Illinois scholarships: Top scholarships for IL students

The Marie Palello Scholarship will be awarded to students who are of 50 percent or more of Italian extraction demonstrating leadership, community service, and high academic achievement. For over sixty years, Marie Pallello served as the Executive Secretary of The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. This scholarship is given to perpetuate her legacy as one of the reasons the JCCIA has flourished. In order to be given priority consideration for the Marie Palello Scholarship, the applicant is required to be of 50 percent or more of Italian extraction and a resident of Illinois, have demonstrated leadership and community service experience, and have high academic achievement. Applicants must be enrolled or admitted into an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants are encouraged to send two letters of recommendation. This scholarship is non-renewable. Students may reapply annually for consideration in the annual selection process. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the JCCIA for more information.

The purpose of the AHMP Chicago Environmental Scholarship is to support students who are investing their future in the protection of the environment. Only students at northern Illinois institutions such as DePaul University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, North Central College, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago or Northwestern University are eligible to apply for the AHMP Chicago Environmental Scholarship. Applications from other institutions (SE WI or NW IN) may be considered as long as eligibility requirements are met. Applicants must be pursuing an environmental-related degree or certificate program, including but not limited to: Hazardous materials technologies; Environmental engineering; Civil engineering with an environmental emphasis; Physical/natural sciences with an environmental emphasis, i.e., chemistry, geology, biology, etc.; Energy conservation or management; The Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Program or Disaster Management Certificate Program at University of Illinois at Chicago. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Roxane Malo Leadership Scholarship Fund was established as a tribute to Malo's personal commitment to REALTOR leadership. Each year the fund will award one or more scholarships to selected individual(s) for the continuation and expansion of their leadership skills in a real estate related field. Any Illinois resident who has held a valid real estate license for a minimum of one year, working in Illinois, and is interested in furthering their real estate career through leadership training is eligible to apply for a scholarship. This scholarship cannot be used for reimbursement of previously attended courses. Individuals may only receive the Roxane Malo Leadership Scholarship once. A letter of recommendation from at least one real estate broker from the office with which the applicant is affiliated is required. Letters of recommendations from two officers (one which may be the local Association Executive Officer) from the local Association of which the applicant is a member must also be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation for more information.

The Past Presidents Scholarship is for Illinois residents who are members of the Illinois REALTORS to pursue their CRB (Certified Residential Broker), CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist), CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), GRI (Graduate, REALTOR Institute) (undergrad only) or RCE (REALTOR Association Certified Executive) designation. A letter of recommendation from at least one real estate broker from the office with which the applicant is affiliated is required. Letters of recommendations from two officers (one which may be the local Board Executive Officer) from the local Board of which the applicant is a member must also be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation for more information.

Fox Pest Control believes in investing in future leaders who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. That's why they created the Fox Pest Control Future Leaders Scholarship to support students who demonstrate leadership, commitment to their communities, and a passion for growth. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be current college students currently enrolled in a four-year or two-year program, taking a minimum of twelve credit hours; or students have been accepted to a four-year or two-year program for the Spring 2026 semester. All students must submit a Spring 2026 class schedule upon request. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Frank J. Vigilante Scholarship will be awarded to students of Italian extraction demonstrating financial need and high academic achievement. Competitive students must be of Italian extraction, demonstrate financial need, must have high academic achievement, and be a resident of the State of Illinois. In order to be given priority consideration, the applicant is required to be of Italian extraction. Applicants must be enrolled or admitted into an accredited institution of higher education and show a copy of their acceptance letter. Applicants must provide their current high school and/or college transcripts, whichever may apply. Applicants are encouraged to send two letters of recommendation. The scholarship is non-renewable. Students may reapply annually for consideration in the annual selection process. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact JCCIA for more information.

The Nick and Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship will be awarded to persons of Italian parentage for assistance in music or education for college students who are orphans or who were raised in foster homes. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education and have completed at least one year of college coursework. Preference for scholarship awards may be given to students studying music in college beyond the freshman level. However, scholarships can be awarded for other fields of study. Preference for scholarship awards may also be given to those individuals who have been orphaned and wish to pursue their personal and professional goals of attending college. The scholarship is merit-based for students, taking into consideration the combination of academic achievement and talent. Primary consideration is given to music majors, but other applicants are considered and encouraged to apply. Competitive students should have a strong academic background, musical talent (if applied towards music major), demonstrated leadership ability, commitment to serving their Italian-American community, and a resident of the State of Illinois. Applicants are encouraged to submit two letters of recommendation from their foster or adoptive parents, social workers, home advisors, guidance counselors, etc. The scholarship is non-renewable. Students may reapply annually for consideration in the annual selection process. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact JCCIA for more information.

The Joseph U. Bottalla Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students who are of 50 percent or more of Italian extraction, have studied Italian language for at least two years or are currently enrolled in an Italian language course, either in high school or college, and are admitted to or enrolled at an accredited institute of higher education. Applicants must be enrolled or admitted into an accredited institution of higher education and submit a copy of their acceptance letter or proof of enrollment. Applicants are encouraged to submit two letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact JCCIA for more information.

The University of Illinois Chicago Chancellor's Fellows Award is available to first-year applicants and is awarded based on strong academic performance and demonstrated financial need. This scholarship may be renewed for a total of eight consecutive, full-time fall or spring semesters. Recipients can find the specific value of their award on their financial aid notification letters, which will be distributed by mid-April. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.