Scholarships are closed for 2024. Please check back in early 2025.

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, Community College, or other institution of higher learning.. The Club encourages all eligible students to apply to help support their academic careers.

If you should have any questions, please call the Rotary Scholarship School Contact, Cathy Jo Wahl at (217) 883-1155.

The Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholarship

For 2024, 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 of the legally defined boundaries of Jacksonville, IL School District 117, and
  • Is a senior expecting to graduate in May-June of 2024 with plans to attend an institution of higher learning, and
  • Is NOT a child of a current Rotarian

Application scoring is weighted towards Community Service and Leadership Activities. If the applicant can document hours of community service and/or church service, and can easily express their scholastic goals, they will be competitive for this scholarship.

The Ideal Candidate for this award:

  • Is service minded and can document hours served with recognized groups such as church and charitable organizations.
  • 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.
  • Is an above average student.

The $2000.00 scholarship will be paid directly to the student’s selected school of higher learning on behalf of the student. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and/or school supplies, including books.

  • Deadline for applications is March 22, 2024.
  • Notification that application has been received will be within one week as long as a valid e-mail address is provided, but no later than March 25, 2024.
  • Finalists interviewed the week of April 22, 2024.
  • Winners and schools notified by May 6, 2024.

If you should have any questions, please call the Rotary Scholarship School Contact, Cathy Jo Wahl
at (217) 883-1155.

SSG Matthew Weikert Scholarship

Staff Sergeant Matt Weikert was a graduate of Jacksonville High School (JHS). 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 adults who will be attending Vocational School, Technical School, Community College, or other institution of higher learning.

To be considered for this award an eligible student:

  • Resident of Jacksonville, Illinois, School District 117, and
  • Is not a child of a current Rotarian

This $1000.00 scholarship will be paid directly to the scholarship recipient’s selected school. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and/or school supplies including books. This application is due by March 22, 2024. Notification that application has been received will be within one week as long as a valid email address is provided, but no later than March 25, 2024.
The Rotary Scholarship Committee will interview selected finalists the week of April 22, 2024, and notify winners of the scholarship(s) by May 6, 2024.

If you should have any questions, please call the Rotary Scholarship School Contact, Cathy Jo Wahl at (217) 883-1155.

On-line Application Process:

  1. Save the application to your hard drive and add your name to the end 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.
  8. Send completed application, transcript, and reference letters together in one e-mail by March 22, 2024 to: scholarship@jacksonvillerotary.org.
  9. If successfully received, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you by March 25, 2024.
  10. 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.

Paper Application Instructions

1. Complete the application.
2. Hand-write or type your information on the application. (If necessary, you may use a separate sheet of paper.)
3. The short answer questionnaire.
4. Place your application, transcript, SAT/ACT report (if applicable) and references together in a large manila envelope.
5. Mail your completed application and references to:

Rotary Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 383
Jacksonville, IL 62651

If you should have any questions, please call the Rotary Scholarship School Contact, Cathy Jo Wahl at (217) 883-1155.

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.