Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship funds are an easy way to support continuing education in our community. To date, over 65 scholarship funds have been created through the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The majority of these scholarships are administered through local high schools. Please contact a Guidance Counselor at your local high school for application information.
The scholarship opportunities below are the only scholarships administered through the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Application length and availability varies between each. Subscribe to the our e-newsletter "What Gives!" to know when scholarship applications are available.
Please be aware, all recipients of DeKalb County Community Foundation held scholarships must provide a completed Information and Photo Release Form. Once completed electronically, the form can be e-mailed to: becky@dekalbccf.org. For questions or additional information, please contact Grants & Community Initiatives Manager Becky Zantout at 815-748-5383 or becky@dekalbccf.org.
CHS Elburn Scholarship
The CHS Elburn Scholarship is available for high school graduates and current undergraduate students at an accredited college or university. Applicants must be a family member of an eligible CHS Elburn customer or a family member of a CHS Elburn employee. Applications for the CHS Elburn Scholarship will be available again in spring 2018.
2017 scholarship recipients - Gracie Danner, Jillian Diehl, Bradley Gorenz, Catherine Gorenz, Vanessa Gould, Heidi Harbecke, Olivia Harvell, Kayla Kaalberg, Ethan Plote, Savanna Pope, Ellen Schutt and Jessica Yaeger
Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship
High School graduates of a DeKalb County High School planning to pursue a career in the field of music are eligible to apply for the Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee composed of several individuals from various musical backgrounds and representing many communities throughout DeKalb County. Applications for the Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship will be available again in spring 2018. Past recipients.
2017 scholarship recipient - Destinee Feliciano
Renaissance Scholarship
The Renaissance Scholarship offers a $1,000 initial scholarship renewable for up to three years to an individual returning to school for his or her undergraduate degree after being a part of the work force. Applications for the Renaissance Scholarship will be available again in spring 2018.
2016 scholarship recipient - Anousone Bouttaphanh
Spinoso Masters Scholarship
The Spinoso Masters Scholarship provides a scholarship for up to $10,000 to a deserving student to cover tuition costs of post-undergraduate or masters studies. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a DeKalb County High School but do not need to currently live in DeKalb County. Applications for the Spinoso Masters Scholarship will be available again in spring 2018.
2017 scholarship recipients - Carlie Hayes, Rachael Pazsotta, Kelsey Rodgers, and Anna Stiker
Harold P. Wells Scholarship
Eligible applicants to the Harold P. Wells Scholarship are employees and family members of the employees of the DeKalb Fire Department and graduates of the Kishwaukee Education Consortium's Fire Science Program. The Wells Scholarship can be used to offset expenses for any educational purpose. Some examples include college tuition, any fire course, educational short courses, conferences and camps, such as music and space camp, etc. Applications for the Harold P. Wells Scholarship will be available again in spring 2018. Past recipients.
2017 scholarship recipients - Logan Freeman, Morgan Karolus
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarships
The Community Services Block Grant scholarships are not granted through the DeKalb County Community Foundation. CSBG Scholarship are made possible through DeKalb County Community Action.
CSBG Scholarships are designed to help low-income DeKalb County residents pay for post-secondary educational expenses. Apply or learn more about the CSBG Scholarship.