21st Century Scholar Student Application

The 21st Century Scholars Society scholarship was established in 2007 to invest in IVCC’s most promising second-year students who will graduate or transfer to an instituiton of higher education in May 2027.

The Society’s mission is to reward currently enrolled IVCC students who demonstrate academic excellence, college and community service, and are continuing their education at IVCC in fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters.

The Scholar may be awarded up to $4,000 for their sophomore year to assist with tuition, fees, books or educational expenses. In addition, finalists could possibly receive awards ranging from $500 up to $2,500.

Eligibility requirements

  1. Student must have completed 12 credit hours or more in fall 2025;
  2. Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more in spring 2026 and all credits must be completed by the end of the term;
  3. By the close of spring 2026, a total of 24 IVCC credit hours or more must be completed;
  4. By the close of spring 2026, a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above must be documented on an IVCC transcript.

NOTE: Students formally accepted in the LPN or RN program, full-time hours may vary.

NOTE: If chosen as a recipient, you are expected to enroll at full-time* in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 (*12 credit hours or more per emester).

NOTE: Students previously awarded the 21st Century Scholars Society scholarship are not eligible to apply.

Essay Preparation

Requirements - The following is to be discussed in your essay, in detail.

  1. Your educational goals and career aspirations.
  2. Individual(s) who may have influenced your decision in choosing your specific area of study and helped guide and inspire your academic goals and/or successes.
  3. Leadership abilities.
  4. Past or current involvement in campus organizations or activities.
  5. Involvement in community service external to IVCC.
  6. Financial concerns or special circumstances that may merit consideration.
  7. Personal obstacles you overcame, if applicable

Guidelines

  • Length: minimum of 1,000 words but no more than 4 pages
  • Typed
  • Double-spaced
  • Font type: Times New Roman
  • Font size: 12
  • All margins 1 inch (left, right, top, bottom)


Application available Monday, March 16, 2026 with the deadline Thursday, April 30, 2026 to submit the application and essay for the 2026-27 school year.

Contact Donna Swiskoski in the IVCC Foundation Office for more information at donna_swiskoski@ivcc.edu or (815) 224-0551.

We are proud of the accomplishments of our past 21st Century Scholars.

2025-26 year

Scholar

Hailey Larsen
Headshot of Hailey Larsen
Excellence Awardees

Kambri Fisher
Headshot of Kambri Fisher
Eleanor Radtke
Headshot of Eleanor Radtke
Danica Scoma
Headshot of Danica Scoma

Merit Awardees

Isabella Argubright
Headshot of Isabella Argubright
Bhawna Fnu
Headshot of Bhawna Fnu
Nathaniel Hansen
Headshot of Nathaniel Hansen
Allison Kubiak
Headshot of Allison Kubiak
Maya Zeman
Headshot of May Zeman

2024-25 year

Scholar

  • Shelby Einhaus

Excellence

  • Emma Garretson
  • Alexia Gross
  • Hannah Larsen

Merit

  • Travis Dougherty
  • Abigail Kunz
  • Garret Zinke

Special Recognition

  • Courtney Bailey
  • Lydia Dornik
  • Odin Klotz
  • Creed McCormick
  • Emma Walker

2023-24 year

Scholar

  • Andrew Knipper

Special Recognition

  • Logan Brandner
  • Caleb Savitch
  • Elizabeth Boyles

Merit

  • Elizabeth Browder
  • Madeline Klicker
  • Isabella Lambert
  • Eric Lockwood
  • Earl Pantig

2022-23 year Scholar

  • Gunnar Jauch

2021-22 year Scholar

  • Helena Ogle

2020-21 Scholar

  • Grace McCormick

2019-20 co-Scholars

  • Gena Fassino and Devanshi Patel

2018-19 Scholar

  • Lillian Rodrigues

2017-18 Scholar

  • Akari Oya

2016-17 Scholar

  • Gabriel Braboy