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The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. They award over $3.5 million annually in scholarships to young leaders. Visit www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org for more information. Current high school seniors should apply by 4:00 p.m. on September 30, 2025.

SIUC's General Scholarship Application is now open. Some scholarships have deadlines as early as November 1, 2025. Visit scholarships.siu.edu/ for more information.

Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors the Voice of Democracy, a national patriotic speech writing competition open to 9th-12th grade students. Visit www.vfw.org/VOD/ for the application and more information. Entries must be submitted by October 31, 2025 to a local VFW chapter.

Applications for the Elk's Most Valuable Student "MVS" Scholarship Award are available online at enf.elks.org/MVS. Deadline for submission is November 12, 2025. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks for this award. Contact the Brad Heuring at (618)942-5603 or brad.heuring@herrinschools.org for more information.

The purpose of the Golden Apple Scholars program is to recruit talented high school students who want to become teachers. Scholars agree to teach for five years in an Illinois school of need. Scholars receive $2500 each year for their freshman and sophomore years, and $5000 each year for their junior and senior years. With the addition of the four Summer Institute stipends of $2000 per summer, the total financial assistance package is $23,000. Click here for more details and to complete the application. Priority application deadline is December 1, 2025.

Thomas H. Moore IEC Memorial Scholarships are awarded based on grade point average, college entrance test scores, work and volunteer experience, participation in school and civic activities, and knowledge of electric cooperatives, as demonstrated by a short essay. For more details, please click here. Deadline for submission and completion of applications is December 31, 2025.

The Mediacom World Class Scholarship Program will award graduating high school students with $1,000 scholarships that they can use toward future college expenses. Click here to submit an online application by January 5, 2026.

John A. Logan College offers a tuition waiver (up to 16 credit hours per semester) to a graduating senior who will be part of The Student Ambassador Program. The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to serving and representing John A. Logan College. The mission of the Student Ambassador Program is to cultivate student leaders who will share the John A. Logan College experience with prospective students, their families, and community members and represent the College at special events. Please click here for the program requirements, details, and application. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.

John A. Logan College offers many scholarships through the JALC Foundation. The general application can be found here. The deadline is ongoing, but priority will be given to those who apply by February 1. If you have questions, please contact the JALC Foundation office at 618-985-2828 ext. 8472.

The Williamson County Republican Central Committee will award $1,000 scholarships to individuals who support the values of conservatism. Click here for more details and the application. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.

The Horatio Alger Association seeks to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students who have demonstrated integrity, determination in overcoming adversity, academic potential, personal aspirations, strength of character and financial need. For a list of available scholarships and the application, click here. Application deadline is February 15, 2026.

The CBAI Foundation for Community Banking has announced its annual scholarship essay-writing contest. Essays are due by February 20, 2026 at 3 p.m. You may turn in your essay and application to your local Legence Bank or scan and email it to jgrinnell@legencebank.com. For more information about the CBAI Foundation and this scholarship visit www.cbai.com. The application and essay requirements are available by clicking here.

Marion Memorial Health Foundation Board is pleased to provide the following scholarships: $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from the area high schools (including Carterville) and the R.D. Morgan, M.D. medical scholarship to a Marion High School senior who is pursuing a career as a medical doctor. If no MHS senior meets the qualifications, the scholarship will be open to area schools. Please click here for the requirements and the application. All applications should be returned by mail to the address provided on the application. Suggested mail by date is February 27, 2026.

Farm Credit Illinois will award $2,500 Agriculture Scholarships to high school seniors. Information and the application are available at www.farmcreditIL.com/scholarship. Application deadline is February 27, 2026.

The Carterville Schools Foundation 2026 Scholarship application is now available. The applicant must be a graduating senior at Carterville High School, and she or he must be admitted with the intent to enroll no later than the Fall 2026 academic school year at a community college, four-year university, or a trade school located within the southern Illinois region. Click here to apply no later than February 28, 2026.

For Kids' Sake International is awarding five $2500 scholarships to high school graduates in Southern Illinois. This scholarship is for students who have lost a parent and are pursuing a career in the trades, vocational or technical fields. Click here for more information and the application. Accepting applications until February 28, 2026.

The Southern Illinois Community Foundation offers several scholarships to students throughout the region. Some of these scholarships are specifically for Carterville graduates. Please click here to view a list of regional scholarships and complete the application. You may also visit the SICF website for further details. If you have questions, please contact Matt Nation by email at matt@sicf.org. The application will close on February 28, 2026.

The Morgan Jayne Hill Scholarship is an annual competition for Illinois high school seniors that is aimed at bringing awareness about Illinois' Safe Haven Law. For more details and the application, please click here. Applications must be submitted online by March 1, 2026.

The purpose of the Golden Apple Scholars program is to recruit talented high school students who want to become teachers. Scholars agree to teach for five years in an Illinois school of need. Scholars receive $2500 each year for their freshman and sophomore years, and $5000 each year for their junior and senior years. With the addition of the four Summer Institute stipends of $2000 per summer, the total financial assistance package is $23,000. Click here for more details and to complete the application. Application deadline is March 1, 2026.

The Kay and Walter Pape Scholarship from the Zion United Church of Christ is a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior or to an applicant who is presently attending college or trade school, or is enrolled in building construction classes, or has shown interest in the field of education through volunteer work in early childhood or in the field of education. Click here for the application and description/cover page. All materials must be submitted to the church by March 6, 2026.

The Carterville Champions Fund was founded in the year 2023 to award scholarships to graduating seniors of Carterville High School who best exemplify the characteristics of Citizen Scholar Athletes. Click here for more information and the application. Application deadline is 12:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026.

Peoples National Bank has provided financial services to Southern Illinois since 1909. In keeping with the tradition of community service and commitment to the education of future civic and business leaders, Peoples National Bank has established an educational scholarship to assist high school graduates in continuing their education at a university, college, trade or vocational school. Each recipient of the Peoples National Bank scholarship will receive a $500 scholarship. Detailed information and the application can be found here. Deadline to submit applications is March 6, 2026.

Illinois Elks Children's Care Program offers two scholarships; one for students who will major in Physical or Occupational Therapy and one for students entering a Physical or Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. Applications are available online at ilinoiselksccc.org. Completed applications must be submitted to the Herrin Elks Lodge by March 6, 2026.

The Illinois Chemical Education Foundation (ICEF) presents a number of scholarships each year to high school senior science students. The ICEF's objective is to recognize and honor high school seniors who have exemplified outstanding achievement in academics, extracurricular/employment activities, and community involvement. To view available scholarships and the application, please click here. Application materials must be postmarked no later than March 6, 2026 and received no later than March 11, 2026.

Sheriff Jeff Diederich will be awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500. Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents and scholarships must be utilized at institutions of higher learning within the State of Illinois. Applications are now available at your local Sheriff’s office or on the ISA Website. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question and return all documentation to the Sheriff’s office in their permanent county of residence by March 13, 2026. Directory of Sheriff’s offices are available on the website above.

The Kegan Johns Memorial Scholarship Program will offer multiple scholarships to graduating seniors. The one-time grant will be presented to the recipient with no restrictions or stipulations. Although academic standing along with school and community involvement will be considered when awarding this scholarship, anyone may apply. Applications must be received by March 15, 2026.

The Auxiliary of the Deaconess Illinois Medical Center is offering scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to pursue a degree in a health care related field. Click here for the application. All materials should be mailed to the address provided by March 16, 2026.

If you are interested in becoming a court reporter, a free program will be offered on the JALC campus starting in September. For those chosen, the program will be tuition free. Visit https://www.ilcrs.com/training for all information. The completed packet must be emailed to Training@ilcrs.com by March 20, 2026.

Recognizing that mental health is a vitally important community issue, St. Louis Area Mensa has established the St. Louis Area Mensa Healthy Minds Scholarship. This scholarship is for a student who plans to pursue a degree in a Mental Health field. For more details about this scholarship and the application process click here. The application and all materials are due March 21, 2026.

Legence Bank and American Farm Mortgage & Financial Services award scholarships every year to help students in our community pursue their educational dreams. We encourage all students to apply for the Legence Bank Academic and/or FFA Scholarships to help with their financial needs. Please click here to view the list of available scholarships, criteria, and applications. The deadline for applying is March 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

The Herrin Elks Lodge #1146 is offering a scholarship to a graduating high school student who will enroll in a college or university. The student must be a relative of a member of Herrin Elks Lodge #1146. Applications can be downloaded here or picked up in the Guidance Office. Completed applications and other materials must be returned in person to the Herrin Elks Lodge by 5:00 p.m. on March 28, 2026.

Carterville Area Rotary Club & Woman's Life Club 614 will offer a $1000 scholarship to a graduating Carterville High School student. Applications are due March 31, 2026. For more information and the application, click here.

SIU Credit Union offers scholarships to students enrolling into a two or four year college or university. All applications for the 2026 Scholarship Program must be submitted no later than March 31, 2026. To learn more or to obtain the scholarship application, click here.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347 will offer $500 scholarships to CHS graduates to be used for tuition/books. Applicants must be a direct descendent of a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, living or deceased. Application can be downloaded here. Completed applications must be mailed to the address provided on the application and postmarked by March 31, 2026.

The Sara Elizabeth Stubblefield Memorial Scholarship is available for a student living with epilepsy and seizures, who exhibits a strong commitment to his/her education and perseverance in eliminating the obstacles epilepsy and seizures may present. This is a $3,000 award per academic year, renewable for up to four years. Click here for more information and the application. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

The Village of Crainville will award the $1,500 James B. Childress Memorial Scholarship to a Carterville graduate. The recipient must be a college bound student that resides in Crainville. Click here for more details and the application. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2026.

Carterville Education Association offers a $1000 scholarship. Applications can be downloaded by clicking here. Once completed, applications should be printed and turned in to the Guidance Office no later than 2:00 p.m. on April 1, 2026.

The Crosswalk Community Action Agency is awarding scholarships to Franklin, Williamson, Jefferson and Jackson county recipients. Applicants must meet low income guidelines. To download additional information and the application click here. Application deadline is April 1, 2026.

The Mae West Scholarship, Jett West Scholarship, and Wyatt Allen Lindsey & Elizabeth Anne Lindsey Scholarship applications are now available. A native of Carterville, Anne West was a journalist turned professional freelance writer and was the author of both short and book-length fiction. Anne graduated from Carterville High School in 1931 and graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1935 and later did postgraduate work in journalism at the University of Missouri. Three scholarships will be awarded to one male graduate of CHS, one female graduate of CHS, and either a male or female graduate of CHS. Download an application here. Applications and all accompanying materials must be completed and returned to the guidance office by April 2, 2026.

Tri-C Memorial Scholarships to attend SIUC and JALC will be awarded for the 2026-27 school year. Applicants must be graduating seniors at CHS, enrolled at either Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or John A. Logan College and have a GPA of "B" or better. Download the application and more information here. Applications must be postmarked by April 3, 2026.

First Southern Bank is offering two $500 scholarship to graduating seniors from Carterville High School. Interested students should submit this form no later than April 8, 2026.

The Williamson Masonic Lodge 802 Scholarship will be awarded to two seniors, one boy and one girl, from Carterville High School. The scholarships will be awarded to students who will be attending any two-year or four-year college/university. Click here for the application. Completed applications must be submitted to the CHS guidance office by 12:00 p.m. on April 10, 2026.

The Williamson Masonic Lodge 802 Scholarship will be awarded to one Carterville senior who plans to pursue a trade career. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who will attend any two-year college, trade school or apprenticeship. Click here for the application. Completed applications must be submitted to the CHS guidance office by 12:00 p.m. on April 10, 2026.

Hill Scholarship applications are now available. Students must attend John A. Logan College for two years, earn a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and remain in good standing at the college. The award also provides monies for two additional years at a four-year college or university under the same requirements. The amount of the award is determined annually. In addition to other eligibility requirements, only those seniors planning to attend John A. Logan College should download an application. Click on the following links for a copy of the rules, criteria, and guidelines and the application. Completed applications are due in the guidance office by April 10, 2026.

ServPro will be providing supplemental scholarship money to several high school seniors around Southern Illinois! This opportunity is available to all seniors in Franklin, Perry, Jefferson, Jackson and Williamson counties! Click here for the application. Entries must be received no later than April 10, 2026.

The LaVern and Nola McEntire Lineworker’s Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship that will help pay for costs to attend the lineworker’s school conducted by the AIEC in conjunction with Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois. Children of cooperative members, relatives of cooperative employees or directors, individuals enrolled in the Lincoln Land lineworker’s school and individuals who have served or are serving in the armed forces or National Guards are all eligible for the lineworker’s scholarship. This scholarship will be based on an essay, a biographical statement, references and a recommendation that will be submitted. The deadline for this scholarship is April 30, 2026. Click here for more details and the link to the application.

The State of Illinois offers 40 Illinois State Tuition Waivers for every State University that offers the Army ROTC program. These tuition waivers are offered for the fall and spring semesters. If awarded, 100% tuition and the General Activity Fee will be waived for that semester. A student must apply every semester. Applications are distributed the first week of each semester, and waivers are awarded by mid-semester. If awarded, the recipient must meet the basic requirements to maintain the tuition waiver for that semester. For more information, as well as contact information for the SIUC Army ROTC, visit https://armyrotc.siu.edu/.

John A. Logan College offers many scholarships through the JALC Foundation. The general application can be found here. The deadline is ongoing, but we recommend completing the application as soon as possible to be considered for the most scholarships. If you have questions, please contact the JALC Foundation office at 618-985-2828 ext. 8472.

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