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Off-Campus Scholarships

Many Illinois State University students receive scholarships from sources outside the University. Start searching locally with your high school guidance counselor or community college financial aid office, as local scholarships often have smaller applicant pools which means those awards may be easier to get. Be sure to apply for some regional and national awards as well. By casting a wide net, you are more likely to be awarded some scholarship dollars.

Outside Scholarship Search Engines

Students can search for outside scholarships through a variety of free scholarship search databases. Illinois State University does not endorse any specific website and is not responsible for the content on the websites of these search engines. Below are just a few of the available national search engines. Please be aware that some search engines may try to charge a fee for usage or services so be alert to possible scams.

Type of Student

Find Scholarships based on the type of student you are.

  • All Students

Josephine De Karman Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

National Hispanic Caucus for State Legislators (NHCSL)

Deadline to apply: January

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

Deadline to apply: January

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

Jones T-Shirts Scholarship

Deadline to apply: January/September

American Atheists Scholarship

Deadline to apply: February

Create-a-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Deadline to apply: February

Daughters of the American Revolution

Deadline to apply: February

Family and Consumer Sciences Recruitment Retention Scholarship

Deadline to apply: February

Family and Consumer Sciences Scholarships

Deadline to apply: February

Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Essay Contest

Deadline to apply: February

Tall Clubs International Scholarships

Deadline to apply: February

Toshiba Exploravision Competition

Deadline to apply: February

Davis-Putter Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March

Illinois Sheriffs' Association

Deadline to apply: March

Ladies Auxilary VFW Scholarships and Awards

Deadline to apply: March

Life Happens- For students who have suffered the loss of a parent

Deadline to apply: March

Two Ten Footwear Foundation

Deadline to apply: March

Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Scholarships

Deadline to apply: March

Abilities Plus Endowment

Deadline to apply: March

Contact:

Julie Landwehr: julie@abilitiesplus.org

(309) 852-4626

1100 N. East Street Kewanee, IL

Don't Text and Drive Scholarship- Law Offices of Matthew J Quinlan

Deadline to apply: March and September

Mesothelioma.com Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March/December

Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April

American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April

Computer Sciences and Computer engineerings

Deadline to apply: April

Dale E. Fridell Memorial Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April

Diabetes Scholars Foundation Scholarships

Deadline to apply: April

Fred & Lena Meijer Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April

Liberal Arts and General Studies

Deadline to apply: April

MidAmerica National Bank Employees Children Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April

NPG Polulation Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April

Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation

Deadline to apply: April/September/October

B. Davis

Deadline to apply: May

Citrix RightSignature Stories Scholarship Contest

Deadline to apply: May

Cottage Inn Scholarship

Deadline to apply: May

Foundation for Community Association

Deadline to apply: May

ICIF Scholarship

Deadline to apply: May

Leon Bradley Scholarship Program

Deadline to apply: May

Abbott and Fenner Business Consultants

Deadline to apply: June

Allied Health Care Professional Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June

Big Sun Athletics Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June

Proofreading Services University Writing Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June

Truckload Carriers Association Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June

John Foy & Associates “Strong Arm” Leukemia Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June/December

Lincoln Forum Scholarship Essay Contest

Deadline to apply: July

Jobtest.org Career Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 1st

Wellness Warriors Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 1st

Healthy Eating Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Learner Algebra Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Learner Calculus Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Learner Geometry Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Learner SAT Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Math Lover Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Mind, Body, and Soul Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Sports Lover Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Your Health Journey Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 31st

Broke Scholar

Deadline to apply: August

IACRAO Leadership and Service Scholarship for Underrepresented

Deadline to apply: August

Job Applications Online Scholarship

Deadline to apply: August

The Responsify Empowering Others Scholarship

Deadline to apply: October

Mental Health Importance Scholarship

Deadline to apply: November 1st

PrimePutt Scholarhip for Women Golfers

Deadline to apply: December 1st

HeySunday Eco-Warriors Scholarship

Deadline to apply: December 1st

Burger King Scholars

Deadline to apply: December

Citrix ShareFile Scholarship for Future Entrepreneurs

Deadline to apply: December

Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Deadline to apply: December

Elks National Foundation

Deadline to apply: December

Influence Print Award for Design Excellence

Deadline to apply: December

Job Application Scholarship

Deadline to apply: December

LawnStarter Lawntrepreneur Scholarship

Deadline to apply: December and August

Look Twice, Save a Life Scholarship

Deadline to apply: December

National Eagle Scout Association Scholarships

Deadline to apply: December

Goldberg Weisman Cairo Annual Scholarship

Deadline to apply: December

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

G E-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Travel Photography Scholarship to Greenland

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Scholarship by Zona International Club

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Apply: Email ywpachairman@zonta.org

Career Link

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 827-4026

Women's Club of Bloomington-Normal

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 662-7971

Youth in College/Vocational Training

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire


  • STEM Majors

National Society of High School Scholars Foundation

Deadline to apply: April

TELACU Scholarship

Deadline to apply: February

NOGLSTP Scholarships

Deadline to apply:  June

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Deadline to apply: March

TEC Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June

Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship

Deadline to apply: December

Microsoft Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers

Deadline to apply: February

Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Deadline to apply: October

IAAP Education Foundation Scholarship

Deadline to apply: February

American Welding Society (AWS)

Deadline to apply: Varies

Caterpillar Scholars Award

Deadline to apply: Varies

Chapter 31 - Peoria Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

E. Wayne Kay Co-Op Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Varies

E. Wayne Kay High School Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

E. Wayne Kay Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Varies

Future Leaders of Manufacturing Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Varies

Giuliano Mazzetti Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

SME Corporate Scholars

Deadline to apply: Varies

SME Directors Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

SME Education Foundation Family Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

William E. Weisel Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

  • Graduate Students

Discover Business

Compiled listing of scholarships for business majors, including MBA students.

Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March

NOGLSTP Scholarships

Deadline to apply: June

Josephine de Karman Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation

Deadline to apply: January

Government Finance Officers Association

Deadline to apply: February

Byron Hanke Fellowship

Deadline to apply: May

Marshall Scholarships

Deadline to apply: October

American Psychological Association

Deadline to apply: January

National Science Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Deadline to apply: Varies by Local Zonta Club

Phi Beta Kappa Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

MyBioSource Inc. Scholarships

Deadline to apply: June

  • International Students

Financial assistance for international students can be found at Illinois State's Office of International Engagement.

Funding for United States Study

The Institute of International Education (IIE) has created an online tool that allows students to search an extensive database of scholarships, fellowships and grants

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

Scholarships for selected international women for graduate study in the United States

InternationalScholarships.com

An online, searchable database that students can use to find international financial aid

  • Student with Disabilities
  • Religious

Religious Scholarships Search

Deadline to apply: Varies

Jewish Vocational Service

Deadline to apply: February

United Methodist Loans and Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Varies

Hilda Padgett Christian Charitable/Educational Trust

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 665-5385

Freedom From Religion Foundation

Deadline to apply: June

  • Military and Veterans

U.S. News University Directory Military Benefits Information

Deadline to apply: Varies

The Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program

Renewable scholarships for veterans and spouses of disabled veterans.

Deadline to apply: late February

The Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program

Immediate, small grants are available to eligible veterans who are enrolled and experience unexpected financial difficulties that might cause them to drop out of school. 

Deadline to apply: No deadline

AMVETS Scholarships

Deadline to apply: April

Military Children Scholarships

Deadline to apply: February

Financial Aid for Veterans and Their Dependents

Deadline to apply: Varies

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation Scholars Program

Deadline to apply: Varies

Children of Marine and Navy Corpsmen Scholarship Foundation

Deadline to apply: March

Women's Overseas Service League

Deadline to apply: Mail to Inquire

Apply: Scholarship Committee, Women's Overseas Service League, P.O. Box 7124, Washington, D.C. 20044-7124

Health Professions Scholarship Program

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Apply: Email Army/Navy/Air Force to Inquire

MIA/POW Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Navy BDCP Department of the Navy

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

  • Your Illinois Hometown

Jewish Vocational Service

Deadline to apply: February

HSF/LVCC Ambassadors Scholarship

Deadline to apply: February/March

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Deadline to apply: February/March/July

Boone/Ogle/Stephenson/Winnebago County Scholarships

Deadline to apply: March

Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln

Deadline to apply: March

Community Foundation of Fox River Valley

Deadline to apply: March

Illinois Sheriff's Association

Deadline to apply: March

LaSalle County Farm Bureau Foundation

Deadline to apply: March

Apply: Call (815) 433-0371

McHenry County Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: March

Solid Waste Association of North America Land of Lincoln Chapter

Deadline to apply: April

Margaret Wakeley Scholarship for Women

Deadline to apply: May

Chicago Dept of Human Services CSBG

Deadline to apply: June

CHA/DAI Animal Science

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (217) 732-1529

Chicago General Assembly Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (773) 363-1996

Delta Kappa Gamma Beta Chapter

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (216) 222-2862

Delta Kappa Gamma Beta Zeta

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 685-2862

Galena Foundation

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Gateway to the Future Foundation

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (815) 875-4548 ext. 25

Greek Women's University Club

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (847) 358-1872

Harvey Jackson Memorial Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 286-2261

Joanne B. Wagner Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (630) 993-8900

Lake County Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Mid Central Community Action for McLean & Livingston County

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 829-0691 ext. 227 for McLean County; (815) 844-3201 for Livingston County

People For Elmhurst Parks Foundation

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (630) 993-8924

Peoria Mildred Dragoun Memorial Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 691-6839

Stephenson Soil & Water Conservation

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (815) 235-2161 ext.3

William M Reiss Scholarship (Belleville residents)

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (866) 461-7281

Women's Club of Bloomington-Normal

Deadline to apply: Call to inquire

Apply: Call (309) 662-7971

Barrington Area Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Chicago Community Trust

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Community Foundation of Grundy County

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

DuPage County CSBG

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Evanston Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Freeport Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

IIE Midwest Networkers Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

National Image, Inc. Central Illinois Chapter

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Rochelle Area Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Will County Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Gerald E. Gibbons Scholarship Fund

Deadline to apply: Mail to inquire

Apply: The Gerald E. Gibbons Scholarship Fund, 10135 S. Homan Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805

Decatur-Macon County

Deadline to apply: Opens in January

Centralia Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Varies

Community Foundation of Eastern Central Illinois

Deadline to apply: Varies

Community Foundation of Quincy Area

Deadline to apply: Varies

Dubuque Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Varies

Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Varies

Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Varies

Southern Illinois Community Foundation

Deadline to apply: Varies

  • Education Abroad

Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

Thomas R. Pickering Grad Fellowship

Deadline to apply: January

David L. Boren Undergrad

Deadline to apply: February

CEA Study Abroad Scholarships

Deadline to apply: April/May/November

Golden Key Scholarships

Deadline to apply: June

ItaliaRail Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Deadline to apply: October

British Council USA

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

PEO Intl Peace Scholarship Fund

Deadline to apply: Email to inquire

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Deadline to apply: Varies

CIEE Intl Study Program

Deadline to apply: Varies

IIE Study Abroad Funding

Deadline to apply: Varies

IIE Funding for U.S. Study

Deadline to apply: Varies

International Scholarships

Deadline to apply: Varies