Scholarships & Important Info for Seniors

2025-2026

(Newest Listed First)

Centralia Area Historical Museum Scholarship 2025-2026

Applicants must be:

  • Residents and attend Centralia High School

  • A senior graduating in the spring of 2026 from Centralia High School

  • Attending a college or university in the fall of 2026

Application is attached. 
Application is also available through the guidance department and at the Centralia Area Historical Museum, located at 240 South Locust Street in Centralia.  

Award:  $500 directly to the college or university in which the winner has enrolled

Completed applications, together with supporting documents can be turned into the guidance office or to The Centralia Area Historical Museum, 240 South Locust, Centralia, IL 62801. 

Due April 27, 2026
Click here for more details

Central City Lioness Lions Scholarship

The only criterion is planning to go to a college, university or trade school in the fall. 
The application can be picked up in the Guidance Office.
Award amount: $500
Due to the guidance Office March 24th

Marion County Farm Bureau Foundation

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

  • Be a high school graduate or graduating in 2026

  • Be a Marion CFB member, spouse, or child of a member ()

  • Be accepted for enrollment () at a post-secondary school ()

  • Exhibit potential for successful completion of course study

  • Be a resident of Illinois

  • Not be an immediate relative () of the members and spouses of the Foundation's Scholarship Review Committee

  • Past recipients may reapply, but no student may win more than two (2) scholarships from the Marion County Farm Bureau Foundation.  However, the Swan Memorial Scholarship is open to all applicants even if you have won 2 scholarships in the past from the Foundation.

  • The YL Scholarship is open to those focusing more on a vocational trade career path. 

  • The Richard and Ruth Ford scholarship is open to South Central Students pursuing a degree in the medical field(i.e. nursing, healthcare, etc.)

The criteria for awarding the scholarship are as follows:

  • Scholarship

  • Academic performance and honors

  • Rank in Class

Demonstrated interest in agriculture or related field

  • Special consideration given to students entering a field of study that is PRIMARILY production agriculture or agri-business
    Financial need Evidence of self-help. How is the student contributing financially to their education?Character and personality

  • Maturity

  • Industriousness and motivation

  • Intellectual interest

  • Moral character

  • Demonstrated leadership

Completed applications and supporting materials must be submitted online by midnight on March 15, 2026. 

 2026 Marion CFB Foundation Scholarship Application

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Scott Field Post

Locally, our chapter is committed to fostering the next generation of STEM leaders, and one of our core objectives is to encourage young people to pursue degrees in technical fields.

We are offering two types of scholarships for 2026:
1. Academic Excellence Scholarships (Multiple $2,000 Awards):

  • Recognizing students who excel in math, science, and technical courses.

  • Emphasis on academic achievement and active community involvement.

  • One-time $2,000 awards.

2. Needs-Based Scholarship (One $2,000 Award):

  • Supporting students with financial need who are pursuing STEM degrees.

  • Eligibility: Minimum 2.5 GPA and participation in the free or reduced-price school meal program.

  • One-time $2,000 award.

Application is attached or can be picked up in the guidance office. 

ALL APPLICATIONS SHALL BE RECEIVED BY April 17, 2026, to the guidance office or submitted VIA EMAIL: 
cmathews@bfwengineers
Click here for application

Illinois Petroleum Resource Board 2026 Post-Secondary Education Oil & Gas Scholarship Application

Must  be  a  U.S.  Citizen.    
Must  have  a  career  goal  in  the  natural  gas  and  oil  industry.    
No  age  restrictions  as  long  as applicant  has  a  high  school  diploma  or  GED,  or  a  HS  transcript  showing completion through  home  schooling.
Must  be  an  Illinois  resident.    
If  awarded,  must  maintain  an  equivalent of a GPA of  2.5 or higher.  

Application is attached or can be picked up in the Guidance Office.

You may turn in application and additional items to the Guidance Office by 3:00, May 8th or send it on your own to the address listed on the application by June 30th.

NAL Scholarship For Excellence

  • You must be a high school senior graduating in 2026 and enrolling in college in the Fall of 2026

  • The college you attend must be an accredited technical school, junior college or university

  • The degree you pursue must be in business, engineering or technology

  • You must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals outside of your family to support your character, work ethic and community involvement

  • You must submit a 500-word (minimum) essay titled “My Educational and Career Goals”

  • Applications and all accompanying documentation must be received by 11:59 pm CT on April 10, 2026 to be considered 

  • Submit online  

Scholarship Application - North American Lighting

Marion CFB Foundation Scholarships

The 2026 Marion County Farm Bureau (CFB) Foundation Scholarship application is available for students from Farm Bureau member families. We utilize an online application process for our local Foundation Scholarships, the Berniece Swan Memorial Scholarship, and the New Young Leader Scholarship (same application).  Students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply regardless of the field of study they are pursuing.  However, special consideration is given to students entering a field of study that is PRIMARILY production agriculture, agri-business, or other Ag-related fields.
 
A link to the online application and website is included below.
   
Submit application for our 2026 Marion CFB Foundation Scholarship program by midnight on March 15th!

2026 Marion CFB Foundation Scholarship Application

Marion County Farm Bureau - Marion County Farm Bureau

Clinton County Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Inc. is pleased to announce our scholarship program for local high schools. We will be awarding two (2) $1,000 scholarships to students graduating in the Class of 2026.
 
The following eligibility guidelines apply: 

  • Be a high school graduate or graduating senior in 2026.

  • The student’s primary residence must be served by Clinton County Electric Cooperative. 

  • Exhibit potential for successful completion of the chosen course of study.

  • Be a resident of Illinois. Not be an immediate relative (spouses, children, or parents) of employees or directors of Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

    Students must apply using the online application found at the link below:

Clone of 2026 Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Scholarship honoring Kevin Kampwerth

To complete the application, students will need to submit the following:

  • Completed online application

  • A high-quality digital headshot (photo)

  • High school transcript

Must be submitted online before March 15, 2026.

CBAI Foundation for Community Banking Scholarship

  • Eligible students are Illinois high school seniors graduating in the spring and entering an institution of higher education in the summer or fall immediately following

  • Must be United States citizens and Illinois residents

  • Immediate family members of community bankers and part‐time bank employees are NOT eligible to enter from ANY CBAI member bank

  • Award amount $500 - up to $1,000 per year for 4 years

  • Application can be picked up in the Guidance Office 

  • Application deadline is February 19, 2026 to the Guidance office or to 
    1NB Bank 891 Fairfax St. Carlyle, IL 62231

Peoples National Bank 2026 Scholarship
Award: $500
Instructions to apply
Due March 6th 

Central City School Glenn J Champ Memorial Scholarship

  • Currently enrolled at Centralia High School or Christ Our Rock

  • Be a graduate of Central City School

  • Must be a member of the 2026 graduating class

  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA through the Fall 2025 semester

  • Submit a copy of high school transcript for all coursework through the Fall 2025 semester

Successful applicants must submit a printed copy of Fall 2026 enrollment verification of at least 6 credit hours before the scholarship will be dispersed. Failure to submit Fall 2026 enrollment verification by July 31, 2026, will mean forfeiture of scholarship funds.

Applications may be picked up in the Guidance Office

Due to the Guidance Office by March 31, 2026 or postmarked on or before March 31, 2026 to:

Central City School
Glenn J Champ Memorial Scholarship
129 N. Douglas
Centralia, IL 62801

SIU Credit Union Scholarship

1,000 scholarship 

Applicant or the applicant's legal guardian must be a SIU Credit Union member in good standing and maintain that membership status throughout the duration of the award to apply for the scholarship. A member in good standing is defined as one with a minimum balance of $5 in his or her account and no loan delinquencies.

Membership is open to any of the following individuals:

• Anyone who lives or works in the following Illinois counties: Alexander, Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, or Williamson.

• Immediate family members of existing members (parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandchildren, or grandparents). 

• Anyone who works or belongs to one of our select employer groups (SEGs) or eligible associations. See our website for a full listing. 

Applicant must be a graduating high school senior enrolling into a two or four year college; community college student transferring into a four-year university; or adult student returning to college. 

Applicant must fully complete the Scholarship Application and return it to SIU Credit Union with all appropriate support material by the March 31, 2026 deadline for the application to be considered by the committee. SIU Credit Union employees, committee members, board members and their immediate family members are not eligible  

Applications are available in the Guidance Office or at https://siucu.org/about/scholarship/.

Due by March 31st to the Guidance Office or to the address listed on the application.

Herb and Garden Club Scholarship

A one time $500.00 scholarship is offered each year to any student entering a program leading to a degree/certification for a career or profession in Horticulture or Agra Business. Graduating seniors are encouraged to apply, and the non-traditional student will also be given consideration. It is not that the applicant be affiliated with Herbs for Health and Fun Club; however, this will be anadditional favorable factor. Students interested in continuing their education are encouraged to apply.

Pick up an application in the Guidance Office.

Application must be returned to the Guidance Office by April 1st.

Centralia Foundation Scholarships

19 various scholarships 


BPW Education Foundation Scholarship

  • Applicant must currently be enrolled at Centralia High School, Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, or a child/grandchild of a current Centralia BPW member.

  • Applicant must be a member of the 2026 graduating class.

  • Applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA through Fall 2025 semester.

  • Applicant MUST submit a copy of high school transcript for all coursework through the Fall 2025 semester.

  • Successful applicants must submit a printed copy of Fall 2026 enrollment verification of at least 12 credit hours before the scholarship will be dispersed. Failure to submit Fall 2026 enrollment verification by July 31, 2026 will mean forfeiture of scholarship.

Application available in the Guidance Office and on Google Classroom. 
Application may be submitted to the Guidance Office.
The deadline is February 26.

Timberline Billing Service

  • Student must have or have had an IEP in high school 

  • Applied to a two-year college, a four- year college or a trades program 

  • Award amount is $2,000

  • Deadline is Jan. 14th

  • See your counselor for an application

Golden Apple Scholars

  • Students attending partnering Illinois colleges pursuing a degree in teaching

  • Award is up to $23,000, academic support, mentoring and job placement assistance  

  • Deadline is Dec. 1st

  • Apply at https://www.goldenapple.org/scholars-illinois

  • Completion requirements include:

Meet ISAC program requirements 
Code of Conduct compliance 
2.5 GPA
Participation in Golden apple Scholar Institutes (institutes are listed in the link  above)

Bachelor's degree from an IL partner university
IL teaching certification

Teach for five years in an IL school of need within 7 years of graduation
An anticipated college graduation date no earlier than the summer of 2028