HARRISBURG – As high school seniors make those final decisions about where to attend college after graduation, it’s important to keep in mind deadlines for scholarship applications.
At Southeastern Illinois College, the deadline is Feb. 28 for all students — new and current — who plan to attend during the 2023-2024 academic year.
One application serves for more than 300 possible scholarships. The application has three main requirements: 1) fill out the application entirely, 2) complete a typed 750-1,000 word essay explaining career goals, leadership experience, community involvement, and need for scholarships, and 3) submit a high school or current college transcript.
“Students can’t afford to wait on this, or they will miss out on money for college that does not have to be paid back,” said Michelle Metten, Senior Director of Financial Aid. “Some scholarships are for particular programs or for students from specific areas of the district, so if there are no candidates in a category, those scholarships go unused. We recommend everyone apply for scholarships, even if they think they may not be eligible.”
More than 70% of the students attending Southeastern receive some form of financial aid or scholarships. Illinois State Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants and federal Pell grants make up a large portion of this aid, but SIC and the SIC Foundation go a step further by providing local scholarships and grants provided by alumni, individuals, and businesses in southeastern Illinois that want to make a difference in their community. In fact, more than $600,000 in scholarships is available to qualified students attending SIC each year between academic, talent, and athletic scholarships.
Before applying for scholarships, students should have filled out a college application for SIC at sic.edu/apply. Additionally, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filled out prior to receiving scholarship funds. This application can be found at fafsa.gov, and should be filled out as soon as possible each year beginning in October for the following fall semester.
There is a separate application available for the Fresh Start Scholarship. This scholarship is only for those who have been out of college for three years or more, are 25 or older, live in the college district, and take at least six credit hours toward a degree or certificate. Tuition for the first six credit hours will be waived for those who qualify. Visit sic.edu/freshstart for more information.
Another important deadline to keep in mind is the deadline to apply to the practical nursing and associate degree nursing programs, which is always March 31 for the following fall. Visit sic.edu/nursing to learn more about the accredited nursing program and the application process. However, anyone planning to enter the nursing program should still apply for scholarships by Feb. 28.
Finally, registration for summer and fall classes will begin March 27.
The SIC scholarship application can be found at sic.edu/scholarships and must be submitted by Feb. 28 to the Financial Aid Office, Southeastern Illinois College, 3575 College Road, Harrisburg, IL 62946. For assistance with the application or questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (618) 252-5400, ext. 4110 or fao@sic.edu, or the SIC Foundation Office at ext. 2104.
Anyone wishing to donate to a scholarship or to the endowment fund is encouraged to visit sic.edu/give, email giving@sic.edu, or call 618-252-5400, ext. 2482.