Community Foundation Scholarship Application Portal Opens Jan. 1

Macon, Piatt and Moultrie Counties - Need funding to help pay for college or trade school? Because of donor generosity, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is accepting scholarship applications to help fund fall semester 2025 educational expenses for graduating high school seniors. Any high school senior graduating from a high school in the HICF service area who has been accepted at an accredited college, university, or trade school is encouraged to apply. Scholarship awards vary in size from $500 to $10,000. Beginning January 1^st, students can apply online at www.heartofillinois.org. Applications will be accepted via the online scholarship portal through March 1, 2025 (11:59 PM).

Commitment to education is evidenced through the many scholarship funds established by donors at the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation. Each year these funds provide well over $110,000 and benefit more than 75 graduating seniors and current college students in the HICF service area.

Opportunities have expanded for the upcoming cycle, to include Piatt and Moultrie Counties in addition to Macon with the addition of new scholarships including the recently announced Wiesemann Family Scholarship fund. Other doors to furthering education will also be opened to students through new awards including the $1K Golden K Kiwanis Club of Decatur Trade Scholarship and $5K Hickory Point Bank Educational Opportunity Scholarship, among others. These additions will provide up to 15 more sizeable awards in the upcoming cycle.

Applications are also being accepted from adult/nontraditional students residing in the HICF service area for the Adult Scholarship Program. The HICF has provided over $100K in annual educational support through this program. Adults who are 22 or older and are seeking to complete apprenticeships, associate or bachelor’s degrees, or professional training locally or at any other accredited college/university nationwide (in-person or online) after interruptions in their education are encouraged to apply. Those pursuing graduate-level degrees are also welcome to apply. Awards range from $1,000 up to $2,500. Adult Scholarship applications are also due by March 1, 2025.

For eligibility requirements, additional details and to apply, please visit www.heartofillinois.org. Awards will be announced in May 2025. Questions about the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Programs or inquiries about establishing new scholarships should be directed to HICF Director of Scholarships and Grant Administration, Andrea Gerhard, at agerhard@heartofillinois.org or 217.429.3000.