Sangamon Sun

The Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship Fund is offering financial support to graduating high school seniors in Illinois. Since its inception in 1989, the fund has awarded $389,500 to 229 students. Applications for this year's scholarships are open until March 1, 2025.

To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of Illinois who plan to attend a college or university within the state as full-time students. The scholarship requires candidates to have a history of extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership or civic responsibility.

Applicants need to submit a 500-word essay on "The Role of Township Government in Today’s Society and in the Future," which should include insights from an interview with an elected township official. Additionally, two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, local officials, or business people are required. An official high school transcript and a cover letter with a completed application form must also be submitted.

Applications must be mailed or submitted online by the deadline; faxed or emailed submissions will not be accepted.