Student Scholarships
Online Applications Available Starting November 1st
How to Apply
- Review the available scholarships below to find any that match your school, interests and goals.
- New this year! Complete our Common Application to enter your basic information just once. This information will automatically fill in when you apply for individual scholarships, making the application process quicker and easier.
- After completing the Common Application, you must still submit a separate application for each scholarship you’d like to be considered for. Some scholarships require additional questions, essays, or supporting documents. You can apply for as many scholarships as you’re eligible for.
- Double check your application to make sure any required items such as transcripts or recommendation letters are attached. Proofread your essay responses as well.
- The application period closes at 11:59 PM on February 14th, 2027. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
- Recipients are notified in the spring and recognized during school award ceremonies or otherwise noted PPSF events.
If you have any questions, please contact Jen Adler at jennifer.adler@psd150.org.
Common Application - Complete This First
This application collects basic information and automatically prefills it into the individual scholarship applications. You will still need to submit applications for each individual scholarship you are interested in. The common application only needs to be submitted once.
Scholarships for All PPS High School Seniors
New This Year! - Cultivate Power Solar Scholarship
Two $5,000 awards available. Supports PPS seniors residing in Peoria County who plan to pursue STEM, agricultural, or environmental fields. Requires a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Edward N. Woodruff Scholarship
$1,000 award available. One of PPS Foundation’s oldest scholarships, established in 1956 in honor of former Peoria Mayor Edward Woodruff. Open to all PPS seniors.
Glen Barton Scholarship
Three $3,500 awards available. Created to honor former Caterpillar executive and education advocate Glen Barton. For PPS seniors who attended Quest Charter for at least one year. Requires at least a 2.75 GPA and one year of extracurricular involvement.
H.E.A.R. Scholarship
$4,200 award available. Supports hearing-impaired students in Peoria Public Schools. Must have documented hearing services that were received in Central Illinois. Awarded based on character and potential for success.
John Dismuke Scholarship
$1,000 award available. Established to honor Richwoods athlete and Caterpillar engineer John L. Dismuke Jr. Requires at least a 3.0 GPA, 2 years in sports, and planning to pursue a STEM major.
John K. Garrett Scholarship
$600 award available. Established to honor PPS Superintendent John Garrett. Awarded to students active in community service.
John W. Gift Scholarship
$2,400 award available. Honors prominent Peoria businessman John Gift. Open to all majors, with preference for business-related fields.
Kenny Ward III Scholarship
$500 award available. Created in memory of 2016 Peoria High graduate Kenny Ward, a culinary student at Sullivan University. Open to PPS Culinary Arts students pursuing the field.
Laurie & Gregory Beard Scholarship
$4,000 award available. Provided by Parallaxes Capital to support a PPS graduate attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Peter J. Pasquel & Family Culinary Scholarship
$1,000 award available. Established in 2023 to honor Peter Pasquel’s lifelong career in the food service industry. Requires at least a 3.0 GPA and to be pursuing a culinary or food service related degree.
No online application – recipient chosen by school staff
New This Year! - Phyllis J. Young Leadership Award Scholarship
$1,000 award available. Honors educator Phyllis J. Young by
recognizing PPS seniors who demonstrate leadership, perseverance, service to others, and potential for future success. No minimum GPA required.
New This Year! - Sheila Jo Future Math Teacher Scholarship
$5,000 award available. Honors Sheila’s passion for mathematics education and supports PPS seniors interested in becoming math teachers.
Urban Forestry Scholarship
$975 award available. Created by professional urban foresters to promote environmental careers. Preference for forestry, horticulture, or related studies.
Scholarships for Manual Seniors Only
Coach Van Honorary Scholarship
$1,000 award available. Honors Manual’s legendary Coach Van Scyoc, who inspired students through basketball and life lessons in hard work, compassion, and excellence. Requires at least a 2.3 GPA, extracurriculars, and strong ethics. Financial need is considered.
Genevieve Kroepel Cahail Scholarship
$3,900 award available. Named for long-time Manual educators Gene and Robert Cahail. Recognizes students excelling in physics and showing a passion for science.
No online application – recipient chosen by school staff
Manual / Eureka College Scholarship
$1,600 award available. Supports Manual seniors enrolling at Eureka College who have strong academic performance, service, leadership, and character.
Nevada Buckley Manion Scholarship
$6,000 award available (may be divided into multiple awards). Established by Nevada Manion to assist Manual graduates pursuing four-year degrees. Recipients are chosen based on essay strength and academic merit.
Scholarships for Peoria High Seniors Only
Lt. Col. Norman E. Emery (Ret.) Scholarship
$1,000 award available. Created in memory of decorated Army veteran and Peoria High alum Norman Emery. Honors a senior showing service, leadership, and resilience.
Scholarships for Richwoods Seniors Only
Diane Thannert Scholarship
Up to $3,000 award available. Created by Diane Thannert and her daughter to honor female athletes at Richwoods who excel in academics and demonstrate sportsmanship. Must have at least 2 years in athletics.
Jamie Epstein Scholarship
$3,000 award available. In memory of Richwoods graduate Jamie Epstein, who wasknown for her energy and teamwork across multiple activities.
No online application, initially – must be nominated by school staff and then if nominated, complete online application.
Jim Fogelmark RHS Speech Team Scholarship
$1,000 award available. In memory of longtime PPS teacher Jim Fogelmark, who founded the Richwoods Speech Tournament and coached for many years. Must be a Richwoods student in good standing who has participated on the Speech Team for at least 1 year.
New This Year! - The Laura Cullinan Leadership and Service Award Scholarship
$2,000 award available. Honors Laura’s dedication to PPS and community service. Open to Richwoods seniors with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and three years of service involvement.
Lynn Pastucha Scholarship
$1,600 award available. Recognizes Richwoods basketball player Lynn Pastucha’s passion and leadership. Given to a student showing similar dedication.
No online application – recipient chosen by school staff
Richwoods Class of 1971 Giving Back Scholarship
$3,100 award available. Established by alumni to support current students continuing the spirit of giving back. Requires at least a 2.5 GPA, extracurricular involvement, and 2 recommendation letters.
Rick Snarr Enduring Spirit Scholarship
New this year: Students can apply directly online without a coach nomination. Two $5,000 awards available (one male & female recipient). Celebrates Richwoods teacher and coach Rick Snarr’s lifelong commitment to teamwork and service. Requires at least a 2.5 GPA and one letter of recommendation from a sports coach.
Wayne Macomber Scholarship
$900 award available. Named for the longtime Madrigals director and soccer coach who shaped decades of Richwoods students. Awarded to students involved in choir or soccer.
Zeb Gardner Memorial Scholarship
$800 award available. Honors the memory of golf supporter and grandparent Zeb Gardner. Awarded to a Girls Golf Team member showing leadership and character.
No online application – recipient chosen by school staff