Scholarships at the Community Foundation
Since 1993, the DeKalb County Community Foundation has partnered with generous donors to support education and strengthen communities throughout DeKalb County, IL. Many of our donors choose to create Scholarship Funds as a meaningful way to help students with the rising cost of education. Today, the Foundation proudly offers more than 100 scholarships to students across the County.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
The Community Foundation makes it easy to apply for scholarships with a Universal Scholarship Application. This single application matches students to multiple scholarship opportunities—all in one place.
Application Period:
Opens February 1 and closes April 1 each year.
Steps to apply:
- Create an Account or Sign in to an Existing Account
- New applicants: Click “Create New Account” and follow the steps to register.
- Returning Applicants: Log in using your existing email and password. Be sure to update your profile with any new contact information. - Complete the Universal Application
Answer a series of common questions to help determine your eligibility for available scholarships. - Submit Any Supplemental Materials
Based on your responses, the application will prompt you to submit any additional information required for individual scholarships.
Tip: Start early! Give yourself plenty of time to gather transcripts, recommendation letters, or other required materials.
Need Assistance?
For questions about Community Foundation scholarships, please contact Grants & Scholarships Manager Austin Schroeder at scholarships@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383.
Need help getting started? Review the tutorial below for guidance on creating an account and completing your scholarship application.
Austin Schroeder
Frequently Asked Questions
- Personal identification information
- Details about extracurricular activities and community involvement
- Write a short essay
- A letter of recommendation from a 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 student's SAI number received after submitting the FAFSA
- Weighted and unweighted GPA
- Note: It is not required to submit personal financial information, though many scholarships reference financial need as a deciding factor for the selection committee
Specific scholarship opportunities will require further information, such as:
- High school transcripts
- Specific essay questions
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is an eligibility index number used by a college's or career school's financial aid office to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive if the student attended the school. This number results from the student's information in their FAFSA form.
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 to applying early. Ensure your application is current and unlikely to change before you submit it.
Other scholarship recipients are notified by phone or email. Please add DeKalb County Community Foundation administrator@grantinterface.com to your Safe Senders List so you receive important updates.
Past Scholarship Recipients
Be notified when scholarships open!
Stay informed with our monthly newsletter, featuring updates on scholarship openings, award announcements, and other exciting news from the Community Foundation. Sign up >
If supporting education is close to your heart, consider donating to an existing Scholarship Fund or establishing one of your own. To explore your charitable interests, contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.
