All Opportunities

It’s almost time! Scholarship applications for the 2026 – 2027 academic year open February 14, 2026

Starting February 14, 2026, you will be able to login to the Scholarship Portal and create your scholarship account. All you need is your RVC student email and password to set things up. If you had an account during 2025 – 2026, don’t worry, it’s still there!

Dates and Deadlines:

  • Applications accepted February 14, 2026 – April 1, 2026
  • Preliminary award notices will be emailed between May 1 and May 20, 2026.

How to secure an RVC Foundation Scholarship

  1. Put all deadlines in your calendar so you don’t miss any important dates.
  2. Complete the FAFSA Form and the financial aid process even if you know you don’t qualify for a Pell Grant. This could open up additional opportunities for a scholarship from us. International students, students under 18 and students who are not eligible to file are an exception as we recognize you are unable to receive federal funding. Everyone else is strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA.
  3. Watch for emails from RVC-Foundation@rockvalleycollege.edu in your student email. This is our secure method of communicating with you.
  4. Activate your voice mail on your phone. Make sure your mail box isn’t full. We will leave you a message if we have any questions or critical information regarding your application. We may additionally send a text reminder of deadlines.
  5. Work on writing strong Personal, Educational and Financial statements. Follow the instructions and examples shown in Section 3 under “How to Apply for RVC Foundation Scholarships” on the Scholarships page of the RVC website. Please be willing to share your story. Your personal statements are what brings your application to life for our application reviewers.
  6. When you receive your Preliminary Offer, accept the offer from the link in the email and complete your supplemental tasks as soon as possible. In general, your supplemental tasks are: 1) write and upload a thank you letter to your donor; 2) register for fall classes; 3) complete the financial aid process. If a document is to be uploaded, please ensure that you have the right one. You will not receive your Final Offer and release of funds until everything is done.
  7. Before writing your thank you letter, study Section 4 under “How to Apply for RVC Foundation Scholarships” on the Scholarships page of the RVC website.
  8. Remember, RVC Foundation Scholarships are paid directly to the college and cover tuition, books, fees and mandatory supplies. Any funds not spent will be returned to the Foundation to be awarded again next year.

Anytime you have any questions regarding the scholarship award system, please reach out to the RVC Foundation at (815) 2021-4500 or RVC-Foundation@rockvalleycollege.edu. We are here to help!

Opportunities Table
Award Name Actions
varies Rudy M. Chapko Leadership Scholarship
RVC Activities – Awarded to a continuing, full-time student with a...
varies RVC Faculty Association Scholarship
New Student – Awarded to an applicant that is a new high school graduate...
varies RVC Foundation Annual Fund Scholarship
Continuing Student – Awarded to an applicant with financial need who has...
varies RVC Foundation Annual Fund STEM Scholarship
STEM Technologies – Awarded to an applicant in one of the STEM programs...
varies RVC Fraternal Order of Police Annual Scholarship
Criminal Justice – Awarded to a student who is a Criminal Justice major....
varies RVC Professional Staff Association Scholarship
Continuing Student – Awarded to an applicant who has completed at least...
varies RVC Strong Annual Advanced Technology Scholarship
Advanced Technologies – Recipient must be pursuing one of the...
varies RVC Strong Annual Health Careers Scholarship
Health Science – Recipient must be pursuing an Associate of Applied...
varies RVC Support Staff Association Scholarship
College District Resident – Awarded to an applicant that is a continuing...
varies Sjostrom & Sons Annual Scholarship
Pending -
varies Stanley Meyers Memorial Annual Scholarship for Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aviation Maintenance – Awarded to a student enrolled in a minimum of 6...
varies Stanley Meyers Memorial Scholarship in Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aviation Maintenance – Awarded to a student enrolled in a minimum of 6...
varies Starlight Theatre Scholarship
Theatre – Awarded to an applicant who is enrolled in a fall theatre...
varies Stenstrom Foundation Boys and Girls Club Scholarship
Associate Degree – Awarded to an applicant who is planning on earning an...
varies Stenstrom Foundation Scholarship for Engineering
Engineering – Awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a degree in...
varies Stenstrom Foundation Scholarship for Engineering from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Rubin Education Fund
Engineering – Awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a degree in...
varies Sue Olive Memorial Scholarship
New Student – Awarded to an applicant that is a first time college...
varies Sweet Judy Hatfield Memorial Scholarship for Nursing
Nursing – Awarded to a single parent, non-traditional applicant (24...
varies Terrie E. Hall Memorial Scholarship in Fire Science
Fire Science – Awarded to an applicant who is intending on receiving an...
Fall 2026 Terrie E. Hall Memorial Scholarship in Fire Science
Fire Science – Awarded to an applicant who is intending on receiving an...
varies The Dean Durst - Rock Valley Community Chorale Vocal Arts Scholarship
Music, Vocal – Awarded to a new or continuing student concurrently...
varies The Morse Group Scholarship for Engineering
Engineering – Awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a degree in...
varies The Morse Group Scholarship for Engineering from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Rubin Education Fund
Engineering – Awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a degree in...
varies The Wise Counsel Annual Scholarship
Business – Awarded to an applicant pursuing a degree in Business....
varies Thomas A. Bullen #1 Scholarship
Engineering – Awarded to an applicant who shows a significant...
varies Thomas Schwindaman Memorial Scholarship
Technical Engineering – Awarded to an applicant with demonstrated...
varies Upstate Illinois Public Relations Scholarship
Journalism, Public Relations, or Communications – Awarded to an...
varies UW Health Northern Illinois Annual Scholarship
Nursing and Allied Health – Awarded to an applicant pursuing a career in...
varies Victoria Purnell Memorial Scholarship
Part-time Student – Awarded to new or returning student enrolled in 9...
varies William Dolak Memorial Scholarship
Biology – Awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a degree in Biology....
varies William Wetzbarger Annual Scholarship
Engineering and Technology – Awarded to one (1) applicant who is...
varies Willie Ellis Annual Scholarship
Preference is given to a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. Second...
varies Woodward Annual Advanced Technology Scholarship for Mechatronics
Mechatronics – Awarded to a student accepted into the Mechatronics...
varies Woodward Scholarship for Engineering
Engineering – Awarded to a student who has been accepted into the...
varies Woodward Scholarship for Engineering from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Rubin Education Fund
Engineering – Awarded to a student who is enrolled in the NIU@RVC...