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Frequently Asked Questions!

You'll find common questions and their answers below. Use the bold Category Titles to switch between different categories of questions. Can't find an answer to your question about this site, local scholarship or financial aid information, or college finance resources? Contact Us!

  • I'm a scholarship provider. How do I add my scholarship to your site?
    First, do you provide a private, local scholarship to students living in northern Illinois (Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago Counties)? If so, awesome! Continue reading. If not, you can still submit your scholarship but know we might not add it to this site. Vist This Link to submit your scholarship!
  • I earned a GED, not a high school diploma. Am I eligible for any of these scholarships?"
    Yes! A number of the scholarships on this site are available to students with GEDs. Visit the "Find a Scholarship" page and click on the "GED Earners" Category at the top of the page to view all the GED-eligible scholarships.
  • My GPA is not very high. Can I still get scholarships?
    This site hosts a has a variety of scholarships. Some are available based on academic achievement and financial need, but many are available based on what high school you attended, your future area of study, or extracurricular activities. We encourage you to dive into this list of scholarships to see what you are eligible for.
  • What is the amount of each scholarship award?
    The scholarship funds offer varying award amounts, depending on the size of the particular fund, the number of qualified applicants, the renewability of the scholarship, and the directions given by the donors and administrator of the funds. Regardless of the size of the award, scholarships are by nature highly competitive.
  • How are the scholarship recipients selected?
    Each scholarship provider uses a different method to review their applicants. Please refer to the instructions/details provided by each provider, either on this site or on the specific site of each provider, to find more information about their application review process.
  • What are the basic qualifying criteria for each scholarship?
    Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria defined by the donor when the fund is established.
  • I am not a first year college student (or, I am an adult who wishes to return to college later in life). Am I eligible for scholarships?"
    Yes! Many scholarships are designated for students in later years of their college degree, or for adults who are returning to school later in life. Visit the "Find a Scholarship" page and click on the "Adult" Category at the top of the page to view scholarships for which non-traditional/adult students are eligible.
  • Are there other sites where I can find scholarship opportunities?
    Yes! There are many national sites that connect students to various scholarship opportunities. Here are a few key sites: - College Board - Fastweb - NSPA: Resources for Scholarship Seekers - FinAid: Guide to Financial Aid
  • My child is graduating and I want to help them earn scholarships. Where do I start?
    You've come to the right place! Check out the "Find a Scholarship" page on this site to see what local scholarships are available. And then head over to the "Additional Resources" page to view information about completing the FAFSA, navigating a college financial aid package offer, and more!
  • I found a broken link or some wrong information.
    We work hard to make sure the information on this site is accurate and up to date. But there's a lot of info here, so sometimes we miss an update. Please visit the "Contact" page and send us a note to let us know the mistake you found!
  • How likely is it that I will receive a scholarship?
    Even though there are lots of local scholarships available, it is still a highly competitive process. We cannot guarantee that you will be awarded a scholarship, nor can we estimate the liklihood that you may receive one. We know one thing for sure -- if you don't apply, you DEFINITELY will not get a scholarship.

Have another question?

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