APPLY FOR NEW 2024 SCHOLARSHIPS

NEW APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2025

All application materials for 2025-2026 will be posted in January 2025 at www.myscholarshipcentral.org .

This page provides an overview of the materials you will need to apply through Scholarship Central.  All documents must be uploaded by April 15, 2025.

The Scholarship Committee will begin their review of application materials shortly after the deadline. Decisions are usually announced in writing by July, 2025.

Please note that multiple items must be uploaded as part of your application on Scholarship Central. The following are items required of your application and must be uploaded to “Scholarship Central”

1. Application– All application questions must be answered and will be included in the link on My Scholarship Central. Search for Greater East St. Louis Community Fund.
2. Submit two Recommendations– Recommendations are required and at least one must be from a teacher or counselor. Instructions for how to submit your reference form electronically will be provided on  the My Scholarship Central portal.
3. A Copy of your Letter of Acceptance from the college you plan to attend must be uploaded as part of your application
4. FAFSA (Free Applicant for Federal Student Aid) You must upload a completed FAFSA that has been processed by the Federal Processor **(SEE BELOW). The FAFSA is open early December 2024.
5. Copy of A Utility Bill– upload a current utility bill from your residence to verify residency in East St. Louis or Brooklyn. Utility bill must not be older than 90 days. Examples of utility bills are: Ameren or American Water.
6. Official Academic Transcript– All applicants must arrange for an official transcript to be uploaded to the site by the deadline. The transcript must show Fall semester grades with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher

All Applications must be completed and submitted electronically via Scholarship Central no later than April 15, 2025.

** Make sure you submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application before applying to our program.  You will be required to upload a copy of your FAFSA document as part of our application process. Prospective College Students were able to begin submitting their FAFSA applications early December 2024.  Here is the link to begin competing your FAFSA:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

RENEWING APPLICANTS

These are already in the program.

 RENEWAL APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 5, 2025

Renewal applications are also poste on MyScholarshipCentral.org This is only for students already in the program. Make sure you use the application that says renewal.

Merit Scholarship

The Merit Scholarship fund is a general scholarship program for East St. Louis & Brooklyn graduating high school seniors with a 2.75 GPA and enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university. The Merit Scholarship can be renewable for students who meet minimum college or university GPA requirements.

Judge William D. Stiehl Scholarship

As a legacy to The FUND’s creator, the Honorable William D. Stiehl, the Endowment Fund stands apart as one of our most prized scholarships. Each year, Greater East St. Louis Community Fund will award the scholarship to students who qualify. To be eligible, students must:

• Be a graduating college senior who is a resident of East St. Louis or Brooklyn
• Attend an accredited college or university as a full-time graduate student
• Maintain a 2.75 grade point average while in school.

Because of the Judge Stiehl’s interest in improving disinvested communities, The William D. Stiehl Scholarship will only be awarded to students whose field of study is city & regional planning, public policy or public administration and who plan to work in low-income communities upon graduation from college. People like you make this scholarship possible through donations. Turn the page to find ways you can donate.

Reaching for Dreams Scholarship 

The Reaching for Dreams Scholarship Fund is for East St. Louis & Brooklyn graduating high school seniors who show promise toward gradating in four years but do not meet general requirements for the Merit scholarship program.  These scholarships are awarded on a limited or one-time basis.