About Dollars for Scholars

Dollars for Scholars is a national network of nearly 1,200 grassroots, community-based, volunteer-driven scholarship foundations in cities, towns and neighborhoods in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Dollars for Scholars scholarships are critical to many students’ ability to overcome the rising cost of tuition. Each community that starts a Dollars for Scholars chapter sends its youth a message of hope, encouraging students by letting them know that there is an entire community of volunteers who support their success and share their educational dreams.

Dollars for Scholars is a program of Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship and educational support organization. The national Dollars for Scholars program and Scholarship America provide the Illinois Dollars for Scholars region and its local chapter affiliates with more than 45 years of experience and proven resources.

The common element in Dollars for Scholars chapters is community-based fundraising for scholarships awarded to local students. Beyond these scholarships, a growing number of Dollars for Scholars chapters now offer a variety of academic support programs connecting students and parents with resources in the community—from mentoring and tutoring programs to finding financial aid to securing grants and loans.

 

Illinois Dollars for Scholars

Since 1997, Illinois Dollars for Scholars has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to 2986 students in 153 Illinois Dollars for Scholars chapters. Nicor Gas is the founding sponsor of Illinois Dollars for Scholars.

 

Because College Doesn't Happen By Chance®.