Elsie Jefko Carlson Scholarship

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Supporting single parents who instill the importance of education, charity, and respect in their children.

Photo of Elsie Jefko Carlson
Small in stature but huge in heart, perseverance, and faith, Elsie Jefko Carlson was determined to give her family stability and love even in the face of tragedy. At twenty-eight years young, Elsie was widowed with eight children. There are few that would have the strength to carry on, but at the heart of her strength was her faith. She raised her family in Rockford and instilled in her children the importance of an education, charity, and respecting all others. She kept her family together with her unfaltering faith and determination. Elsie raised her children alone with hard work, love, and grace. She took on small jobs and later became a business manager and truly showed what you can do by believing in yourself and living with the spirit of giving to others. She married again later in her life, and she lived each of those years with a true sense of joy. Elsie Jefko Carlson will always be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing her – her smile, the twinkle in her eyes, and a huge heart of gold. Paying it Forward, the family hopes that all recipients of this scholarship carry on in a manner that reflects Elsie’s zest for life and true love of family.

Eligibility

Every CFNIL scholarship has a unique intent, often reflecting the background of the donor or person in whose memory the fund was created. CFNIL uses an online "universal" application to ensure the most efficient process; as an applicant, you do not need to predetermine which scholarships you should apply for. Complete ONE application each cycle, and your answers to a series of yes/no and personal background questions automatically match you to every scholarship you are eligible for. Because our scholarships were created to support students of all ages, backgrounds, and aspirations, we encourage every scholarship seeker (high school graduating seniors and older) to apply!
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  • Closed

    This scholarship is part of the Winter application cycle.

    This scholarship is open from December 1st to February 1st.

    Learn How to Apply

  • Specifications

  • Written Prompt

    Each CFNIL scholarship is created with a specific purpose in mind. As you complete the application, the system automatically matches you with every scholarship for which you are eligible and will present you with a specific written prompt for each. You're encouraged to craft a unique response to each prompt to show the reviewers why you're the best candidate for that scholarship.