21st Century Scholar Student Application
The 21st Century Scholars Society scholarship was established in 2007 to invest in IVCC’s
most promising second-year students. The Society’s mission is to reward currently
enrolled IVCC students who demonstrate academic excellence and college and community
service, and will graduate or transfer to an institution of higher education in May
2025.
The Scholar may be awarded up to $3,000 for their sophomore year to assist with tuition,
fees, books or educational expenses. In addition, finalists could possibly receive
awards ranging from $500 up to $1,500.
Eligibility requirements
1. Student must have completed 12 credit hours or more in fall 2024;
2. Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more in spring 2025 and all credits must be completed
by the end of the term;
3. By the close of spring 2025, a total of 24 IVCC credit hours or more must be completed;
4. By the close of spring 2025, a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above must be documented
on an IVCC transcript.
NOTE: Students formally accepted in the LPN or RN program, full-time hours may vary.
NOTE: If chosen as a recipient, you are expected to enroll at full-time* in Fall 2025
and Spring 2026 (*12 credit hours or more per emester).
NOTE: Students previously awarded the 21st Century Scholars Society scholarship are not
eligible to apply.
You will be required to upload an essay as a DOC or DOCX document (max. 16 MB) with
the online application. Prepare your essay before you click the "Apply" button.
Essay Preparation
Requirements - Please discuss the following in detail.
1. Your educational goals and career aspirations
2. Individual(s) who have helped guide and inspire your academic goals and/or successes
3. Leadership abilities
4. Past or current involvement in campus organizations or activities
5. Involvement in community service external to IVCC
6. Financial concerns or special circumstances that may merit consideration
7. Personal obstacles you overcame, if applicable
Guidelines
Length: minimum of 1,000 words but no more than 4 pages
Typed, double-spaced
Font type & size: Times New Roman, 12
All margins 1 inch
Application available Monday, March 24, 2025 with the deadline Friday, April 25, 2025
to submit the application and essay for the 2025-26 school year.
Contact Donna Swiskoski in the IVCC Foundation Office for more information at donna_swiskoski@ivcc.edu or (815) 224-0551
We are proud of the accomplishments of our past 21st Century Scholars.
2023-24 year
Scholar
Andrew Knipper
Special Recognition
Logan Brandner
Caleb Savitch
Elizabeth Boyles
Merit
Elizabeth Browder
Madeline Klicker
Isabella Lambert
Eric Lockwood
Earl Pantig
2022-23 year
Scholar
Gunnar Jauch
2021-22 year
Scholar
Helena Ogle
2020-21 Scholar
Grace McCormick
2019-20 co-Scholars
Gena Fassino and Devanshi Patel
2018-19 Scholar
Lillian Rodrigues
2017-18 Scholar
Akari Oya
2016-17 Scholar
Gabriel Braboy