IVCC students can apply for almost $300K in scholarships

Current and incoming Illinois Valley Community College students can apply for almost $300,000 worth of scholarships through March 6. The experience will be easier than ever thanks to a new online program that streamlines the process.

Scholarships will be awarded in June and applied to the 2025-26 school year. IVCC Foundation Executive Director Tracy Beattie reminds students that the application is only open once a year, so it is important to take time to apply now.

Beattie expects the number of applicants to grow this year, as rising enrollment brings more students looking to finance their education, and she hopes the simplicity of the new software encourages more applicants.

“The IVCC Foundation has invested in new software with the intention of creating a better experience for our students,” Beattie said.

Scholarships are available in almost every area of study, but not all awards are tied to specific disciplines. More than 80 general scholarships are available to students who are undecided or in an area of study without a scholarship available.

Students are not required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for an IVCC scholarship, but they are encouraged to do so to be considered for needs-based scholarships.

“Not all scholarships are need-based,” Beattie said. “There are scholarships for every type of student and financial need, and a high GPA is not always required. Do not assume that you will not qualify for anything.”

As a veteran at filling out forms, second-year student and scholarship recipient Emma Garretson appreciated IVCC’s approach.

“IVCC makes its process of applying straightforward and easy, compared to other scholarship applications I have encountered,” Garretson said. “It is all about you. And you can apply once and be eligible for multiple scholarships.”

Garretson expects several more years of schooling – and expenses – to become a physical therapist, so any assistance now is welcome.

“I have a lot of school ahead of me, and the debt is going to add up,” she said.

But Garretson said a scholarship’s boost is not merely financial.

“I know that people have confidence in my ability and are cheering me on,” she said. “It is much more than financial support; it is a source of motivation to keep striving and a reassurance that your hard work is being recognized.”

Recipient Yair Santiago already is looking beyond graduation to begin applying his automotive skills professionally. He advises prospective scholarship applicants not to be intimidated and not to rule out any options.

“There are many scholarships that will give you a chance to achieve a career,” Santiago said.

Last year when he prepared his application, Santiago sought the advice and guidance of his Project Success counselor, who he said was a huge help.

Echoing Santiago’s advice, Beattie pointed to the IVCC Tutoring and Writing Center as another excellent resource for reviewing applications. Seeking that help gives students confidence in the application they submit, she said.

The application window opened Feb. 6. Applicants can create an account at ivcc.awardspring.com to begin. After providing identification and academic record information, they can move on to detail their educational and professional goals, community service and involvement, and financial need.

For more information about the scholarships, call Donna Swiskoski, a scholarship specialist for the IVCC Foundation, at 815-224-0551.