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Scholarships at the Community Foundation

Since 1993 the DeKalb County Community Foundation has partnered with philanthropists to benefit organizations and communities throughout DeKalb County. Many of our donors who care about education create Scholarship Funds to help individuals with rising education costs. The Foundation offers over 80 scholarships to students across DeKalb County.

View a complete list of scholarships available at the Community Foundation >

Becky Zantout

Applying for a Scholarship

Most scholarships offered through Funds at the Community Foundation are for students graduating from high schools in DeKalb County. High school students must apply for these using the Foundation's Universal Scholarship Application process. Applicants who are not high school students should not use the Universal Application. Scholarships that fall under the Universal Application process open on February 1, and have a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on April 1.

A small number of scholarship opportunities are not included in the Universal Application. Applicants must determine their eligibility and apply using an application specific to that award. Learn more about these opportunities on the additional scholarships webpage.

For questions on scholarships at the Community Foundation, please contact Scholarships Manager Becky Zantout at scholarships@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383.

How to Apply Using the Universal Scholarship Application

The Universal Scholarship Application allows high school students to complete a single application to qualify and apply for many scholarship opportunities. 

  • To begin, students must set up a Universal Application account.
  • Once the account is created, students start the application process.
  • Students are then asked a series of questions that determine their eligibility for specific awards. Based on their response to these common questions, the application will request supplemental information specific to individual awards.

Access the Universal Scholarship Application (Opens Feb. 1, 2023) >

Need Help Using the Universal Application?

Review the tutorials below for assistance creating an account and completing a scholarship application.

Video Tutorial - Registration
Video Tutorial - Applying
Written - Applicant Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the scholarship application deadline?
The scholarship deadline for the Universal Application is 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2022. Deadlines for post high school scholarships vary depending on the scholarship.
What information is needed for a scholarship application?
At minimum, scholarship applicants are required to provide:
  • Personal identification information
  • Details about extracurricular activities and community involvement
  • Write a short essay
  • A letter of recommendation from community member and/or teacher
  • Plans for post-secondary education at a college, university, or trade school
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to share:
  • SAT and ACT scores
  • Class Rank
  • Information detailing their financial need
  • The expected family contribution received after submitting the FAFSA
  • Note: It is not required to submit personal financial information, though many scholarship reference financial need as a deciding factor for the selection committee
Certain scholarship opportunities will require further information such as:
  • High school transcripts
  • Specific essay questions
What is an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number and how do I get one?
Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an index number that colleges use to determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive. Your EFC is calculated according to a formula established by law and the information you provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about FAFSA >.
How do I edit or view my application?

To view or edit your application log in to your application profile. You cannot edit your application after it is submitted. There is no advantage for submitting an application early. Make sure your application is up to date and unlikely to change before you submit.

How do you select scholarship recipients?
Each scholarship opportunity is selected by a committee and has specific selection criteria. Committee members vary depending on the scholarship criteria and donor request.
When and how will I know if I am selected to receive a scholarship?
High school scholarship recipients are notified at their high school senior award night. Other scholarships are notified by phone or email.
How much will I receive in scholarships?
Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible for to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.
What will my scholarship award cover?
Scholarships can be used for direct education expenses including tuition, books, and/or other school related fees.
When will I receive the scholarship money?
Typically scholarships are awarded in mid-July. If you receive an award, be sure to provide your scholarship acceptance form as soon as possible to receive your award promptly.
What happens if I move or change schools after I’ve been awarded a scholarship?
You must notify the Community Foundation if you transfer schools or decide to un-eroll or defer your education. If you transfer schools, the Community Foundation can transfer your award to your new institution. This applies only if the school and your plans of study still fit the original scholarship criteria. If you decide to defer your education, contact scholarships@dekalbccf.org as soon as possible. It is sometimes allowable to defer your award for one year.
If I receive a scholarship, should I send a thank you note? Where do I send it?
Yes, donors enjoy reading thank you notes and like to know something about the person who is receiving their scholarship. If you receive a scholarship, you will be required to complete a scholarship acceptance form which will ask you to share information about yourself with the donor; you will also be asked to share any words of gratitude to the donor(s). A copy of this information (along with some additional details about you – school, major, etc.) will be shared with the donor. If you’d still like to send a thank you letter to the donor (which is encouraged!), please mail it to the DeKalb County Community Foundation - 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. The Foundation will forward it to the donor(s).
What if I have additional questions?
For additional questions about scholarships at the Community Foundation, please don’t hesitate to call us 815-748-5383 or email scholarships@dekalbccf.org. For other questions, consider asking your high school guidance counselor.

If giving the gift of education is an area of interest to you, consider donating to an existing Scholarship Fund or create one of your own. To discuss your charitable interests, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Donate to a Scholarship Fund >