External Scholarships
Many students at Aurora University receive scholarships from organizations outside of AU. Browse the list of external scholarship opportunities and resources below.
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Scholarship Opportunities
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Aileen S. Andrew Foundation Scholarship
ACI is offering the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation Scholarship for $2,500. One student will be awarded the full scholarship.
Eligibility requirements:
- Full-time undergraduate student
- Demonstrate unmet financial need
- Intended for students from families with a low or moderate household income
To apply:
- Submit an essay (one page maximum) in an interesting way describing who you are and how you plan to utilize your degree upon receiving it after graduation.
- You can submit your essay online, along with this application, at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Winners will be announced by May 13 and are required to complete an online thank you shortly after notification.
Deadline: May 8, 2024
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Fiducient Advisors Knowledge is Power Scholarship
ACI is offering the Fiducient Advisors Knowledge is Power Scholarship for $2,500. One student will be awarded the full scholarship.
Eligibility requirements:
- Full-time undergraduate student
- Demonstrate unmet financial need
- Intended for students from families with a low or moderate household income
To apply:
- Submit an essay (one page maximum) in an interesting way describing who you are and how you plan to utilize your degree upon receiving it after graduation.
- You can submit your essay online, along with this application, at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Winners will be announced by May 13 and are required to complete an online thank you shortly after notification.
Deadline: May 8, 2024
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) General Scholarship
ACI is offering a General Scholarship for $3,830. The award will be divided among multiple students.
Eligibility requirements:
- Full-time undergraduate student
- Demonstrate unmet financial need
- Intended for students from families with a low or moderate household income
To apply:
- Submit an essay (one page maximum) in an interesting way describing who you are and how you plan to utilize your degree upon receiving it after graduation.
- You can submit your essay online, along with this application, at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Winners will be announced by May 13 and are required to complete an online thank you shortly after notification.
Deadline: May 8, 2024
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) PACCAR Inc. Foundation Scholarship
ACI is offering the PACCAR Inc. Foundation Scholarship for $1,250. Two students will be awarded the full scholarship.
Eligibility requirements:
- Full-time undergraduate student
- Demonstrate unmet financial need
- Background reflects one or more of the following: first-generation student, low/moderate household income, or minority
To apply:
- Submit an essay (one page maximum) in an interesting way describing who you are and how you plan to utilize your degree upon receiving it after graduation.
- You can submit your essay online, along with this application, at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Winners will be announced by May 13 and are required to complete an online thank you shortly after notification.
Deadline: May 8, 2024
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) A. Montgomery Ward Foundation Scholarship
ACI is offering the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation Scholarship for $1,250. Two students will be awarded the full scholarship.
Eligibility requirements:
- Full-time undergraduate student
- U.S. citizen
- 3.0 or higher GPA
- Intended for students from families with moderate household income
To apply:
- Submit an essay (one page maximum) in an interesting way describing who you are and how you plan to utilize your degree upon receiving it after graduation.
- You can submit your essay online, along with this application, at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Winners will be announced by May 13 and are required to complete an online thank you shortly after notification.
Deadline: May 8, 2024
American Association of University Women (AAUW): Elgin IL Area Branch
The Elgin Area Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) is offering two $1,000 scholarships to be used to meet undergraduate college expenses.
The Betty Medearis Memorial Scholarship and the Elgin Legacy/Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 3, 2024
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
- ISAC Golden Apple Scholarship
Deadline: April 1, 2024 - ISAC Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2024
The Harlan and Joan Behrens Scholarship
The Harlan and Joan Behrens Scholarship, in the amount of $7,800, was created by Harlan Behrens, AU ’51, in memory of his wife, Joan Marie Behrens, nee Haines, AU ’52. Their shared goal: helping students succeed, fulfill their potential, and have a positive impact on the world.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Attending AU as a traditional undergraduate student
- Reside (hometown) in the Fox Valley region in Knox County, Illinois
- Majoring in English, Communication, History, Theatre, or Education
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
To apply:
- Submit your application, essay, and letter of recommendation at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Deadline: March 15, 2024
The Erhart Stallmann Scholarship
The Erhart Stallmann ’63 Endowed Scholarship, in the amount of $2,200, was established by his wife, Shirley Stallmann, his two children, and grandchildren, with the intent to pass on blessings the family has received.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Attending AU as a traditional undergraduate student who has completed their sophomore year
- Must be a citizen of the United States by birth or naturalization
- Majoring in Business, Education, or Nursing
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
To apply:
- Submit your application, essay, and letter of recommendation at aurora.edu/submitfinaidforms.
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Illinois Sheriff's Association Scholarship Program
The Illinois Sheriff's Association will be awarding over one hundred $500 scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois.
Illinois Sheriff's Association
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
If you live in the Fox River Valley area, there are scholarships just for you! Many students are awarded scholarships that are available through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. Complete the scholarship eligibility questions to begin the application process.
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Deadline: January 31, 2024
United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI)
USHLI has awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships and internships to students from disenfranchised communities from coast to coast. Each scholarship has different requirements and monetary value for recipients.
Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
The Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders seeks to recognize students who share Dr. Andrade’s commitment to servant leadership.
Deadline: November 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Denny’s Hungry For Education
Denny’s Hungry For Education scholarship program is partnering with USHLI to award deserving high school and college students for their ideas to help in the fight against childhood hunger.
Deadline: November 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Rumba Meats
Through a partnership with United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, Rumba Meats is awarding 25 post-secondary academic scholarships of $1,000 each and helping empower today’s Hispanic youth to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Deadline: November 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Scholarship Search Engines
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- FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
- CollegeBoard
- Scholarships.com
- ScholarshipExperts.com