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. The Society’s mission is to reward currently enrolled IVCC students who demonstrate academic excellence and college and community service, and will graduate or transfer to an institution of higher education in May 2025.

The Scholar may be awarded up to $3,000 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 $1,500.

Eligibility requirements
1. Student must have completed 12 credit hours or more in fall 2025; (withdrawals and/or non-passing grades void eligibility)
2. Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more in spring 2026; all credits must be completed by the end of the term; (withdrawals and/or non-passing grades void eligibility)
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 status (12 credit hours or more) in fall 2025 and spring 2026.
NOTE: Students previously awarded the 21st Century Scholars Society scholarship are not eligible to apply.

You will be required to upload an essay as a DOC or DOCX document (max. 16 MB) with the online application. Prepare your essay before you click the "Apply" button.

Essay Preparation
Requirements - Please discuss the following in detail.
1. Your educational goals and career aspirations
2. Individual(s) who have 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 & size: Times New Roman, 12
All margins 1 inch

Deadline to submit application and essay - to be determined for the 2025-26 year.

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

Apply to be the Scholar

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

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
Gunnar Jauch
2021-22 year
Scholar
Helena Ogle
Helena Ogle
2020-21 Scholar
Grace McCormick
Grace McCormick
2019-20 co-Scholars
Gena Fassino and Devanshi Patel
Gena FassinoDevanshi Patel
2018-19 Scholar
Lillian Rodrigues

Lillian Rodrigues 2018-19 Scholar 2017-18 Scholar
Akari Oya
Akari Oya
2016-17 Scholar
Gabriel Braboy
Gabriel Braboy 2016-17 Scholar