The Rotary Club of Jacksonville offers two scholarships programs – The Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholarship for college-bound students, and The SSG Matthew Weikert Scholarship to students who will be attending Vocational School, Technical School, or Community College. The Club encourages all eligible students to apply to help support their academic careers.

If you should have any questions, please call Rotary Scholarship Contact, Laurie Evans, at (217) 370-8322.

THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SUBMISSIONS IS CLOSED FOR 2026.
FUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNTIES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2027

Below are examples of the 2026 Scholarships

The Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholarship

For 2026, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville is offering Senior Scholarships to college-bound students.
The amount awarded per scholarship will be $2000.

To be considered for this award an eligible student:

  • MUST be a resident and senior attending a school within the legally defined boundaries of the Jacksonville, IL School District 117 expecting to graduate in May-June of 2026
  • Is not a child of a current Rotarian

The Ideal Candidate for this award:

  • Is community minded and values service to others.
  • Is career minded and can easily communicate aspirations for the future.
  • Has geared their high school career toward college attendance.
  • Has demonstrated leadership skills and can list areas where they have held leadership positions while in high school.

The $2000.00 scholarship will be paid directly to the student’s selected school on behalf of the student. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and fees.

  • Deadline for applications is March 2, 2026.
  • Finalists interviewed the week of April 13, 2026.
  • Winners and schools notified by April 20, 2026.

Rotary Scholarship Online Application Instructions

  1. Save the application to your hard drive and add your name to the beginning of the file name.
  2. Close your web browser.
  3. Open the application and complete it.
  4. The essay question is limited to 300 words or less.
  5. Save the completed application to your hard drive.
  6. Scan your reference letters.
  7. Save all scanned and electronic documents as PDFs. Ensure YOUR NAME is in the file name.
  8. Send completed application, transcript, and reference letters together in one e-mail by March 2, 2026 to: scholarship@jacksonvillerotary.org
  9. NOTE: Make sure to use YOUR NAME in the file name of all PDF documents. It is important that ALL application items be included as attachments to a single e-mail message. Include your name in both the subject line and body of the message.

SSG Sergeant Matt Weikert Scholarship

Staff Sergeant Matt Weikert was a graduate of Jacksonville High School. He was known for his leadership and his attitude of service above self. He served several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan where he gave his life for his country and our freedom. This $1000 scholarship is awarded in his honor.

The Jacksonville ROTARY Club is offering the SSG Matt Weikert Scholarship which will award $1000 to seniors or recent graduates who will be attending Vocational School, Technical School, or Community College. Those planning to attend a 4-year institution are not applicable to this scholarship.

To be considered for this award an eligible student:

  • Resident of the following Illinois counties: Cass, Greene, Morgan, or Scott, and
  • A current senior expecting to graduate in May-June 2026, or
  • Is a recent graduate of ANY school within the boundaries listed above.
  • Is not a child of a current Rotarian

This $1000.00 scholarship will be paid directly to the scholarship recipient’s selected vocational/training program. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and fees. This application is due by March 2, 2026.

The Rotary Scholarship Committee will interview selected finalists the week of April 13, 2026, and notify winners of the scholarship by April 20, 2026.

Weikert Online Application Instructions

  1. Save the application to your hard drive and add your name to the beginning of the file name.
  2. Close your web browser.
  3. Open the application and complete it.
  4. Complete short answer questionnaire.
  5. Save the completed application to your hard drive.
  6. Scan your reference letters.
  7. Save all scanned and electronic documents as PDFs. Ensure YOUR NAME is in the file name.
  8. Send completed application, transcript, and reference letter together in one e-mail by March 2, 2026 to: scholarship@jacksonvillerotary.org
  9. NOTE: Make sure to use YOUR NAME in the file name of all PDF documents. It is important that all application items be included as attachments to a SINGLE email message. Include your name in both the subject line and body of the message.

District Rotary Scholarships

A variety of scholarships are available to students who live in, attend school in, or graduated from a school in Rotary District 6460. This Rotary District encompasses an area roughly bounded by Quincy, Galesburg, Peoria, Springfield and the Illinois side of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Rotarians and their relatives are not eligible to apply for District Scholarships.

Please click HERE to learn more about District Scholarships.