CFNIL’s scholarship funds were created by donors that recognize the importance of helping students achieve their educational goals, now and in perpetuity. The funds’ creators selected the criteria based on their interests and the community’s need. Many of CFNIL’s scholarships are memorials, which celebrate the life and passions of individuals. The applications are read and scored by committees of volunteers who use a “blind” review process and make recommendations to CFNIL’s Board of Trustees. Scholarship recipients are announced in late April.
Awards are sent directly to the recipient’s post-secondary institution. To be eligible for the Dorothy Cleland Memorial NSDAR Scholarship, applicants must: be a graduating senior who resides in Winnebago County; have financial need (an EFC of no more than 10,000); and demonstrate outstanding leadership, dependability, and citizenship. Academic performance will be given high priority consideration in the selection process. Dollar amounts will vary.