Published on April 22, 2026 11:45 am
Last Updated on April 22, 2026 11:45 am
CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation is offering college and occupational training scholarships for low-income individuals with high academic potential.
The Community Services Block Grant scholarship supplements the cost of tuition, fees, and program-specific supplies to offset the students’ needs. An applicant can plan to attend college, university, or a trade school; in-state or out-of-state; remote, on-ground, or hybrid; and be a part-time or full-time student. This scholarship is funded and designed in cooperation with the State
of Illinois’ Office of Community Assistance at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Applicants are required to provide proof of County (Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie, Shelby) residency, gross household income for the past 30 days, and information about members living in the household. Income for the household must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Applicants must also include school transcript. The scholarship awards will vary from $1,000 to $5,000.
Completed applications and support documents must be received by 4:00 PM on June 15, 2026. Applications are available at the CEFS Outreach Office and CEFS website.
30-DAY INCOME GUIDELINES FOR ELIGIBILITY (Based on 200% of Poverty)
Family Size: 1-$2,660, 2-$3,607, 3-$4,553, 4-$5,500, 5-$6,447, 6-$7,393, 7-$8,340, 8-$9,287. For family units with more than 8 members, add $946.00 for each additional member.
For further information contact Charity Griggs, Outreach Program Director, 217-342-2193 x3451 or cgriggs@cefseoc.org.
