Photo provided by MVCC Marketing
By Karolina Granda, Editor-in-Chief
One of the biggest hurdles of higher education is the ballooning costs of achieving more than just a high school diploma. Millions of students and their parents take on huge debts in order to finance the cost of a college degree. Community colleges like Moraine Valley offer lower costs for local students, as well as a variety of certificate and non-degree options. Yet, some students struggle even with the costs associated with starting their post-high school education closer to home. The Moraine Valley Foundation assists students every year with over $80,000 in scholarship opportunities to help ease that financial strain.
Scholarship significance
Tuition and book scholarships support of the concept that education should be based on willingness to learn without financial impositions. Moraine Valley provides its students with a diverse access to such opportunities through scholarly, employment, skillsets, and financial needs, amongst others. Specifically, information technology major, Aylin Lopez explains that her reception of the Kiwanis scholarship has “become a stepping stone toward the future I’m working for, making my goals feel a lot more within reach.”
2026-2027 school year scholarships
By accessing the scholarship link, students can browse a variety of these scholarships and apply to those that align with themselves. The start of applications for the upcoming school year is open now through May 31 for the 2026-2027 school year. Donors offer over 300 scholarships ranging from $250 to $5,000. Most students already have the qualities necessary to be considered for these scholarships; all that remains is the expression of such qualities in an essay format that will be reviewed by volunteer faculty and staff members. Only a single application and essay are required for the MV Foundation Scholarships. Based on applicant responses, each is automatically slotted in to all scholarships for which they are eligible. Many are niche scholarships for specific programs, based on first-generation student status, or an interruption in collegiate education of five years or more. Others take into consideration one’s racial demographic, so it is important to answer each question accurately, and not select a “Prefer not to answer” option.
External scholarships
Don’t limit yourself – apply to external scholarships, too! These scholarships are provided by external associations, and the aid students are granted can be utilized toward their Moraine tuition. For example, students can apply to scholarships through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission where they can access aid based on volunteer experience, academic achievements, demographic affiliation, and more. In addition, Moraine Valley offers virtual and in-person assistance for writing scholarship essays. Remote assistance is located here: Moraine-Scholarships or by contacting the scholarship director, Patti Mehallick @ mehallickp@morainevalley.edu. Additionally, students can stop by the Speaking and Writing Center located in Building A to obtain a greater grasp on how to properly formulate the required 300–500-word scholarship essay.
Apply today for your future.
