Financial aid programs & scholarships

Foundation scholarships

Thanks to our generous donors, Carl Sandburg College Foundation is able to award more than $100,000 each year in scholarship dollars to Sandburg students. Apply between October 1 and March 22 for the upcoming year; priority consideration deadline is Mar. 22. (The scholarship application will not be available between Mar. 10 and 19 because of a college electrical panel project. This will affect all technology including the Sandburg website and mySandburg.) We encourage all students to apply. 

To apply online:

1. Login using mySandburg.
2. Go to "Student Apps."
3. Click on the "Scholarship Application" button.

Check out the Foundation scholarships.

We're proud to offer a range of external scholarships, which cover a variety of fields of study and have different eligibility criteria, award amounts and application deadlines. Browse through the cards to find the scholarships that best match your interests and qualifications. 

Since these are external scholarships, Sandburg has limited information on them. Please direct any questions to the originating scholarship organization, usually found on their website or at the end of the application. 

External scholarship opportunities

Mellinger

• Open date: Feb. 1, 2023 | Deadline to apply: May 1, 2023
• Award amount: $1,000-$2,300
• Additional notes: Must reside in an eligible county, preference given to students with exceptional need
• Application link 

IDPH Nursing Scholarship

• Open date: Mar. 1, 2023 | Deadline to apply: Apr 30, 2023
• Award amount: Up to $5,000 | Nursing students only
• Application link  

WIRC-CAA Scholarships

• Open date: Check app for details | Deadline to apply: Check app. for details
• Award amount: Awards vary, refer to the application for details
• Application link

Max and Frances Sanford Memorial Scholarship

• Open date: Jan. 1, 2023 | Deadline to apply: Apr. 1, 2023
• Award amount: Amount varies
• Additional notes
• 2023 Scholarship Application

Louise Rintelmann Thompson "I Believe in You" Scholarship

• Open date: Open | Deadline to apply: March 15th, 2024
• Award amount: $3,000 
• Additional notes: This scholarship will be awarded to a student receiving an associate's degree at a community college who intends to pursue a bachelor's degree as a residential on-campus student at a four-year institution of higher learning. 
• 2023 Scholarship Application

Ask around 

We encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity to fund your education. In addition to the external scholarships listed on this page, there are many local scholarship opportunities available to you, including:

• Local credit unions
• Churches
• Community foundations
• Community organizations

Don't hesitate to reach out to these organizations and ask about their available scholarship opportunities. Every little bit helps; so take the time to explore all of your options and invest in your future!

Loans

Sandburg participates in the Federal Direct Loan program and will certify alternative loans as requested. The Federal Direct Loan Program is a low-interest loan made to the student by the federal government to help pay for education expenses. The interest rate is variable and will change each year on July 1. Loans must be repaid.

View Parent (PLUS) loan information. 

Work-study programs are part-time jobs (usually on campus) awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Work-study jobs are often related to a student’s field of study, but not always. The hours are adjusted around your academic schedule.