Scholarship Program Overview

The Community Foundation administers a variety of college scholarships. Each scholarship was established by generous donors and is unique, with its own set of criteria for applicants.

Students may apply for and be awarded multiple scholarships. There are scholarships available for graduating seniors as well as current and returning college students. Currently, the majority of awards are offered to students from Sangamon County, but the number of scholarships for students throughout the Foundation's service area continues to grow. The Foundation serves Sangamon, Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, and Morgan counties.

To review specific information and instructions on how to apply for scholarships, please revisit our website toward the end of the calendar year. 2026 scholarship applications will be available from January 1, 2026 to March 1, 2026. Applicants should submit their scholarship applications via the Foundation's website during this time period.

If you have questions regarding the scholarship opportunities offered by the Community Foundation, please email scholarships@CFLL.org.

2025 Scholarship Recipients

Student of the Year Scholarship Finalists

Name School Scholarship Awarded
Isha Ramkumar Springfield High School $10,000
Taylor Brewer Pleasant Plains High School $5,000
Rylee Mitts Lanphier High School $5,000
Kitt Bryant Glenwood High School $2,500
Alexander Hockenyos Springfield High School $2,500

Ada McCombs White Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Jayce Privia A-C Central High School

American Legion Post 32 Scholarship

Name School
Alivia Kent Taylorville High School/Illinois State University
Allison Klinner Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Anthony Benson Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Colton Campbell  Springfield High School

Auntie Barb/Held Family Scholarship

Name School
Abilene Norris  Lincolnwood High School

Brody Wilson Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Sophie Rock  Williamsville High School

Camp Care-A-Lot Scholarship

Name School
Eric West  University of Illinois Springfield 

CFLL Service Scholarship

Name School
Trager Shultz  Pleasant Plains High School

Charlie Cottle Scholarship

Name School
Carter Simmons Glenwood High School

COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship

Name School
Neko Baker Springfield High School
Isabella Canny Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Morgan Cowdrey Lincolnwood High School
Lucy Graham Lanphier High School
Becca Hill Nokomis High School
Elaine Lansaw Greenfield High School
Lillian McEvers Triopia High School
Skylar Patterson Glenwood High School
Holt Zeidler Rochester High School
Katie Zobus University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Davey Scholarship

Name School
Leah Robinson Springfield Southeast High School

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship

Name School
Jordan Borders Springfield High School
Jada Jackson Springfield Southeast High School
Imani Jones Springfield High School
Savannah Knox Springfield Southeast High School
Alexandria Rice MacArthur High School
Leah Robinson Springfield Southeast High School
Devyn Slater St. Teresa High School
Anijah Wallace Lanphier High School
Haydyn Watson MacArthur High School
Wyatt Wilder MacArthur High School

Donna and Donald Lee Wolaver Memorial Golf Scholarship

Name School
Macie Petropoulos Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Dr. Ruth Richardson Scholarship

Name School
Anijah Wallace Lanphier High School

Frontiers - JD Washington Scholarship

Name School
Jamarion Bardwell Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Niri French Auburn High School
Jaylin Hayley Springfield Southeast High School
Braimah Kanu, Jr. Springfield Southeast High School
Luke Smith Glenwood High School

Frontiers - James Forstall Scholarship

Name School
Jamarion Bardwell  Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Jaylynn Clayton Lanphier High School
Lucy Graham Lanphier High School
David Greene Springfield Southeast High School
Jada Jackson Springfield Southeast High School
Lucas Smith Glenwood High School
Jae'Von Solomon Springfield Southeast High School
Adrian Whyte Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Talaya Williams Springfield Southeast High School
Dominique Wilson Springfield High School

Gerald F. and Luanna R. Kennedy Scholarship

Name School
Isaiah Harbert   Pana High School 

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois Founder's Scholarship

Name School
Arianna Toney Jacksonville High School

Ila M. Skelton Scholarship

Name School
Payton Heise Murray State (Springfield High School)
Jada Jackson Springfield Southeast High School

Illinois Women in Leadership - Chrysalis

Name School
Amanda Pingleton University of Illinois Springfield
Kera Pusch Lincoln Land Community College

Illinois Women in Leadership - High School

Name School
Jaylynn Clayton Lanphier High School
Brooke Lyons Springfield High School
Isha Ramkumar Springfield High School
Reese Watson Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Jamie K. Patino Math and Science Scholarship

Name School
Mia Gephart Springfield Southeast High School

Jean Lee Hiller Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Aulona Letniku Taylorville High School

Jim Byron Scholarship

Name School
Kaedyn Locke Williamsville High School

Jim Muller Build a Better Future Scholarship

Name School
William Bushong Athens Community High School
Zakkary Edwards Athens Community High School
Cody Tobias Athens Community High School
RJ Wehmhoff Athens Community High School

John & Judy Woodruff Performing Arts Scholarship

Name School
Claire Wright Springfield High School

Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Charles Boehl Springfield High School
Miracle Harrison Springfield High School
Reese Jennings Springfield High School
Aubri Kruse Springfield High School
Celia Potts Springfield High School

Linda S. Culver Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Maia Dothager Staunton Community High School
Sophia Pollock Lutheran High School
Emma Wiker Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Lori L. Kashmer Scholarship

Name School
Mia Volpert Springfield High School

Mary Lou & Dwight Pitman Scholarship

Name School
Darcy Jagels Williamsville High School

MMBL Scholarship

Name School
Ajeont Lee Lanphier High School

Nicholas DeBrun Hands On Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Damien Tarrant Morrisonville High School

Paul V. Gage Community Service Scholarship

Name School
Leeann Jackson Vienna High School

Pearl Fairfield Scholarship

Name School
Leah Robinson Springfield Southeast High School

Polly Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship

Name School
Jackie Tucka Springfield High School

Roland Machinery Scholarship

Name School
Gavin Zoerner Glenwood High School

SAHBA Construction/Robert E. von Behren Memorial Scholarship

Name School
Garrett Hale Litchfield High School

Sgt. John Dalhaus Scholarship

Name School
Payton Noyes Litchfield High School

Tom and Dee O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing

Name School
Sawyer Fraase Springfield High School
Gabriel Lobmaster Springfield Southeast High School
Bailey Morris Jacksonville High School

Tom and Dee O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing (Renewal)

Name School
Jamya Fallen Concordia University-Wisconsin (Springfield High School)
Braden Nicoll Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield Southeast High School)

 Tripp Bringe Scholarship

Name School
Barrett Morse PORTA High School
Tyler Sathoff PORTA High School
Addison Stadsholt Athens Community High School

W.G. Bird Teachers' Scholarship

Name School
Jett Cocagne Auburn High School

Walter and Polly Roesch Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois Scholarship

Name School
Jamarian Bardwell Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

World War II Illinois Descendants Scholarship

Name School
Kimber Linderman Pawnee High School
Lucy Graham Lanphier High School

2025 Scholarships

The 2025 Scholarship Program is closed. Applications are accepted from January 1 through midnight on March 1. Please visit our website during the same time next year to submit your 2026 applications.

Scholarship Description
Ada McCombs White Memorial Scholarship Current or former graduates of A-C Central High School in Ashland, IL, pursuing a teaching career.
American Legion Post 32 Scholarship To assist graduating seniors or first-time college students who have been in the workforce with obtaining a post-secondary education who live in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan or Sangamon counties in Illinois.
Anthony Benson Memorial Scholarship African American senior graduating from Springfield High School demonstrating extra-curricular involvement.
Brody Wilson Memorial Scholarship Graduating senior of Williamsville High School involved in the arts and/or soccer.
Camp Care-A-Lot Scholarship Former Camp Care-A-Lot campers who demonstrate financial need.
Charlie Cottle Scholarship Chatham Glenwood High School varsity athlete
COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship Graduates of high schools throughout Sangamon, Macoupin, Montgomery, Morgan and Greene counties who have demonstrated exemplary community service.
Davey Scholarship Graduating senior of a high school in Christian, Morgan or Sangamon counties in Illinois enrolling as a full-time student this fall
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship African American students who are graduating seniors of a high school in the Springfield-Decatur, IL service area of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and demonstrate Delta's core values of sisterhood, scholarship and service.
Don W. Estaque Jr. Scholarship Graduates of Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL, who have attended LHS for four years, and lettered 3 out of their 4 years as a male member of the LHS men's cross country or track teams. Endorsement of the principal and athletic director required.
Donna and Donald Lee Wolaver Memorial Golf Scholarship Golf team member at a high school in Sangamon County.
Frontiers James Forstall Scholarship Preference is given to African American students (either male or female) and to applicants with substantial financial need who reside in Sangamon County.
Gerald F. and Luanna R. Kennedy Scholarship Graduating senior from Pana High School with a demonstrated history of contribution to the community.
Girls on the Run Founder's Scholarship Alumna of the Girls on the Run of Central Illinois program and attending an accredited community college, four-year college/university or trade/vocational school this fall.
Ila M. Skelton Scholarship Graduating high school senior or currently enrolled college student residing in Sangamon County attending an accredited community college, four-year college/university or trade/vocational school this fall.
Illinois Women in Leadership — Chrysalis Award Female from Sangamon County who has earned a high school diploma or GED at least 5 years ago who exhibits leadership qualities, strong potential, and desire for professional growth
Illinois Women in Leadership — High School Scholarship Female from Sangamon County who exhibits leadership qualities, strong potential and desire for professional growth.
Jamie K. Patino Math and Science Scholarship Springfield Southeast High School student seeking a degree in the field of engineering, math or science.
Jean Lee Hiller Memorial Scholarship Current or former, female graduate of Taylorville High School, pursuing a four-year degree in pre-med, veterinary science or business and demonstrates financial need.
Jim Byron Scholarship Williamsville High School student invovled in service and school activities.
Jim Muller Build a Better Future Scholarship Fund  Current or recent graduate (within the past 4 years) from Athens, PORTA or Greenview high schools, planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution, including a college, university, trade, or vocational institution in the coming fall as full-time student, pursuing a degree or certificate in a program in the building trades, including but not limited to Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Architecture & Engineering.
John and Judy Woodruff Performing Arts Scholarship Graduating high school senior or college freshman from Sangamon County or adjacent county planning to major or minor in the performing arts. 
Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship Must be nominated by Springfield High Guidance Counselor; contact your guidance counselor for more information. Unsolicited applications will not be accepted.
Linda S. Culver Memorial Scholarship Be a graduating senior, returning undergraduate or graduate student attending an accredited college and is currently registered as a Girl Scout with the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.
Lori L. Kashmer Scholarship Pursuing a degree in nursing, health or medical career or in veterinary medicine as a part-time or full-time student that exhibits a passion for learning and demonstrates financial need.
Margaret Johnson Special Education Scholarship Graduating from a high school in Sangamon County and pursuing a degree in special education, with the intent of teaching special education students.
Mary Lou and Dwight Pitman Scholarship Area public high school student in Sangamon County other than Springfield School District or Chatham School District with siblings planning to or attending college.
Mid-Illinois Communications Association Scholarship Open to rising juniors, seniors and graduate students majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields such as marketing, design, videography, photography, etc., who are from Central Illinois or attend a college or university in Central Illinois.
MMBL Scholarship Graduating senior of Lanphier High School planning to attend an accredited college, university, vocation, or technical school in the coming fall.
Nicholas DeBrun Hands On Memorial Scholarship Graduating senior from Morrisonville High School pursuing post-secondary education in a vocational field.
Paul V. Gage Community Service Scholarship Vienna High School student demonstrating financial need as well as a record of community service through volunteerism.
Pearl Fairfield Scholarship Graduating senior from a high school in Sangamon County that demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to students from a single-parent household.
Polly W. Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship Graduating senior from a high school in Sangamon County pursuing a degree in the field of vocal music, performing arts and educational majors with a concentration in vocal music.
Reverend Kenneth H. White and Evelyn N. White Scholarship Lanphier High School graduating student planning to obtain a State Teaching Certificate to teach in the public school system.
Roland Machinery Scholarship Open to students pursuing a degree or certificate in a profession related to construction, mechanical engineering, or other related trades. Must be a graduating senior from a high school in one of the following counties: Sangamon, Christian, Montgomery, Macoupin, Scott, Morgan, Cass, Menard, Mason and Logan.
SAHBA Construction/Robert E. von Behren Memorial Scholarship Open to students pursuing a career in the building industry in the following counties: Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Scott.
Sgt. John R. Dalhaus Memorial Vocational Scholarship Graduating student from Litchfield High School or a high school in Montgomery or Macoupin Counties participating in programs through the South-Central Illinois Regional Training and Innovation Center, and pursuing a post-secondary degree in a vocational field.
Tom & Dee O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing Student enrolled full-time or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited Nursing program in Sangamon County to pursue an Associate (ADN) or Baccalaureate (BSN) degree in Nursing and demonstrating financial need.
Tripp Bringe Scholarship Graduating seniors of a Menard County high school or who reside in Menard County but attend high school out of the county.
W.G. Bird Teachers' Scholarship Graduating senior of Auburn High School planning to pursue a degree in education and enroll full-time at an accredited college or university this fall.
Walter and Polly Roesch Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Scholarship Open to current and former members of the Boys and Girls Club (BGCCIL) attending college or vocational school as a full-time student and have graduated from a high school in the BGCCIL service area within the last 2 years. 
World War II Illinois Descendants Statewide Scholarship Must be a direct descendant of a WWII Illinois Veteran and have a 4.0 GPA on a non-weighted scale (or be the projected valedictorian or salutatorian.)
 
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