Important reminder for Fox Valley residents who want to save on college, graduate, and trade school expenses:
Jan. 24 This Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 at 4 p.m. CST is the deadline to apply to the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (CFFRV) 2025-26 Scholarship Program.
The Community Foundation’s online application is open through 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. There are 500 awards totaling over $3 million to be given out over the next four years. Scholarships are available exclusively to Fox Valley high school seniors, college undergrads, trade school, and graduate students for the 2025-26 academic year. To apply, visit www.cffrv.org/scholarship-program/.
The Community Foundation Scholarship Program consists of hundreds of separate funds conceived and funded by local donors, including individuals, families, local businesses, clubs, and associations to support a fellow Fox Valley resident’s pursuit of continued education.
Scholarships are available to students who live in the greater Aurora area, Kendall County, and southern Kane County.
The inspiration for each scholarship is as varied as the donors who establish them. Many are named in memory of a family member or co-worker to create a lasting legacy. Some are unrestricted regarding the field of study, like education or nursing. Others encourage training in a specific occupation, such as construction or roofing.
Most are based on financial need. Others reward merit and academic achievement. Many are renewable for up to four years. One commonality is all applicants must plan to attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the U.S. on a full-time basis.
Best of all, It’s easy. Students only need to complete one application to be considered for one of the hundreds of available awards. Plus, the odds of earning support are very good.
Nearly 40% of last year’s applicants received a scholarship, and not all were straight out of high school. Almost 30% of last year’s scholarships were awarded to returning college students and students in trade school. For the full list, go to www.cffrv.org/2024-scholarship-program-award-recipients/.
“Thank you for this scholarship award,” said Faith Ewert, a resident of South Elgin, and last year’s recipient of an Albert M. Zari Scholarship, established in honor of the founder of A.M. Zari Construction Co., who helped build the runways at O’Hare Airport. Ewert, who is currently studying architectural engineering at the Milwaukee Institute of Engineering, added “With the help of this award, I plan to further my education in architectural engineering in order to pursue a creative career as a Disney Imagineer.”
“Thank you so much for your support as I continue my studies,” said Gilbran Ricardo Suarez Guzman, age 38, resident of Batavia, and last year’s recipient of the William “Skip” Rowe Scholarship. “Thank you for the resources you have provided so that I can pursue my dream to become a teacher. I look forward to working with young Spanish-speaking students in a bilingual classroom. As a Hispanic male myself, I hope to be an example for those students that they can dream big and achieve their goals. Your support in my academic journey is a big part of that dream and how it has been able to come to fruition in my life. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity that you have given me by granting me this scholarship.”
“The Community Foundation is always proud to support local students with their continued education,” said Beth Christoffel, Scholarship Program Manager, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. “Last year, 509 Fox Valley-area students received a record total of more than $3 million over four years thanks to the generosity of our local donors.”
The submission page at cffrv.com includes all general policies, materials needed to apply, primary eligibility requirements, types of scholarships available, and location-based opportunities.
Since its founding in 1948, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $27.3 million in scholarships to area residents. Each year, applications are reviewed by the scholarship committee, consisting of local residents who volunteer their time and skills to participate in the review process. Although a student may be eligible for several different scholarships, only one scholarship may be received by any one student in a given year to help as many individual students as possible.
The Community Foundation is always ready to help donors interested in starting their own scholarship fund. To learn how to start a fund, support an existing one or to donate to a general fund, contact Julie Christman, president and CEO, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, at (630) 896-7800 or jchristman@cffrv.org.
Follow the foundation on social media: Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
