Madison County Offering $5,000 Scholarships

Local students can apply for scholarships supporting college or trade school fees for the 2026-2027 academic year through a new county initiative.

Staff Report

Mar 9, 2026 4:54 PM Mar 10, 2026 9:53 AM

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Community Development is accepting applications for a scholarship program designed to assist local students planning to attend college, trade school or other training programs during the upcoming academic year.

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Through funding provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program will award three scholarships valued at $5,000 each for the 2026-2027 school year. The awards will be distributed in two $2,500 installments at the start of the fall and spring semesters.

The scholarships must be used toward tuition, fees and program-specific supplies. Funds may not be used for housing, meals or transportation.

Eligible applicants must be residents of Madison County and planning to attend a college, university, trade school or occupational training program.

To qualify, students must also meet the CSBG income eligibility guidelines. Applicants must provide proof of gross income for the previous 30 days for all household members over the age of 18.

Current income eligibility guidelines for a 30-day period are:

Madison County Community Development is accepting applications for a scholarship program designed to assist local students planning to attend college, trade school or other training programs during the upcoming academic year.

The scholarships must be used toward tuition, fees and program-specific supplies. Funds may not be used for housing, meals or transportation.

Eligible applicants must be residents of Madison County and planning to attend a college, university, trade school or occupational training program.

To qualify, students must also meet the CSBG income eligibility guidelines. Applicants must provide proof of gross income for the previous 30 days for all household members over the age of 18.

Current income eligibility guidelines for a 30-day period are:

Family Size

30-Day Income

$2,660

$3,607

$4,553

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$5,500

$6,447

$7,393

$8,340

$9,287

For families with more than eight members, add $946 for each additional member.

Applicants must complete the scholarship application and CSBG intake forms and provide documentation including a photo identification or school ID and Social Security card. Students must also submit college transcripts, or high school transcripts if they enter college for the first time.

A letter of recommendation from a high school or college official is also required and must be submitted on official letterhead.

Applicants must also submit a minimum 500-word essay describing themselves, their college plans and career goals. Essays must respond to at least three questions from a list provided in the application.

Previous scholarship recipients are eligible to apply again.

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2026. The CSBG Advisory Council Scholarship Committee will review all applications and announce final selections in August.

Completed applications may be mailed or delivered to:

Madison County Community Development,

Attn: CSBG Scholarship Program,

157 N. Main St.,

Suite 312,

Edwardsville, IL 62025

between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Applicants who prefer to submit materials online may contact the department to receive a secure submission link.

For more information, contact Deanna Obernuefemann at 618-296-6177 or dmobernuefemann@madisoncountyil.gov. Visit https://www.madisoncountyil.gov for additional information and application materials.

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