IL 61486.
Due date - April 12, 2021
S.O.A.R. Scholarship
S – Strength of Character
O – Creating Opportunities to give back to the community
A – Achievement in academics and Voluntarism
R – Resolve shown when faced with an adversarial situation
Due Date - April 15, 2021
Mercer County Golden Eagle Athletic Booster Club
$2000 will be divided and awarded to the top four applicants ($500 each). The athlete's parent/guardian must be a member of the MCAB Club with paid dues.
***Email to Beth Whitenack, beth.whitenack@gmail.com or mail to Beth Whitenack 803 SW 2nd Ave. Aledo, IL 61231. Any questions call/text 309-373-4098
Due Date - April 23, 2021
Mail to: Kiwanis Scholarship
PO Box 92, Aledo, IL 61231
2nd Tues. of April (April 13, 2021)
Ken Cox Lions Agriculture Scholarship
Majoring in Ag or Veterinary Medicine. Minimum 2.5 GPA
Due Date - April 15, 2021
Open to all students with priority given to students entering a Medical Field.
Due Date - April 15, 2021
Open to all students with priority given to students entering a Medical Field.
Due Date - April 15, 2021
Must have graduated from an elementary D.A.R.E. program or participated in a junior high D.A.R.E. program.
*applicant must be drug, alcohol, & tobacco free
Due Date - April 15, 2021
Genesis Medical Center, Aledo Auxiliary
Offering five $500 scholarships to applicants who are Mercer County residents planning to study in the medical field.
Due Date - April 15, 2021
Several different scholarships available. Please check criteria & deadlines for each.
Legacy Scholarship
Due Date - April 15, 2021
William and Alice B. Cubbage Scholarship
Mercer County High School seniors only
Due Date 3rd Friday in April
Due Date - April 16, 2021
Western IL Retired Educators (WIRE)Scholarship
Open to students pursuing a degree in the field of education. All children, grandchildren, and legal wards of deceased, current IEA-NE members, divorced, or IEA-Retired members are eligible to apply.
Due Date - April 17, 2020
Herbert & Elizabeth (Bogguss) McMeekin Scholarship
*turn in to guidance office.
*GPA of at least 3.0
Fourth Friday of April of year applying
Due Date - April 23, 2021
David Wayne Miller Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement
Exhibited a love of artistic expression with plans for further education.
Due Date - April 30, 2021
Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship Program
Must be enrolled in a 2 year or less career or technical degree/certificate program in Fall 2021 that will lead to employment. *Demonstrate a financial need; applicants must be Pell Grant eligible.
Available May 2021
American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship
Applicant must be currently enrolled as a High School Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior (2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024) and must be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Financial need is NOT considered; all income levels are encouraged to apply.
Due Date - May 1, 2021
Mellinger Education Foundation
Application and transcript must be received by May 1
Mellinger Foundation, 1025 East Broadway, Monmouth, Il 61462
(Application available starting Feb. 1)
May 1 of year applying TBA
Dale Garner Memorial Scholarship
Available to any senior who will be attending college or trade school to pursue a career in the Ag field. (Future welders, electricians, plumbers and millwrights are also encouraged to apply)
Due Date - May 2, 2021
Mercer County Jaycees Scholarship
Application must be mailed to Mercer County Jaycees PO Box 97 Aledo, IL 61231.
Due Date - May 3, 2021
Rock Island Optometric Mercer County Family Eye Care Scholarship
To be turned into the Guidance Office at MCHS
Due Date - May 6, 2021
Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency Scholarships
Several $2,000 scholarships available for individuals desiring to further their educational training through an Illinois community college, vocational school, college or university. Must be a resident of Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough or Warren County.
Due Date - May 7, 2021
Mercer Credit Union Scholarship
Due Date - May 15, 2021
Peacekeepers Scholarship
*Law enforcement or military dependents only* Return to the Sheriff's Office in the county of your permanent residence.
Due Date - May 15, 2019
Kid’s Chance Incorporated of Illinois Scholarship
For children of parents/workers who were seriously injured or killed on the job.
Due Date - May 31, 2021
HCEDC Alicia Pence Scholarship
Applicant must be a Henderson County resident and maintained at least a 2.0 GPA throughout High School. The student must also be a community volunteer and have an individual or organization support his/her application.
Due Date - May 31, 2020
Women’s Issues Network
1. Must reside within a 30-mile radius of Galesburg, IL
2. A high school senor attending a school within a 30-mile radius of Galesburg, IL
Due Date - June 19, 2020
Wyffels Hybrids Scholarship and Work Program
Wyffels is offering two $500 scholarships for students at BHC
Due Date - June 14, 2019
Iowa Section Professional Golfers' Association Scholarship
Due Date - June 19, 2020
Abbreviation Finder Scholarship
Due date - July 1, 2020
National Wild Turkey Federation's Academic Scholarship
*Applicant must have current FOID card
*If selected as the scholarship recipient, student is required to attend the NWTF banquet.
Due Date - June 15, 2021