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Local students across the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities have just over a week left to apply for scholarships through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. The long-running scholarship program has helped thousands of students take the next step toward college, graduate school, or trade programs.
“This program truly changes lives,” said Cathy Schwieger, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Community Foundation. “We often hear that the scholarship meant more than financial support — it meant the community believed in them and supported their dreams.”
What students should know:
January 20 deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are due by January 20 at 4PM, with award decisions shared in May.
One application, many scholarships: Students complete a single application that matches them with more than 500 different scholarship funds, each created by local donors.
Wide range of students: Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students, and trade school students living in Kane County, Kendall County, and the City of Aurora.
Big local impact: In 2025 alone, a record $3.4 million was awarded to 569 students, with recipient ages ranging from 16 to 47.
According to the foundation, scholarship awards have grown by over 139% since 2021.
Students can find eligibility details and apply directly through the Community Foundation’s scholarship portal, with full instructions and fund profiles available online.
Learn more about scholarship recipients from past years.
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