State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) announced today that the Illinois Conservation Foundation is offering Conservation Achievement Scholarships to help promote the value of our natural world and encourage the next generation of leaders to engage in personal efforts to preserve and enhance a sustainable outdoor environment.
“I think this scholarship opportunity is perfect for FFA students and others who appreciate wildlife habitats for fishing and hunting and understand farming issues related to soil erosion and crop rotation,” said Rep. Wilhour. “Young people who help with recycling and community trash clean-up projects would be another group of students who should consider applying for these scholarships.”
This opportunity is available to outstanding high school seniors in Illinois who have demonstrated effective, voluntary, long-term dedication to the preservation, protection, enhancement and/or promotion of Illinois’ natural resources. One of the scholarships will be given to a qualified applicant who is also a legal dependent of a current Illinois Department of Natural Resources employee (at the time the ICF receives the application).
Up to four one-time scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded. The scholarship funds may be used for expenses related to the two- or four-year college or university degree including tuition; college fees; textbooks; and/or room and board at the university. The funds are mailed directly to the college or university of the successful applicants.
Applicants must be an Illinois resident and senior in an Illinois high school during the year of the scholarship award; be able to provide specific examples of voluntary, effective contributions to Illinois’ natural resources throughout his/her high school enrollment; have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and be enrolling in a two- or four-year college or university program of study in the calendar year of his/her high school graduation.
For more information on the application process, visit www.ilcf.org. Questions should be addressed to the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 217/785-2003 or dnr.icf@illinois.gov.