Peoria Public Schools Foundation | Peoria, Illinois

Student Scholarships

Applications

The PPS Foundation has 25 unique scholarships to award graduating seniors from all three PPS high schools. Awards typically range from $500 – $4,000. Most of the following scholarships require a completion of an online application between November 1 and March 1 of each school year.  Please see links below.  If you have any questions, please contact jennifer.adler@psd150.org.

Scholarships for All PPS High School Seniors

Edward N. Woodruff Scholarship

  • $950 award available
  • This is a merit based scholarship.  Applications will be reviewed based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and response to essay questions.
  • Apply here.

Elizabeth Rasmussen Scholarship

  • $1,000 award available
  • Preference will be given to applicants who plan to major in teaching, but other majors may be considered.
  • Apply here.

H.E.A.R. Scholarship for Graduating Seniors

  • Up to $3,750 award available.
  • Must have a documented hearing impairment and have received services from MCA.
  • For new applicants, two letters of recommendation are also required.
  • Recipients may reapply each year after graduation.
  • Apply here.

John Dismuke Scholarship

  • $1,000 award available.
  • Must plan to major in STEM related field.
  • Must have minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Must have played in a sport for more than 2 years, including senior year.
  • Apply here.

John K. Garrett Scholarship

  • $500 award available.
  • Must have minimum 2.1 GPA.
  • Preference given to those affiliated with or who have held membership in a service organization.
  • Apply here.

John W. Gift Scholarship

  • Up to $2,000 award available.
  • Must have minimum 2.75 GPA.
  • Preference to those planning to study a business related career.
  • Apply here.

Kenny M. Ward III Scholarship

  • $1,000 award available.
  • Must have “C” average or higher GPA.
  • Must be planning to pursue a culinary arts degree after high school.
  • Two letters of recommendation from staff required.
  • Apply here.

Laurie and Gregory Beard Scholarship

  • Up to $4,000 award available.
  • Must be enrolling in the College of Business at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Apply here.

Peter J. Pasquel & Family Culinary Scholarship

  • $1,000 award available.
  • Must be nominated by culinary staff.
  • No online application

Urban Forestry Scholarship

  • $900 award available.
  • Must plan to attend four-year college/university.
  • Preference to those studying urban forestry or related field, but all major can apply.
  • Apply here.

$950 award available. This is a merit based scholarship.  Applications will be reviewed based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and response to essay questions.

$1,000 award available. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to major in teaching but other majors may be considered.

Up to $3,750 award available. Must have a documented hearing impairment and have received services from MCA. For new applicants, two letters of recommendation are also required. Recipients may reapply each year after graduation. 

$1,000 award available. Must plan to major in STEM related field. Must have minimum 3.0 GPA and played in a sport for more than 2 years, including senior year.

$500 award available. Must have minimum 2.1 GPA. Preference given to those affiliated with or who have held membership in a service organization.

Up to $2,000 award available. Must have minimum 2.75 GPA. Preference to those planning to study a business related career.

$1,000 award available. Must have “C” average or higher GPA. Must be planning to pursue a culinary arts degree after high school. Two letters of recommendation from staff required. 

Up to $4,000 award available. Must be enrolling in the College of Business at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Peter J Pasquel & Family Culinary Scholarship

No online application. $1,000 award available. Must be nominated by culinary staff.

$900 award available. Must plan to attend four-year college/university. Preference to those studying urban forestry or related field, but all majors can apply.

Scholarships for Peoria High Seniors Only

Lieutenant Colonel Norman E. Emery (Ret) Scholarship

  • $1,000 awards available.
  • Must be enrolling in a 2- or 4-year college/accredited trades program OR plan on entering any branch of U.S. military service, including National Guard or Reserves.
  • One letter of recommendation from Peoria High staff required.
  • Apply here.

Randy Simmons Scholarship for Peoria High School

  • $1,000 award available.
  • The graduating senior must have a passion for fitness, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities.
  • This student must also have a passion for learning while pursuing a post-secondary degree.
  • The recipient will be a people person who brings energy and passion to everything they do while always putting others first.
  • Apply here.

$1,000 award available. Must be enrolling in a 2- or 4-year college/accredited trades program OR plan on entering any branch of US military service, including National Guard or Reserves. One letter of recommendation from Peoria High staff also required.

$1,000 award available. The graduating senior must have a passion for fitness, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities. This student must also have a passion for learning while pursuing a post-secondary degree. The recipient will be a people person who brings energy and passion to everything they do while always putting others first.

Scholarships for Richwoods Seniors Only

Diane Thannert Scholarship

  • $1,500 award available.
  • Must plan to attend a four-year college/university.
  • Must participated in a women’s athletic program for at least 2 years.
  • Apply here.

Jamie Epstein Memorial Scholarship

  • $2,500 award available.
  • Must be nominated by a Richwoods teacher.
  • No online application

Jim Fogelmark Memorial RHS Speech Team Scholarship

  • $750 award available.
  • Must have participated on the Richwoods Speech Team for at least one year.
  • Apply here.

Lynn Pastucha Scholarship

  • $1,500 award available.
  • Must be nominated by a Richwoods athletic coach. 
  • Must have played women’s varsity basketball at least one year.
  • Must be in top 30% of class.
  • No online application

Randy Simmons Scholarship for Richwoods High School

  • $1,000 award available.
  • The graduating senior must have a passion for fitness, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities.
  • This student must also have a passion for learning while pursuing a post-secondary degree.
  • The recipient will be a people person who brings energy and passion to everything they do while always putting others first.
  • Apply here.

Richwoods Class of 1971 Giving Back Scholarship

  • $2,500 award available.
  • Must have at least 2.5 GPA.
  • Must be involved in extracurricular activities.
  • Two letters of recommendation are required.
  • Apply here.

Rick Snarr Enduring Spirit Scholarship

  • Two $2,000 awards available.
  • Must be nominated by a Richwoods athletic coach.
  • Must have participated in a varsity level sport for at least 1 year.
  • Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
  • No online application

Wayne Macomber Scholarship

  • $850 award available.
  • Must have participated in soccer or choral music in high school for one year.
  • Apply here.

Zeb Gardner Memorial Scholarship

  • $500 award available.
  • Must be nominated by Richwoods women’s golf coach.
  • No online application

Diane Thannert Scholarship

Up to $1,500 award available. Must plan to attend four-year college/university. Must have participated in a women’s athletic program for at least 2 years. 

No online application. $2,500 award available. Must be nominated by a Richwoods teacher to receive the application. 

Jim Fogelmark Memorial RHS Speech Team Scholarship

$750 award available.  Must have participated on the Richwoods Speech Team for at least one year.

Lynn Pastucha Scholarship

No online application. $1,500 award available. Must be nominated by a Richwoods athletic coach. Must have played women’s varsity basketball at least 1 year and be in top 30% of class.

Randy Simmons Scholarship for Richwoods High School

$1,000 award available. The graduating senior must have a passion for fitness, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities. This student must also have a passion for learning while pursuing a post-secondary degree. The recipient will be a people person who brings energy and passion to everything they do while always putting others first.

$2,500 award available. Must have at least 2.5 GPA. Must be involved in extracurricular activities. 2 letters of recommendation are required.

No online application. Two $2,000 awards available. Must be nominated by a Richwoods athletic coach. Must have participated in a varsity level sport for at least 1 year and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Wayne Macomber Scholarship

$850 award available. Must have participated in soccer or choral music in high school for one year.

Zeb Gardner Memorial Scholarship

No online application. $500 award available. Must be nominated by Richwoods women’s golf coach.

Scholarships for Manual Seniors Only

Chase White Memorial Scholarship

  • $1,000 award available.
  • Applicants should be able to describe how their volunteerism and service allowed them to make a difference in their community.
  • Apply here.

Coach Van Honorary Scholarship

  • $1,000 award available.
  • Must have at least 2.3 GPA.
  • Must be involved in an extracurricular activity for 1 year.
  • Apply here.

Genevieve Kroepel Cahail Award

  • $3,500 award available.
  • Must be nominated by a Manual teacher.
  • Must plan to study physics or other science related field.
  • No online application

Manual High School/Eureka College Scholarship

  • $1,500 award available.
  • Must plan to attend Eureka College.
  • Apply here.

Nevada Buckley Manion Scholarship

  • Up to $5,600 available.
  • Must plan to attend a four-year college/university.
  • Apply here.

Randy Simmons Scholarship for Manual High School

  • $1,000 award available.
  • The graduating senior must have a passion for fitness, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities.
  • This student must also have a passion for learning while pursuing a post-secondary degree.
  • The recipient will be a people person who brings energy and passion to everything they do while always putting others first.
  • Apply here.

$1,000 award available. Applicants should be able to describe how their volunteerism and service allowed them to make a difference in their community.

$1,000 award available. Must have at least 2.3 GPA. Must be involved in an extracurricular activity for 1 year.

Genevieve Kroepel Cahail Award

No online application. $3,500 award available. Must be nominated by a Manual teacher. Must plan to study physics or other science related field.

$1,500 award available. Must plan to attend Eureka College.

Up to $5,600 available. Must plan to attend a four-year college/university. 

$1,000 award available. The graduating senior must have a passion for fitness, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities. This student must also have a passion for learning while pursuing a post-secondary degree. The recipient will be a people person who brings energy and passion to everything they do while always putting others first.