Scholarships

The Community Foundation for McHenry County offers scholarships to students seeking to advance their education. Each Scholarship Fund was created by members of the McHenry County community and designated for a certain cause, school, or region. Detailed scholarship information can be found within the application documents for each scholarship.

The 2020 scholarship application process is closed. Scholarship applications will open again in early 2021.  If you have questions on The Community Foundation’s scholarships, please contact connect@thecfmc.org.

The Allen Family Scholarship was established in memory of Robert and Georgia Allen to assist Rolling Meadows High School graduating seniors to continue in a higher education program of their choice. This scholarship is to assist a student in achieving a two or four year degree.

Eligibility: Students graduating from Rolling Meadows High School who hold a grade point average of 3.5 or higher (based on 4.0 scale) and demonstrate commitment to volunteer service in their community. Additional preference will be given to applicants whose parent has served, or is currently serving in the United States Military. One scholarship of $500

Female graduating seniors of Wauconda High School interested in studying social sciences and/or social issues, with a weighted GPA of 3.2 or higher and demonstrated interest in social sciences. Applicants will have taken at least 1.5 years of courses at Wauconda High School in the elective areas of: Current Events, Sociology, Psychology, World and/or U.S. History, and Theater.

One $1,000 scholarship

This scholarship is designed to support athletic students of Marian Central Catholic High School determined by FACTS SIS as in need of financial support. There will be no limit on the number of times a student can win the scholarship award during their tenure at MCCHS. Applicants must be enrolled at Marian Central Catholic High School, have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Athletes qualified by FACT SIS as in need of financial support, and award selection will consider the diversity of sports and will not be limited by gender. / Full Article

The Jennifer Samson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to assist a student in achieving a two or four year degree in any area of the Fine Arts. Applicant must be a McHenry County High School graduating student who exhibits a true passion for the Visual and Performing Arts. Preference will be given to an applicant who has participated in any volunteer service and who demonstrates concern for environmental issues. / Full Article

One $1,000 scholarship

The Veterans Memorial “Getting Started” Scholarship is awarded to a McHenry County high school graduate or graduating high school senior who is the child or grandchild of active duty personnel or honorably discharged veteran of the United States military, National Guard and military reservists. (A photocopy of the DD-214 or Certification of Post Membership must be provided).

Multiple scholarships ranging from $500 – $2,000.

The Foundation is pleased to announce our 2020 scholarship recipients.

Joe Carnes Scholarship
Abigail Enck of Crystal Lake, IL, attending Carroll University, Waukesha, WI.

Mariana Szczesny Scholarship
Casandra Rausch of Lake in the Hills, IL, attending Carnegie Melllon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Manas Trivedi of Richmond, IL, attending University of California, Berkeley, CA.

TC Industries Scholarship
Maitri Shah of Buffalo Grove, IL, attending University of Chicago, IL.
Morgan Heinisch of Sycamore, IL, attending Illinois State University, Normal, IL.

VAC Veterans Memorial Scholarship
Casandra Rausch of Lake in the Hills, IL, attending Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Megan Lowe of Lake in the Hills, IL, attending Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
Katelyn Rokusek of Crystal Lake, IL, attending Illinois State University, Normal, IL.

Patricia McNamara Scholarship
Sean McAlpine attending McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL.
Marta Dixon Kola attending College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL.
Cody Berger attending McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL.
Cole Foss attending McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL.
Quenan LeBlanc attending Harper College, Palentine, IL.

I am writing to express my gratitude for receiving the Mariana Szczesney Scholarship. I was astonished when I received your email just a few days ago and I am deeply appreciative of the Community Foundation's support.

I'm going to be going to UC Berkeley this fall, majoring in EECS. This scholarship really helps relieve some of the financial stressors I have. With the UC system not providing much aid to out of state students, I knew I would have to work and take out loans if I were to follow my dreams of attending. This scholarship helps ease my burden and I'll forever be grateful. After college, I am planning on pursuing a career in software engineering, working with autonomous vehicles.

Thank you again for choosing me as the receipt of the Mariana Szczesney scholarship. With everything going on today, this is a ray of bright light! -Manas Trivedi, Richmond, IL

Emily W. is currently a junior at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She is studying Movement Science with the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. Emily is a past recipient of the Erling K. Nor Education Fund Scholarship.

Since her freshman year, Emily has been part of U-M’s Dance Marathon club, which raises funds and awareness for a local pediatric rehab program. The club is the biggest student-run nonprofit in Michigan, and Emily loves being part of it.

Along with helping to host events like accessible tree climbing therapy and adaptive martial arts, Emily is on the leadership committee for the club’s largest fundraiser of the year, a 24-hour dance marathon. “It’s given me a lot of professional experience in connecting with sponsors and vendors,” Emily explains about her role as the Event Partnership Chair.

Emily also volunteers weekly assisting with pediatric care. She says, “The kids are so cool. They’re so cute.”

Emily is a graduate of Alden-Hebron High School. During her time there, she volunteered at the rehab department of Northwestern Medicine in McHenry, as well as volunteering with elementary and middle-school basketball camps in Hebron.

The Community Foundation for McHenry County is proud to support incredible students from our community, like Emily, through our scholarship program. Way to go, Emily!