Following are select federal and state scholarships available to Illinois students.
Early Childhood Access for Consortium for Equity (ECACE)
The Early Childhood Access for Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program was created to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education, with an aim toward building a strong, well-prepared workforce.
If you work or have worked in early childhood education and you’re seeking additional credentials and/or a degree in the field, you may be eligible for the ECACE Scholarship Program. Students must attend a public or non-profit private 2- or 4-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institution as undergraduates. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field in Illinois after they complete their program of study.
For more information on this scholarship program, contact the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. If you would like to be connected to someone who can walk you through all the available opportunities, consider completing the Higher Education Navigator Interest Form. A Higher Education Navigator from your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency will reach out to you.
GEAR UP Scholarship
The GEAR UP Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible students who participated in an Illinois GEAR UP program during high school. The scholarship helps cover the cost of attending an approved Illinois college or university. This scholarship is available only to students who participated in an Illinois GEAR UP program during high school. To be considered eligible, students must have participated in their GEAR UP program for either their entire senior year of high school or at least 50% of the program’s duration. No separate application is required. Eligible students are identified based on their participation in an Illinois GEAR UP program. The scholarship may be used to help cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, required equipment, and other approved educational expenses during the regular academic year.
For more information, visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) GEAR UP Scholarship webpage.
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program recruits and prepares bright and talented high school graduates who represent a rich ethnic diversity for successful teaching careers in high-need schools throughout Illinois and provides scholarships to those pursuing teaching degrees.
You may nominate yourself or be nominated by a teacher, counselor, principal, or other unrelated adult. For Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois applications, contact the Golden Apple Foundation.
Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarships (ROTC)
Illinois participates in ROTC programs for Air Force, Army, and Navy. Scholarship opportunities may be available for these programs. Visit Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, and Navy ROTC for more information.
School Social Work Scholarship
The School Social Work Scholarship provides assistance to licensed social workers (or those pursuing a social work license) who, prior to enrolling in the academic program that this scholarship would support, earn their master’s degrees in social work and wish to obtain an Illinois Professional Educator License with an Endorsement in School Social Work. The program was designed to encourage students to work as social workers in Illinois schools. Each scholarship pays tuition and mandatory fee costs for an academic year (including summer). By accepting this scholarship, recipients agree to work as a social worker in an Illinois school. If this commitment is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan, and the entire amount, plus interest, must be repaid. For more information on this scholarship program, contact the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Teacher of Illinois Scholarship Program
The Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program (TISP) provides financial assistance to eligible students who are committed to teaching in underserved school districts in Illinois. The program helps future educators pursue their education while supporting the need for qualified teachers across the state. Scholarship funds may be used to cover up to the full cost of attendance at an eligible institution. Qualified recipients may receive funding for a maximum of four academic years, equivalent to eight semesters (fall and spring) of full-time enrollment. As part of the application process, applicants must agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Teaching Agreement/Promissory Note. By accepting the scholarship, recipients commit to fulfilling the program’s teaching requirements in Illinois.
If a recipient does not fulfill the required teaching commitment, the scholarship converts to a loan that must be repaid in full, with interest.
For additional details about eligibility, application requirements, and program conditions, visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program webpage.