Foundation scholarships

Full- and part-time attendance

Certain scholarships are based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours per semester). Scholarships requiring full-time attendance are noted as such within the scholarship's criteria. There is no minimum amount of credit hours unless the scholarship specifies. Students planning to attend Sandburg as a dual-credit student do not qualify for Foundation scholarships. 

GPA (grade point average)

A minimum GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 is required unless a scholarship criterion specifies higher. 

The scholarship application opens on October 1. Students are encouraged to submit applications by the priority consideration deadline date of March 15. Students can continue to apply through June 15 for secondary awarding. 

Do I need to accept or deny my scholarship award?

Yes. Scholarship awards are sent through your Sandburg email. You must login to the scholarship portal, and accept or deny your scholarship award by the deadline shown on your award notice. If you do not accept by that date, your scholarship could be re-awarded. 

Donor thank-you letters

Scholarship recipients are required to write a thank you letter to receive Foundation scholarship funds. Scholarships that require thank-you letters are annual scholarships, endowed scholarships, Ann Asplund Discover Scholarships and Mortuary Science annual scholarships. Donor thank-you letters must be submitted through the Carl Sandburg College Scholarship Portal in your mySandburg account. The thank-you letter(s) must be submitted by the date set by the Foundation Committee. Failure to submit your letter by the assigned date will automatically withdraw your awards. 

Foundation scholarship reception

The Foundation scholarship reception is held annually in the fall for all Foundation scholarship recipients. Attendance is required for this event. Student recipients will be honored and share appreciation with the donors that made their scholarships possible.

Carl Sandburg College offers a wide variety of scholarships to qualified students. The following suggestions will make sure you are considered for all of the awards for which you qualify: 

• Complete a Carl Sandburg College application for admission. You must have a current application on file to attend Sandburg and be considered for a scholarship.
  
  
• Complete the Carl Sandburg College Scholarship Application and all other applicable applications.
  
  
• Fill out the scholarship application completely. Missing information may disqualify you for awards.
  
  
• Be sure to include all information that demonstrates how you match the criteria for all scholarship(s) of interest.
  
  
• Take your time to fill out the essay about why you deserve a scholarship. A review committee reads each application and essay.
  
  
• Please include up to three references.
  
  
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is necessary for the scholarship awards that require documented financial need
  • FAFSA: File online.
  • Alternative Application: Apply at studentportal.isac.org/en/alternativeapp.
  • For assistance filling out either application, please call the Sandburg Financial Aid department at 309.341.5283.
    
    
• International students must complete two semesters of full-time enrollment and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 to apply for scholarships. 

Several scholarships are based on financial needs. The scholarship review committee will take into consideration a student's financial needs as documented on the FAFSA. Any scholarships that are based on financial need will have a listed criterion of demonstrated financial need. 

To apply for Carl Sandburg College Foundation scholarships: 

1. Login using mySandburg.
2. Visit the "Support for Students" information box.
3. Click on the "Scholarship Application" link.

Donor thank-you letters

Scholarship recipients are required to write a thank-you letter to receive Foundation scholarship funds. Scholarships that require thank-you letters are annual scholarships, endowed scholarships, Ann Asplund Discover Scholarships and Mortuary Science annual scholarships. Donor thank-you letters must be submitted through the Carl Sandburg College Scholarship Portal in your mySandburg account. The thank-you letter(s) must be submitted by the date set by the Foundation Committee. Failure to submit your letter by the assigned date will automatically withdraw your awards.

Scholarship recipients must:

• Take the time to write more than just a few sentences.
• Submit a separate thank you for each scholarship received.
• Thank the donor(s) for the specific scholarship(s) you received.
• Explain how the scholarship(s) will help you pursue your educational goals.
• Share your long-term goal of achieving your college degree.
• Sign your name (do not include your address).

Options to submit your letters

The preferred method to submit your thank-you letter:

• Log into your mySandburg account.
• Visit the "Support for Students" information box.
• Click "Scholarship Application."
• Log into the Scholarship Portal.
• See awards under the "My Awards" tab.
• Submit a thank you to each scholarship received.

If you must mail your thank-you letter, please direct them to:

Scholarship Coordinator
Carl Sandburg College
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401                                                                                                             

Are all scholarships based on academic excellence?

Some scholarships are based on academic excellence. Others are based on other factors such as financial need, residency, leadership, the program of study or other requirements.

How many scholarships are available each year?

Endowed scholarships are awarded every year. Other scholarships are available as long as the donor contributes funds.

What is the max amount of funds that I can receive from the Foundation?

A student can receive up to $3,000 in scholarship funds from the Foundation.

When can students apply for Carl Sandburg College Foundation scholarships?

The scholarship applications open on October 1 and close on June 15. There is a priority deadline of March 15. Preference will be given to students who apply by March 15.

When are scholarship awards made?

Recipient selection is completed by mid-April for priority applicants. All other applicants will be reviewed and notified after June 15. Students will be notified by their Sandburg email if they are selected to receive a scholarship. Students must log in and accept their scholarship awards. If a student does not accept their awards by the date assigned, the Foundation reserves the right to award their scholarship to the next qualified candidate.

Who selects the scholarship recipients?

A scholarship review committee comprised of Carl Sandburg College Foundation Board of Directors, staff, faculty and volunteers screens the applications. The committee reviews the scholarships once the application closes. 

Do I need to accept or deny my scholarship award?

Yes. Scholarship awards are sent through your Sandburg email. You must log in to the scholarship portal and accept or deny your scholarship award by the deadline shown on your award notice. If you do not accept by that date, your scholarship could be re-awarded. 

How is financial need determined?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form is required for scholarship awards that are based on documented financial need. You can file online at fafsa.gov/. Please call the financial aid office for assistance at 309.341.5283. 

If I am awarded a scholarship, how long will I receive funding?

Scholarship awards begin in the fall semester immediately following your notification and acceptance of the award(s) and will also be available in the spring semester. Once the academic year concludes, your scholarship funding will cease. You must reapply for scholarships each year. The scholarship application will open on October 1 of each year.  

Examples of Foundation scholarships include the following: 

• Ann Asplund Discover Scholarship
• Dual-Credit Success Scholarship
• Mortuary Science Scholarships
• Presidential Scholarships

Additional information on each can be found below

To apply for the scholarships listed above, or to view a full list of Sandburg Foundation scholarships, please visit: Browse or apply for scholarships.

 

Ann Asplund Discover Scholarship

The Ann Asplund Discover Scholarship was established to assist non-traditional students. Mrs. Asplund's legacy lives on through the support of students seeking opportunities to further their education and training. 

Discover scholarships are housed under the Discover Scholarship Application. You can apply for the Ann Asplund Discover Scholarship through your mySandburg account. See the "How to Apply" section for details on how to apply online. 

 

Dual-Credit Success Scholarship

The Dual-Credit Success Scholarship is offered to students who participated in dual credit during high school. To be eligible for the scholarship, students are required to complete at least six dual-credit hours, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®), have a grade point average at Sandburg of 2.0 or higher, and complete the DC Success Scholarship application. The college selects and awards these students to promote enrollment following high school. Awards are $1,500 for the first year of full-time enrollment following high school graduation. 

Dual-credit scholarships are housed under Dual-Credit Success Scholarship Application. You can apply for the Dual-Credit Success Scholarship through your mySandburg account. See the "How to Apply" section for details on how to apply online. 

 

Galesburg Promise/Sampson Promise Scholarship

Galesburg Promise scholarships are available for individuals who graduate from the following qualifying high schools: Galesburg District 205, Galesburg Christian School or home-schooled in District 205 boundaries.

The Sampson Promise scholarships are available for individuals who graduate from the following qualifying schools: United High School, Monmouth-Roseville High School or home-schooled in the the United or Monmouth-Roseville boundaries. 

For further information about the Galesburg Promise, the Sampson Promise or additional scholarship opportunities, visit the Carl Sandburg College financial aid page.  

 

Mortuary Science Scholarships

The Mortuary Science Scholarships are academic-year scholarships available annually to current students enrolled in mortuary science based on fund availability. You do not need to apply for each scholarship individually. All of our Mortuary Science Scholarships are housed under the Mortuary Science Scholarship Application. 

You can apply for the Mortuary Science Scholarships through your mySandburg account. See the "How to Apply" section for details on how to apply online. 

 

Presidential Scholarships

The full Presidential Scholarship is available for students with an ACT of 27 and above with a 3.75 grade point average (GPA). The half Presidential Scholarship is available for students with an ACT of 25 and above with a 3.5 grade point average (GPA). The award is contingent on the final high school transcript. Students must apply for admission to Carl Sandburg College and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®). Scholarship awards will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. High school seniors graduating from in-district high schools are eligible to apply.

Our Presidential Scholarships are housed under the Presidential Scholarship Application. You can apply for the Presidential Scholarship through your mySandburg account. See the "How to Apply" section for details on how to apply online.