Rockford Public Library (RPL), the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), and Rock Valley College Foundation (RVCF) are excited to announce the tenth annual Community Scholarship Fair will take a new, VIRTUAL format on December 7th at www.scholarshipsni.com, Northern Illinois’ one-stop-shop information source for all things scholarships.

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at 6:30 p.m., students, parents, and interested community members can log on to view two live presentations, one covering the full landscape of financial aid (provided by representatives from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and Rock Valley College) and one covering full details of the CFNIL scholarship process and application. Participants may also visit individual scholarship webpages to hear from local scholarship providers and learn more about more than $600,000 in scholarships available to local students. Learn more at www.scholarshipsni.com/communityfair. Resources will be available on this webpage following the fair for those who are not able to attend “live”.

Free and open to the public, this opportunity will connect students and families with more than 20 organizations which offer dozens of local scholarship opportunities. The diversity and generosity of our community is reflected in the variety of scholarships and their wide range of qualifying criteria, including but not limited to financial need, academic excellence, community involvement, and extracurriculars. Scholarships are available for students of all ages, including adults returning to school and those with GEDs, and citizenship status.

Scholarshipsni.com is designed to provide a user-friendly place for students, parents, and school counselors to find local scholarships and financial aid resources, and a centralized place for local scholarship providers to promote their scholarship opportunities. Site visitors use broad categories and specific “tags” to determine which local scholarships match their unique experience and educational aspirations and will find detailed information about every scholarship for which they may be eligible. Visitors will also find information and links to resources to help them navigate the world of financial aid and answers to frequently asked questions about scholarships. 

As of today, 133 scholarships worth more than $600,000 are included on the site, with more scholarships and resources added regularly. Local providers who are interested in posting their scholarship opportunity may visit www.scholarshipsni.com/contact to learn more and submit their scholarship. 

“This free event, and the Scholarships NI website, are the most comprehensive review of the private sector scholarships and financial aid available to students in northern Illinois. It is a privilege to partner with other local institutions each year and provide a one-stop-shop opportunity for students and their families,” said CFNIL Vice President of Programs & Community Investment Sarah Lambert.

"While the costs of higher education rise, many local organizations rise to the occasion by offering generous scholarships. This fair is for persons of all ages seeking an affordable higher education – both teens looking beyond high school and nontraditional students seeking further education later in life” said Lynn Stainbrook, Executive Director at RPL.

"Rock Valley College is here to make higher education accessible to our region," said Dr. Howard Spearman. "By increasing access, we are increasing opportunities for success to a diverse community."

About the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has served northern Illinois since 1953 as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, grow and preserve a permanent endowment for the needs of the people of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties. www.cfnil.org/scholarships 

About Rockford Public Library 
The Rockford Public Library, founded in 1872 as the second library in Illinois, currently has four facilities, including a performing arts and training center (RPL’s Nordlof Center), the Hart Interim Library, two branch Libraries and a Mobile Library. Rockford Public Library informs, educates, entertains, and provides cultural enrichment to the people of our community.

About Rock Valley College Foundation 
Through the support of our generous donors, including our expanding Alumni Network, the RVC Foundation is able to provide scholarships to deserving students, fund grants for RVC faculty and staff to enhance programs and services, and support activities that complement the College's educational offerings. www.rockvalleycollege.edu/Foundation/scholarships