Every year YWCA Northwestern Illinois grants scholarships to assist local students pursing a higher education.

Recipients of the 2024 Bright Future Scholarships

• Jordan Happ – Rockford Christian High School
• Elle Mathison – Belvidere North High School
• Evelyn Walters – River Ridge High School

Recipients of the 2024 La Voz Latina Scholarships

• Leonel Bautista Cortez – Auburn High School
• Gabriella Herrera – Belvidere North High School

Bright Future Scholarship Candidates must:

1. Be a female high school senior.
2. Be planning to continue her education, not limited to college.
3. Be a resident of and attending high school in Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, or Jo Daviess Counties.
4. Maintain a 2.5 scholastic average or equivalent.

Criteria for award recipient selection

1. Applicant should display leadership characteristics and the potential to affect change.
2. Applicant should exhibit qualities including, but not limited to:

• • courage and tenacity to overcome barriers and obstacles to achievement;
  • creative thinking and problem solving;
  • accepting and delegating responsibility;
  • expressing concern and demonstrating tolerance;
  • a commitment to diversity;
  • strong written and verbal communication skills.

The following requirements must be met for application to be considered, all others will be rejected:

PROCEDURES

1. All information must be typed or word-processed.
2. An essay must be submitted and must be typed or word-processed on a separate sheet, double-spaced, and included with the application.
3. The essay must be limited to one page, using a legible font size no smaller than 10-point.
4. Applicant’s name must be filled in on each requested name field.
5. The application MUST be reviewed and signed by the counselor and the applicant.
6. The application should not be stapled, bound, or placed in a folder. Information not solicited (i.e., pictures, letters of recommendation, etc.) will not be considered and should not be included.

La Voz Latina Scholarship Candidates must:

1. Be of Hispanic descent (Male or Female).
2. Be a resident of Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson or Jo Daviess Counties.
3. Be an enrolled Senior at a Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson or Jo Daviess County high school.
4. Have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 out of 4.0.
5. Fulfill all requirements of the application process.

Criteria for award recipient selection

• Academic achievements which indicate a high potential for success in post secondary education
• Level of involvement in school and community activities.
• Completed description of projected financial needs as stated in part 2 of application.
• Strength of essay written for application.
• Demonstration of financial need.
• Submission of at least two letters of recommendation; one of which must be written by a teacher, school counselor or administrator.
• Classification as a graduating senior by the time award is granted, followed by enrollment at an accredited college or university.

PROCEDURES

• Each high school senior counselor is asked to help identify candidates for the award.
• It is recommended that candidates work closely with their school counselors while processing this application. A final signature from a high school counselor is required.
• All parts of the application must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be considered.
• Scholarship winners will be expected to submit a suitable photo and participate in one La Voz Latina youth project (4 hour commitment).
• This scholarship has grown and two will be awarded in the amount of $1670 each to a male or female high school senior of Hispanic/Latino descent

Applications can be obtained from our website, Facebook page, or your school counselor.