Congratulations to the CFNIL Scholarship Class of 2024: 200+ Students Awarded over $540,000!

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce its 2024 scholarship recipients: 261+ awards worth over $540,000, supporting the post-secondary educational aspirations of students from 34 high schools.

CFNIL's scholarships were created by individuals and organizations that recognize the importance of education. Donors establish the criteria for each scholarship based on their interests and the community’s need. Many of CFNIL’s scholarships are memorials, which celebrate the life and passions of individuals. Thanks to the generosity of scholarship fund creators, since 2000 CFNIL has awarded over $5,000,000 to local students.

Most of this year's recipients are graduating high school seniors in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. Scholarships are awarded to many kinds of students: academic achievers; non-traditional; those with financial need; athletes; all races and ethnicities; pursuing careers in education, STEM, business, fire science, and healthcare; and many more. Some of the scholarships are renewable for up to four years.

Scholarship applications are reviewed and scored by community volunteers. A “blind” review process assures scholarships are awarded objectively to students who best fit the scholarship criteria. This year, over 150 volunteers participated in the selection process. 

"This year marks a significant milestone: the first time CFNIL scholarship recipients have been awarded over half a million dollars," said Dan Ross, CFNIL President. "Further, sixteen scholarships are awarding for the first time. There are countless donors to thank for this remarkable investment in our region's future leaders. We are proud to steward a rapidly growing, dependable source of support for scholarship seekers in Northern Illinois."

CFNIL will host Scholarship Award Night 2024 on June 20 to celebrate this year's scholars with recipients, their families, scholarship donors, and CFNIL volunteers. You are warmly invited to join in this festive occasion! Learn more at cfnil.org/scholarshipnight

View a full list of this year’s recipients in the table below (sorted by student last name). This information is current as of May 1, 2024.

FIRST NAME by CFNIL