Approximately half of the $1 million in scholarship funds provided by the College of Lake County’s foundation remained unused as there was a lack of student applications. The Waukegan Township offers several scholarships annually, including the Artis Yancey HBCU scholarships, which have not been awarded in the past two years due to insufficient applicants. Despite millions of dollars being allocated for scholarships in Lake County schools, a significant portion of it goes unclaimed.
High school seniors in Lake County are currently in the process of seeking financial assistance while awaiting college acceptance decisions. Waukegan Township Supervisor, Marc Jones, mentioned the availability of various scholarships, including the HBCU awards, which have had no applicants in the past two years. The scholarships are accessible to students participating in the HBCU tour or experience and subsequently enrolling in an HBCU school.
Rey Gonzalez, the director of financial aid at CLC, highlighted the underutilization of the \(1 million scholarship fund provided by the school’s foundation. Efforts are being made to simplify the financial aid application process to increase student participation. Counselors like Evonda Fulton from District 60 are actively assisting students in identifying and applying for suitable scholarships, with the Waukegan High School class of 2023 securing \)25.7 million in scholarships.
Organizations like Waukegan to College are aiding students in navigating the scholarship application process. Aaron Arnold, the executive director, emphasized the importance of financial aid counseling, especially for students facing financial constraints. The strategy of combining multiple scholarships to cover educational expenses is recommended, as demonstrated by the success of the class of 2023 in accumulating $10 million in scholarships.
Adriana Gonzalez, a board member of District 60 and the Waukegan Public Schools Foundation, shared her experience of leveraging scholarships to fund her education at Pomona College. She emphasized the significance of smaller scholarships in covering additional expenses like books. Superintendent John Price introduced the Warhawk-Lancer Scholarship, providing comprehensive support for students attending the College of Lake County.
The scholarship initiatives, including the Waukegan Strong scholarships and Park District scholarships, aim to support students pursuing higher education within the community. The application criteria and deadlines vary for each scholarship opportunity, encouraging community involvement and academic excellence. The deadline for most scholarships is May 31, with specific requirements such as residency, field of study, and essay submissions.