SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are funds meant to assist college-bound students in paying their college tuition and fees. This is by no means a complete list of scholarships that AO students can apply for. You can also do internet searches and apply for scholarships through your specific college or university. Scholarship applications can take some time, but they can be so worth it. Scholarships do NOT have to be paid back, and some are even renewable, meaning you can renew it for the same amount for the four years you're in college!
Here is a SCHOLARSHIP TO-DO WORKSHEET to help you stay organized and on-track!
Bridge to Betterment Scholarship: Argenta Bridge Church
Three students will receive $1,000/year for the duration of the college program (2-4 years). This is an AOHS-only scholarship. Printed copies are available in the AOHS office.
Applications must be received by the address on the application by April 15, 2023.
Beta Sigma Psi Scholarship- Christian Leadership Award
This $3,000 scholarship (runners- up may earn $1,000) is intended for Christian males planning to attend the University of Illinois in Fall 2023. It is sponsored by the Beta Sigma Psi Lutheran Fraternity, although you do not have to be Lutheran and are under no obligation to join this fraternity if selected for the scholarship. Questions can be directed to uiucscholarship@betasigmapsi.org. There are similar scholarships for other midwest universities: click here.
Apply at the link above by March 4, 2023
Illinois Society of Professional Engineers Scholarship
The Central Illinois Chapter of the ISPE, located in Decatur, is sponsoring a $1500 scholarship for a student planning to pursue a degree in engineering. An AOHS graduate has received this scholarship before! Applications can be downloaded and printed above, and must be mailed to the address listed on the application.
Applications must be submitted before April 7, 2023.
Castle Williams Post 105 in Decatur hosts an annual scholarship. Three letters of recommendation are required. See the application for who you should ask, and give those people plenty of notice. Click the link above to download and print the application. Copies are available in the main high school office. Questions can be directed to Roy Small at roysmall1947@gmail.com.
Put all application materials together in a folder and turn in or mail to:
Castle Williams Post 105
The American Legion
1535 Legion Drive
Decatur, IL 62521
Application must be received by the Legion by April 15, 2023.
Decatur Memorial Health Foundation Scholarships- Healthcare and Agriculture
Several awards are available. Click the link above to view the requirements and apply.
All application materials must be received by June 1.
Thomas Dixon Memorial Health Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by Kirby Medical Center Auxiliary and supports students entering health-related careers. As of 1/20/23, the application had not been posted yet, but click the link above (scroll down a little) to see if the 2023 application is available yet. We had a student win this one last year!
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln
This is the Springfield-area community foundation (scroll down for Macon County), but they do house a few scholarships that our students can apply for. Click the link above to browse.
We have had a student be awarded the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship in the past!
Deadline for all CFLL Scholarship Applications: March 1, 2023
Illinois Sheriff's Association Scholarship
Each county will award at least one $500 scholarship each school year to students who demonstrate outstanding scholastic, extracurricular, and character qualifications. Click the link above and scroll down a little to download the fillable application. Attach your transcript. Mail completed applications to Macon County Sheriff's Office at 333 S Franklin St. Decatur, IL 62523, or drop it off. It would be helpful to write ISA Scholarship Application on the envelope.
Deadline March 15, 2023
Staley Credit Union Scholarships
Staley CU members/customers are eligible. Minimum 2.5/4.0 GPA required (approx 3.5/5.0 at AOHS. Apply at the link above.
Deadline March 31, 2023, 5:00pm
Illinois Beef Association Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be from a family that is an IBA member actively involved in beef production. Apply at the link above.
Deadline February 15, 2023
Richland Community College Scholarships
The link above provides an overview of the process. You can apply for Richland scholarships after you've applied, received your ID#, activated your student account, and registered for classes. Apply for scholarships at www.richland.edu/scholarships.
Here is a complete list of scholarships at RCC. Common questions involve the Scherer Honors Scholarship. View the criteria at the link.
Questions can be directed to Tara Mata, tmata@richland.edu.
The Argenta-Oreana Education Association annually offers at least one $500 scholarship to one or more graduating seniors. This scholarship is voted on by all teachers in the district who are part of AOEA. Requirements include plans to attend a 2 or 4 year college in Fall 2023, and a minimum GPA of 4.0 (B). The application is linked above, or printed copies can be found in the office or with Mrs. Mendez. Please turn applications into the main office.
Deadline Friday, April 21 by the end of the school day
Melanie & Amy Camfield Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is open to seniors with any post-secondary plans: college, trade school, military, etc.
The Camfield Family has established a scholarship in memory of Melanie & Amy Camfield (a local mother & daughter) who were tragically killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Amy was an AOHS alumni. To honor some of the characteristics that Melanie & Amy demonstrated, and to emphasize hard work & respect, these are the criteria for the scholarship. To apply, write an essay explaining how hard work, respect, and responsibility have influenced you and the person you are becoming. Consider giving an example of someone in your life who has shown these qualities, and how you strive to show hard work, respect, and responsibility in your current and adult life. Having trouble coming up with what to say? Talk to a responsible adult and brainstorm. The goal of this essay is personal growth. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, 12-pt font, and a maximum of one page long. There is no formal application, but please include your name somewhere on your essay.
Essays are due by the end of the school day on Tuesday, April 25. You have two options to turn in this essay. 1) Print the essay and turn it into the office. There will be a folder to collect these scholarship essays due to Mrs. Mendez's absence. 2) If you don't have printing access, share the essay with Mrs. Madrigal or Mrs. Sparks to print, and follow up with them in the office to be sure they've received and printed it.
Required essay of 550 words or less describing your academic/career goals. Click the link above to go to the website.
Deadline January 15, 2023
Macon County Farm Bureau Scholarships
MCFB members and their children majoring in an agriculture-related field of study are eligible to apply to the MCFB Scholarships. Click the link above to go to their site and download the application above the graduation cap. You may fill out the application on a computer and email it to jennifer@maconcfb.org. Questions can also be directed to Jennifer Fink, jennifer@maconcfb.org or 217-877-2436. Applications must be received by March 1, 2023.
More scholarships for children of Farm Bureau members can be found at IAAFoundation.org. IAA Foundation scholarship applications are due by February 15. A full list of IAA Scholarships can be found here.
Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship
There are 7 $2,000 scholarships available. Requirements include attending a college in Illinois, a 500 word essay based on an interview with a township official (I have one whom you can contact, or ask your parents), extracurricular involvement, two letters of recommendation, an official high school transcript (get this from Mrs. Sparks in office), and a cover letter with your application. Click the link above to download and print the application, or pick up an application from the main office.
Deadline March 1, 2023
This scholarship is coordinated by Gerber State Bank in Argenta and funded by the trust of Leota P. Holmes, deceased. This scholarship is for Argenta-Oreana students only. Current AO seniors and AO graduates currently in college can apply! Click here for the instructions and application. Printed copies can be found in the main office. Required materials include a completed application form, essay, transcript, two letters of recommendation, a copy of your acceptance letter from the college, and your EFC from your FAFSA. Give the people who you're asking to write a letter two weeks notice.
Deadline March 31, 2023- Place all application materials in an envelope and drop it off at Gerber State Bank. Write Attn: Jennifer Albright on the envelope. You can even drop it off in the drive-thru.
Click the link above and then click Scholarship Application on their homepage. Not all scholarships require a relationship with a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Deadline April 1, 2023
Farm Credit Illinois Scholarship
30 $2,500 scholarships are available to high school seniors with agricultural career aspirations. Click the link above for the webpage. You will list your high school activities and achievements, and create a 30-45 second video on your passion for agriculture. You may list Mrs. Mendez as the high school contact if you're completing it early, but if it's February, please list Mr. German. Whomever you list, please make face-to-face contact with them to be sure the school form gets completed.
Deadline is February 28, 2023
Save Abandoned Babies Scholarship
To qualify for this scholarship, please submit a 30-60 second Tik Tok video that demonstrates a creative, factual, educational message about The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. To learn about the law, go to www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org. Click the link above for the actual application. Printed copies are available in Mrs. Mendez' office.
Deadline is March 1, 2023
CBAI Foundation for Community Banking Scholarship
This is a state essay competition and AOHS is locally sponsored by Gerber State Bank in Argenta. The essay topic is "How are fintechs impacting the banking industry?" Here is a link that I found re: fintechs. The essay has to be one page, double-spaced, 10-12 pt size font. There is an application to complete as well with general information, including your school and community involvement. Click the link for the application. If you download it as a pdf, it is a fillable form. You are encouraged to type into the application and then print it if your handwriting isn't great. Printed copies are available in the main office. Historically, we have not had many applicants to this scholarship, meaning there typically isn't much competition!
This scholarship application and essay can be given directly to Gerber State Bank in Argenta by Friday, February 17. GSB is located right downtown, and you can even drop the scholarship in the drive-thru. If you take it to GSB yourself, put it in an envelope and write Attn: Tricia Nuppenau on the envelope. If you turn it in early, Mrs. Mendez will drop it off for you. Applications will be judged by GSB and then sent to the state-level competition after that. If you submit an application, please be sure to watch for emails or phone calls from GSB.
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest; Deadline March 31, 2023- Must be submitted directly to a member of the local VFW. Contact Cindy Daugherty at ccrouchrn@yahoo.com if you have a question or need to submit artwork.
Continuing Education Scholarship (for VFW members or family members); Deadline February 15, 2023- Your submission can be emailed or mailed. If mailing, plan ahead so that it arrives by the deadline.
Please read the webpage/application completely before proceeding. Email Cindy Daugherty of the VFW with questions at ccrouchrn@yahoo.com.
Community Foundation of Macon County Scholarships
CFMC coordinates many scholarships for graduating Macon County seniors. You will complete these scholarships in their portal (linked above) starting January 1. Letters of recommendation and short essays are required. For the two letters of recommendation, you need one teacher, and one coach, pastor, high school counselor, or another community member. Give them plenty of time to complete a letter, and give them a deadline. You will also have to upload your 7th semester transcript. Mrs. Mendez sent you a copy of your 7th semester transcript in January. Save that email!
Here are several documents you will find useful while applying for these scholarships:
Scholarship list for AO students
Scholarship list- sorted by major
List of scholarship questions (so that you can work ahead and have your essays ready)
If you prefer a printed packet of this information, please see the main office.
Go to maconcountygives.org/scholarship to apply. Contact Kathy Carter from CFMC with questions at kcarter@maconcountygives.org or at 217-220-1363. She is available anytime and very willing to help!
The deadline for all CFMC scholarship applications and supporting materials is March 1, 2023.
Illinois Chemical Education Foundation
There are four scholarship programs coordinated by the ICEF for students seeking majors in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics), Chemistry, Chemistry Education, Chemical Engineering, and/or Environmental Engineering. Click the link above for all of the scholarship information. Printed copies are available in the main office. Scholarships must be mailed to the respective provided addresses.
STEM scholarship deadline: January 31, 2023
All other ICEF scholarship deadlines: March 3, 2023
This is a scholarship program for future teachers! They also provide you with extra career training opportunities and job placement assistance to help you land the job you want after college. Click the top link for the website. Click here for a Quick Flyer.
Priority application deadline: December 1, 2022 (past)
Final deadline: April 1, 2023
Paying for College Information from ISAC:
https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/
Financial Aid for Medical Professions
Financial Aid for Teachers & Golden Apple Scholars Program
Financial Aid for Veterans or Children of Veterans
Financial Aid for Dependents of Police Officers, Fire Fighters, or Correctional Officers
Check out these websites for bigger scholarship search engines!