Navigating Quad Cities Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide to Eligibility, Requirements, and Opportunities

Securing financial aid is a crucial step for students pursuing higher education. The Quad Cities area offers a variety of scholarship opportunities through the Quad Cities Community Foundation and other local organizations. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship landscape in the Quad Cities, outlining eligibility criteria, application requirements, and key considerations for prospective applicants.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that were defined by the donor when the fund was established. Unless otherwise stated, applicants are required to be a resident in, have attended high school in, or attend college/ graduate school in Rock Island County (IL) or Scott County (IA).

The scholarships are for any student, regardless of citizenship or documentation status, unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria. The Quad Cities Community Foundation does not collect any citizenship or documentation paperwork and applicant information will only be reviewed by the Quad Cities Community Foundation Staff and Scholarship Committee.

To determine which scholarships you can apply for, complete the eligibility quiz in the online system. Once you have taken the eligibility quiz, the applications that you are eligible to complete will be assigned to you in the online scholarship system.

Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applications become available online on November 1 each year. Before filling out an application, you'll need to create an account in our online scholarships system. By completing a universal scholarship application, students will answer a series of questions and the system will automatically transfer those questions and responses into all the scholarship applications for which the student is eligible.

Essential Information to Have on Hand

Before filling out an application, be sure to have the following information on hand:

High School and/or College Transcripts: These provide a record of your academic performance.
Essay: The topic of the essay varies with each scholarship, allowing you to showcase your writing skills and personal experiences.
Letters of Recommendation: The Quad City Regional Auto Show scholarship requires two recommendation letters. All other scholarships require one recommendation letter and students may opt to submit a second letter.
FAFSA Submission Summary: In order to be considered for need-based scholarships, students must upload a copy of the FAFSA Submission Summary indicating your SAI (Student Aid Index). The SAI will be sent to you after you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), which is available at FAFSA.ed.gov. Please allow enough time to complete the FAFSA as the SAI may take up to a week to generate. It is encouraged that you complete the FAFSA well before the February 15th deadline to ensure that you can upload it to your application.
Additional Materials: Review the scholarship criteria for any additional materials you may need to submit.

All documentation must be included when you submit your online scholarship application. Each question in the application requesting a recommendation letter contains an upload button. You can gather your letters and attach them by using this upload button.

Applications are not accepted after the deadline.

Scholarship Award Details

Award Amounts and Usage

Scholarships offer varying award amounts, which range from $500 to $11,000 annually, depending on the size of the particular fund, the number of qualified applicants, and the wishes of the donors.

The scholarships are for any educational expenses to pursue undergraduate and/ or graduate (depending on scholarship criteria) studies: tuition and fees, books, and room and board, unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria. Scholarship funds may only be paid to an organization incorporated in the United States. Scholarship recipients planning to study abroad are eligible to receive scholarship payments as long as the scholarship is being paid to a U.S-based institution.

Scholarship recipients must continue to abide by all the scholarship criteria during the period of time covered by their scholarship, barring illness or emergency. If your school has a traditional 2 semester schedule, this means half of your scholarship will go to your fall semester tuition and half will go to your spring semester tuition. If the school has a trimester/ 3 term schedule, the scholarship will be divided in thirds, and if the school has a quarter/ 4 term schedule, the scholarship will be divided in quarters.

Scholarship Disbursement

If awarded a scholarship, the check is not given directly to the student. To ensure your check is credited to your student account, scholarship award checks are sent directly to the institution.

Repayment Obligations

These are charitable grants that do not need to be paid back.

Evaluation Process: How Applications Are Judged

A panel of community volunteers appointed by the Quad Cities Community Foundation's Board will meet after the deadline to review all applications and select recipients based on the criteria established by the donors. On average, over 1500 applications are submitted each year and we award to about 60 students from the scholarship funds.

Depending on the scholarship criteria, the committee may consider the applicants' academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, work experience, community involvement, financial need, and recommendations about leadership and character.

Read also: Is Quad Education Worth It?

Featured Scholarships and Specific Requirements

The Quad Cities Community Foundation offers a diverse array of scholarships, each with its own unique focus and eligibility requirements. Here's a glimpse into some of these opportunities:

The Lynn Vermeer Youth Development Scholarship: This scholarship was created to support youth development and higher education - both of which Mr. Vermeer was deeply passionate about.
Trinity Regional Health System Scholarships: These scholarships are available to current employees of Trinity Regional Health System (or successor), their children or grandchildren, and Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences students who wish to pursue or are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree to work in the field of behavioral health. Must live within 75 miles of 2701 17th St. Dr.
Kenneth D. Moburg Scholarships: These awards provide assistance to a UnityPoint Health - Quad Cities/Muscatine team member's child pursuing a degree in a healthcare profession that requires an Associate's Degree or more, or to persons who are engaged in graduate study leading to either a Master's or Doctorate Degree in some aspect of Health Care Administration.
Trinity Medical Staff Scholarships: These scholarships support students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing or a degree in either radiography or lab sciences at Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
Dr. Prem S. Virdi M.D. Health Sciences and Nursing Scholarship: This scholarship awards scholarships to students pursuing a graduate or undergraduate nursing or health sciences degree from Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences. One scholarship will be awarded annually for $2,500. Applicants living within 75 miles of 2701 17th St.
UnityPoint Health - Trinity Achieve Scholarship: This scholarship is designed for students who have shown grit and determination to achieve their desired educational and career goals and are pursuing an undergraduate nursing or health sciences degree from Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Applicants living within 75 miles of 2701 17th St.
Cardiovascular Medicine Youth Mentoring Health Scholarship: This scholarship is for Quad Cities area high school seniors and/or undergraduate students who plan to pursue or are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study in math, science or the medical sciences from an accredited college or university. Must live within 75 miles of 2701 17th St.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Scholarships: The Quad Cities branch of the AAUW offers the Jepson Undergraduate Scholarship and the Sievert/Whitaker Graduate Scholarship.
August & Edna Zahatko Scholarship: This need-based scholarship is awarded every four years.
Brand Boeshaar Scholarship: This scholarship supports students pursuing higher education.
Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School: This need-based scholarship is specifically for students from Mercer County High School.
Clifford and Louise King Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded every four years.
CORKY KRESS GOLF SCHOLARSHIP: This need-based scholarship supports students involved in golf.
DEARREL BATES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
Diana (Diane) De Pover-Nesseler Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded every four years.
Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship: This scholarship assists individuals pursuing an education at colleges and other post-high school institutions, including trade and technical schools.
DONNA JEAN ARZBERGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship will award a new scholarship in 2029.
DR. ANITA L. PINC Memorial SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship is awarded every two years and is for Graduate Students.
Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship: This need-based scholarship is for students of Korean descent.
Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship:
Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship: This scholarship is intended to assist the average student to achieve a college education.
Elise Brett Scholarship: This scholarship is typically awarded every four years.
Frances S. Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded every four years.
Gene S. Duke Scholarship:
Great River Bend Cyclone Award Scholarship: This scholarship will award a new scholarship in 2027.
GUSTAV A. AND GERDA H.C. Scholarship: This scholarship is for graduates of a high school in Scott County, Iowa.
HELEN DURANLEAU-BRENNAN THEATER SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship is awarded every four years and is for students majoring or minoring in theater.
HELEN MAURER SIMMONS SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship is awarded every four years.
Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship:
Horsley opportunity SCHOLARSHIP fund:
JAMES W. VICTOR SCHOLARSHIP:
Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship: This scholarship is for graduating seniors from Davenport Central, North, West; Bettendorf; or Rivermont Collegiate.
JAYNE LEE ANDREESEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors from Pleasant Valley High School with an interest in pursuing a career in a health-related field.
Jerry and Martha Taylor MEmorial SCHOLARSHIP:
John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship:
LOREN AND TAMMY BOCKWOLDT FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP:
Louis F. Bulechek Memorial Scholarship:
LT. COL. WILLIAM T. COOPER MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship is for graduating seniors attending Fort Madison Senior High School or Holy Trinity Catholic High School who intend to pursue a career in the medical field.
LT. COL. WILLIAM T. COOPER CITIZENSHIP SCHOLARSHIP:
Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship:
MIKE CONDON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:

For a comprehensive list of scholarships and their specific criteria, refer to the scholarship listings organized by state, financial need, student status, or those for the skilled trades on the Quad Cities Community Foundation website.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

The scholarships provided by the Quad Cities Community Foundation are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for these scholarships, students should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans and work-study awards. A complete financial package can be put together by your college financial aid office and may include a portion of each of the above types of financial aid.

Augustana College Quad City Promise Scholarship

Augustana College offers a $2,000 Quad City Promise Scholarship to students from Quad Cities area high schools. Students from the following counties are eligible:

In Iowa: Scott
In Illinois: Rock Island, Henry and Mercer

Augustana’s $2,000 Quad City Promise Grant is renewable for up to four years, and is in addition to up to $31,000 in merit awards offered by the college.

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