This year, 137 students received over $196,000 in scholarships from Funds at the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Scholarship awards averaged more than $1,400 per DeKalb County student.

2023 Scholarship Awards by High School

• DeKalb High School $59,687
• Genoa-Kingston High School $1,550
• Hiawatha High School $1,000
• Indian Creek High School $5,300
• Sandwich High School $4,500
• Somonauk High School $600
• Sycamore High School $65,385
• Other $4,000

High school graduates (class of 2023) received $141,022 of the total scholarship awards. $31,000 was awarded to graduates from DeKalb County high schools pursuing master’s level or higher degrees, and $24,495 was awarded to non-traditional students or multi-year scholarship recipients seeking undergraduate degrees.

Locally, Kishwaukee College students received $19,665 (16 awards), and Northern Illinois University students received $46,487 (28 awards).

Scholarships are made possible by individuals and organizations who recognize the importance of education. Donors establish Scholarship Funds for various reasons, such as memorializing a loved one, supporting students with specific characteristics, or celebrating personal success.

New scholarships established this year include the Cindy Graves Nursing Scholarship, DHS Alumni Scholarship, Steven ‘Mr. G’ Griglione Scholarship, Wehrli Custom Fabrication Scholarship, and the YEP Changemakers Scholarship.

Most of these scholarship awards are administered and selected in the local high schools. Students can contact their high school counseling department in the spring to learn how to apply and visit dekalbccf.org/scholarships for details.

For questions or additional scholarship information, please contact Jolene Willis at 815-748-5383 or j.willis@dekalbccf.org.