Lake County Gazette

A number of local scholarships are available to assist graduating high school seniors with the cost of higher education. Over the next few weeks, the school district will provide information on the various scholarships available to graduating Coalers.

Today, we highlight scholarships offered by the Grundy County Justice Assistance Board, Morris Area Garden Club, Will County Farm Bureau, Grundy Area Vocational Center, Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties and Coal City Music Boosters.

A $1,000 scholarship is being offered by the Grundy County Justice Assistance Board to assist a 2025 Grundy County graduate who will be studying in the fields of law, social work [mental health], and/or law enforcement at a two- or four-year accredited university. Students who wish to apply are asked to write a 250-500 word essay regarding their chosen career path and their goals for the future. Applications are due to the school guidance counselor by Wednesday, Feb. 19. One finalist will be selected from each Grundy County High School to read their essay at the March 12 Justice Assistance Board meeting.

Ken P. Miller President | Coal City Community Unit School District 1

Morris Area Garden Club will recognize a Grundy County high school student pursuing a field of study aligned with the club’s interests such as agriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, botany, earth systems, conservation and others. One $500 award will be presented this spring to a student who enrolls in a college or vocational school. Applications are due March 1.

Will County Farm Bureau offers two scholarships each year: one to a graduating high school senior and another going to a student already in their higher education journey. Recipients must be members of the Will County Farm Bureau or dependents of members. Applications are due by March 3.

Seniors enrolled at Grundy Area Vocational Center [GAVC] are eligible to apply for various scholarships to assist with their post-secondary education— university, community college or career-based trade school. A complete list of scholarships and application dates is available on the GAVC website at gavc-il.org.

Seniors planning to study in construction-related fields—architecture, engineering, interior design or construction management—are encouraged to apply for the Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties [CAWGC] Scholarship. The scholarships are also open to children of CAWGC member company employees, full-time employees of CAWGC companies or Will/Grundy County union building tradesmen. Applications are due by 4 p.m., Friday, March 14.

Coalers who have participated in band and/or chorus during all four years—two years if transfer students—at Coal City High School are eligible to apply for the Coal City Music Boosters Scholarships. The financial awards ($500 each) serve to recognize students' contributions to the music program and support their further education. Two out of three scholarships are named in honor of former school district music directors—Mark Larmon and Rogers Cumming. Applications must be completed and submitted by March 31.

Additional information and applications for these and other local scholarships can be found on the Coal City School District website at www.coalcityschools.org under student services tab within high school page's student link section.