Student Scholarship FAQs
Who is eligible to apply?
Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that were defined by the donor when the fund was established. Please read through the specific criteria in each of the scholarship listings to see if you are eligible.
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?
The scholarships are for any student, regardless of citizenship or documentation status, unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria. We do not collect any citizenship or documentation paperwork and applicant information will only be reviewed by the Quad Cities Community Foundation Staff and Scholarship Committee.
How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship?
There is no charge to apply.
Are the scholarships awarded sufficient to pay the cost of my college education?
No. These scholarships are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through the Quad Cities Community Foundation, you should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans and work-study awards. A complete financial package can be put together by your college financial aid office and may include a portion of each of the above types of financial aid.
If I am awarded a scholarship, how much will I get?
Scholarships offer varying award amounts, which range from $500 to $11,000 annually, depending on the size of the particular fund, the number of qualified applicants, and the wishes of the donors. About half are one-time awards and half are renewable, as long as the recipient continues to meet the scholarship criteria.
May I be awarded more than one scholarship?
Yes, you can apply to all the scholarships for which you are eligible and can be selected as a recipient for any or all.
How do I apply?
You may browse the scholarship listing on our website for information on the eligibility, criteria and preferences of each scholarship fund. Applications become available online on November 1 each year. Before filling out an application, you'll need to create an account in our online scholarships system (click here to create an account). By completing a universal scholarship application, students will answer a series of questions and the system will automatically transfer those questions and responses into all the scholarship applications for which the student is eligible.
Before filling out an application, be sure to have the following information on hand
High School and/or College Transcripts.
Essay: Topic of essay varies with each scholarship.
Letters of recommendation. The Quad City Regional Auto Show scholarship requires two recommendation letters. All other scholarships require one recommendation letter and students may opt to submit a second letter.
In order to be considered for need-based scholarships, students must upload a copy of the FAFSA Submission Summary indicating your SAI (Student Aid Index). The SAI will be sent to you after you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), which is available at FAFSA.ed.gov. Please allow enough time to complete the FAFSA as the SAI may take up to a week to generate. It is encouraged that you complete the FAFSA well before the February 15th deadline to ensure that you can upload it to your application.
Review the scholarship criteria for any additional materials you may need to submit.
Can I send in my documentation separately?
No. All documentation must be included when you submit your online scholarship application.
How do I attach letters of recommendation to my online scholarship application?
Each question in the application requesting a recommendation letter contains and upload button. You can gather your letters and attach them by using this upload button.
Do you accept applications after the deadline?
No.
Do I need to pay scholarship money back?
No. These are charitable grants that do not need to be paid back.
How are the scholarship decisions made?
A panel of community volunteers appointed by the Quad Cities Community Foundation's Board will meet after the deadline to review all applications and select recipients based on the criteria established by the donors. On average, over 1000 students apply each year and we award to about 60 students from the scholarship funds.
How will my application be evaluated?
Depending on the scholarship criteria, the committee may consider the applicants' academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, work experience, community involvement, financial need, and recommendations about leadership and character.
If I am awarded a scholarship, do I get the check?
No. To ensure your check is credited to your student account, scholarship award checks are sent directly to the institution.
What can my scholarship be used for?
The scholarships are for any educational expenses to pursue undergraduate studies: tuition and fees, books, and room and board, unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria. Scholarship funds may only be paid to an organization incorporated in the United States. Scholarship recipients planning to study abroad are eligible to receive scholarship payments as long as the scholarship is being paid to a U.S-based institution. Scholarship recipients are not eligible to receive scholarship payments if they enroll directly in a non U.S.-based institution because scholarship funds cannot be paid to a foreign entity.
If I am awarded a scholarship, what are my responsibilities?
First, once scholarship recipients have made their decision on where to attend school, they must complete the follow up form assigned to them in the online application system by June 15th. Scholarship recipients must continue to abide by all the scholarship criteria during the period of time covered by their scholarship, barring illness or emergency. It is requested that recipients keep the Community Foundation updated on their status and achievements to pass on to the donors who established the fund.
When will I be notified?
All applicants will be notified by the last week of April via email.
I received a scholarship, but why is only half of the award showing up in my financial aid package?
We mail the entire scholarship payment to the school of your choice in July and August each year, and we instruct the schools to equally distribute the scholarship over the entire academic year. If your school has a traditional 2 semester schedule, this means half of your scholarship will go to your fall semester tuition and half will go to your spring semester tuition. If the school has a trimester/ 3 term schedule, the scholarship will be divided in thirds, and if the school has a quarter/ 4 term schedule, the scholarship will be divided in quarters. Please contact your school’s financial aid office if you have questions how the scholarship is being divided up.
How do I contact the Community Foundation if I have additional questions?
Call 563-326-2840 or email Scholarships@QCCommunityFoundation.org.