CRC CONNECTION: Scholarship Edition

Hi Seniors!

Scholarship “season” is upon us, and now is a great time to start looking for and applying to different scholarship opportunities. This newsletter has a lot of resources to assist you with finding and completing scholarship applications. Be sure to bookmark the link below and watch the video above for important information and tips!

TWO POINTS OF EMPHASIS FROM THE CRC:

1. It's VERY RARE that students win scholarships from national databases--focus on local scholarships instead. We do share information about national scholarships, but we have become increasingly concerned about students devoting a lot of time to scholarship applications with little chance of winning those scholarships. Please read this article for more information.

2. Check college policies on outside scholarships. Many colleges practice what is referred to as "Scholarship Displacement," which means the college reduces the aid they give to students when students receive outside scholarships. Families should contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions about a college's outside scholarship policy.

The Vernon Hills High School Scholarship Program is now open and accepting applications! We have 12 different scholarships that will be awarded ONLY to graduating VHHS seniors. Apply to one or all scholarships if you meet the eligibility criteria. To learn more about each scholarship and find information on how to apply, visit our VHHS Scholarship Program Guide and watch the video below.

DEADLINE FOR ALL VHHS SCHOLARSHIPS: 8:00 AM on FEBRUARY 23, 2026

PART 1 asks general information about you and your high school career. You will complete Part I only once.

PART 2 allows you to select the specific scholarship to which you want to apply. Locate the ones that apply to you and fill out the specific, supplementary information for that scholarship. You can apply to as many scholarships as you like, but you will need to complete PART TWO for each one.

• Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria before applying
• Create your essay/answers in another document (review for spelling and grammar); We expect original content created by you (not family/friends, not AI)
• Read the Essay Prompt(s) carefully and make sure your essay answers the prompt
• Review your information before submitting to avoid unnecessary typos and errors

Except for the Rotary Scholarship, if you apply for a VHHS Scholarship that requires a Letter of Recommendation, DO NOT ASK A TEACHER OR RECOMMENDER TO WRITE A LETTER. We will either use an existing letter of recommendation that is already in SchooLinks or we will send the recommender an evaluation form to complete after you apply. You do NOT need to request your transcript for VHHS-specific Scholarships, we will provide it to the Scholarship Committee if required.

Most scholarships will be announced at the VHHS Honors Day Assembly on May 18, 2026.

The D128 Scholarship Database compiled by VHHS and LHS provides a curated list of local, regional, national, and trades/vocational scholarship opportunities, as well as links to national scholarship search engines. Several local scholarships that are listed in this database and outlined below are also highlighted in our VHHS Scholarship Program Guide.

Over the next few months, we receive information about local scholarships that have been awarded to VHHS students in the past. You can find these scholarships highlighted in our VHHS Scholarship Program Guide under the D128 Scholarship Database overview section. Currently, only the Sports Lodge B'nai B'rith Scholarship Application is open, but others will be added as we receive the information so check our Scholarship Program Guide and the D128 Scholarship Database regularly! Please note, these are NOT considered VHHS-specific Scholarships, so you will need to submit the completed application directly to the organization and download and provide your transcript directly (or, if an official transcript is required, see How to Request an Official Transcript in SchooLinks).

Please stop by the CRC if you have any questions or need help applying for Scholarships!