SUPOPRTING STUDENTS IN THE FOX VALLEY AREA 200 college scholarships. Just one application. Over $1 million will be awarded. Open to high school, college, graduate, trade and non-traditional students from the Fox Valley area; Nearly 50% of last year’s applicants received scholarships
AURORA–The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (CFFRV) has announced a one-time extension of its Scholarship Program application deadline to Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 4p.m. CST. “We recognize what a busy time of the year this is for students, their parents and our schools so we decided to offer a one-time extension of the scholarship deadline in order to give students more time to complete an application,” said Beth Christoffel, Director of Scholarships, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. Completing just one application makes students eligible for one of as many as 200 different scholarship funds totaling more than $1 million for the 2023-24 academic year. Applicants must live in the Greater Aurora area, the TriCities and Kendall County in Illinois, and be graduating high school seniors, students in undergrad and graduate programs, students entering a trade program, or nontraditional students who are returning to school. To apply, visit cffrv.org to access the application, general policies, the list of materials needed to apply, primary eligibility requirements, types of scholarships available, and location-based opportunities. Students apply to the Community Foundation Scholarship Program as a whole, not for a particular scholarship, and are considered for any scholarship in which they are eligible. Many are based on financial need. Others reward merit and academic achievement. Some are niche scholarships for specific fields of study, including at trade schools. Others are renewable for up to four years. One commonality is applicants must plan to attend an accredited postsecondary institution within the U.S. on a full-time basis. Bonus: The odds of securing a scholarship through the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Program are strong. Nearly 50% of last year’s applicants earned scholarships through CFFRV, including graduates from 20 different Fox Valley high schools. See the full list of 2022-23 scholarship recipients here.
“For nearly 75 years, the Community Foundation has helped individual donors in the Fox Valley custom design funds that fulfill their charitable objectives, including hundreds of scholarships that support local residents interested in pursuing higher education,” added Christoffel. “As a result, since our founding in 1948, CFFRV has awarded more than $20 million in scholarships through funds given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley. Last year alone, more than 400 Fox Valley-area students received nearly $2 million in locally funded scholarships.” Scholarships administered by the Community Foundation are conceived and funded by generous donors, including individuals, families, local businesses, clubs and associations. Each establishes their own specific criteria. Although a student may be eligible for several different scholarships, only one scholarship may be received by any one student in any given year to help as many individual students as possible. Applications are reviewed by the CFFRV Scholarship Committee, consisting of local residents who volunteer their time and skills to participate in the review process. The Community Foundation is looking for more volunteers to join this group of committed Fox Valley residents who donate their time and talent each year to review scholarship applications. To learn more and complete an application, visit cffrv.org/volunteeer. Students who submit applications by the January 10 deadline will receive award decisions in early May 2023. “This scholarship will help me achieve my dream of becoming a doctor and I am forever thankful for your support.” – 2021-22 Community Foundation Scholarship Program recipient Just a few of the nearly 200 individuals, businesses, and organizations who make scholarships possible through the Community Foundation include: The William “Skip” Rowe Scholarship Fund provides support to an African American male going into the field of education. Rowe was a father, husband and mentor to young men in the community. The fund was created to honor his memory by the many friends and family who continue to benefit from Rowe’s endless generosity, passion and love. The Education Pathways Scholarship Fund for West Aurora High School provides financial assistance for students interested in pursuing a career in education. To be eligible the student must have been a participant in the Education Pathways program, be a current West Aurora High School student planning to attend Waubonsee Community College, or a past West Aurora student currently enrolled in the Education Program at Waubonsee Community College. The Education Pathways Scholarship Fund for East Aurora High School provides financial assistance for students interested in pursuing a career in education. To be eligible the student must have been a participant in the Education Pathways program, be Current East Aurora High School student planning to attend Waubonsee Community College, or a past East Aurora student currently enrolled in the Education Program at Waubonsee Community College. The Conservation Foundation Environmental Scholarship Fund, created in 2007 by Ron Yenerich, encourages respect for the world future generations will inherit, providing annual awards to local students pursuing careers in natural resource management (forestry, wildlife management, etc.) or other environmental studies. The Ashley Nicole Adrahtas Scholarship Fund was created by Lisa and Tony Adrahtas in memory of Ashley, their daughter. Ashley was born on May 27, 1996, and raised in Plainfield, where she attended Crystal Lawns Elementary School, Timber Ridge Middle School, and Plainfield Central High School. Ashley worked at the St. Charles Emergency Veterinary Clinic and had aspirations of returning to school. On November 27, 2021, Ashley was tragically killed in a car accident at age 25. Her parents established this fund in Ashley’s memory in 2022 to support individuals seeking careers in veterinary medicine.
About the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (CFFRV) is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley in Illinois. Founded in 1948, the CFFRV is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, public charity that allows individuals, businesses and other nonprofit organizations to establish permanent endowment and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation. Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The CFFRV serves the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities and Kendall County in Illinois. For more information, visit cffrv.org or follow the Foundation on Facebook.
