U-46 Educational Foundation

03/09/2026

03/08/2026

SENIORS - ARE YOU PLANNING ON ATTENDING ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

The Malik M. Brown Memorial Scholarship is offered in memory of Malik M. Brown, a South Elgin High School student-athlete, who passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Available to graduating seniors at all U-46 high schools, the scholarship will be awarded to one student with plans to attend Elgin Community College in the fall of 2026. To learn more and to apply: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
The deadline is March 31.

03/03/2026

THE ONLINE APPLICATION FOR 12 SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE U-46 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HAS CLOSED.

"Watch this space" for information about other scholarships available to U-46 graduating seniors. One is open to seniors at all five high schools: ELGIN BREAKFAST ROTARY CLUB G. MICHAEL GREENE SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship program was established to honor the life of Gene Michael Green, who began his teaching career with U-46 in 1978. A later career change made him a successful stock broker in the Elgin area, who made a difference in the community serving as president of the Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club. Eventually, his commitment to youth and his passion for education brought him back to U-46 in 2001. He was known in the classroom for adapting lesson plans to meet a variety of learning styles, and fostering a genuine mutual respect with his students. He was a math teacher at Kenyon Woods Middle School when his life was unexpectedly cut short in July 2012.

This $1,000 scholarship given in his memory is available for eligible graduating seniors from a U-46 high school who plan to pursue a degree in teaching or math.
Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
Deadline: March 30

03/01/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE FOR THESE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS!!

U-46 Seniors - On March 2, the applications for these scholarships are due:
- Superintendent's Scholarship
- Lisa Mercado Memorial Scholarship for Bilingual Students
- Douglas Hoeft Scholarship
- Gilbert I. Renner Scholarship
- EHS Maroons Leadership Scholarship
- David and Edith Cole Scholarship
- Dody Nesbit Scholarship
- Frances Turnquist Scholarship
- Elgin High School PTO Scholarship
- Carolyn Van Slyck Memorial Scholarship
- Dual Language Portfolio Certification Scholarship
- LEAD Academy Aspiring Leaders Scholarship (SHS)
Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships.
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship/
Deadline to apply is March 2.

02/27/2026

SCHOLARSHIPS FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Many of our community partners offer scholarships to U-46 seniors. Here are some links for more information:

-Youth Leadership Award & Scholarship – DEADLINE SOON
YWCA Elgin will present a $2,000 scholarship to one (1) high school Senior residing within the School District U-46 boundaries who demonstrates leadership characteristics and will be pursuing a higher education.
For information and to apply: www.ywcaelgin.org/youthscholarship
Deadline: March 5, 2026

-Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Elgin Economic Development Group Scholarships
Ten students will receive $1,000 scholarships. Eligibility: Resident of Elgin or South Elgin
For information and to apply: www.elginchamber.com/scholarship-application
Deadline: April 10, 2026

- Elgin Lions Club Foundation Memorial Scholarship
Four $1,500 scholarships for Elgin residents graduating from high school.
For information and to apply: elginlions.org/h-s-scholarships-2026
Deadline: April 20, 2026

02/25/2026

THE DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IS MONDAY!
U-46 Seniors - On March 2, the applications for these scholarships are due:
- Superintendent's Scholarship
- Lisa Mercado Memorial Scholarship for Bilingual Students
- Douglas Hoeft Scholarship
- Gilbert I. Renner Scholarship
- EHS Maroons Leadership Scholarship
- David and Edith Cole Scholarship
- Dody Nesbit Scholarship
- Frances Turnquist Scholarship
- Elgin High School PTO Scholarship
- Carolyn Van Slyck Memorial Scholarship
- Dual Language Portfolio Certification Scholarship
- LEAD Academy Aspiring Leaders Scholarship (SHS)

Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships.
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship/
Deadline to apply is March 2.

02/22/2026

DUAL LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIP

Ten students from each of the five high schools are invited to apply for this scholarship based on Dual Language Portfolio Certification criteria. Eligible seniors are identified by the Multi-Lingual Multi-Cultural Education Department. The vision is that students will demonstrate cultural competence and develop high levels of academic and language proficiency. Applicants will be scored on academic proficiency and financial need, as well as the cultural reflection essay that is part of the application process.

Up to three $1,000 scholarships are awarded per year, which may be used toward tuition at any 2-year or 4-year university or accredited trade school.
(Photo credit: School District U-46 – EHS 2025 Graduates)

Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship/
Deadline to apply is March 2.

02/21/2026

ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL PTO SCHOLARSHIPS

This spring, four graduating seniors from Elgin High School will receive $500 scholarships from the EHS PTO. Graduates planning to attend a 4-year or 2-year college or a trade school are eligible.

Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship/
Deadline to apply is March 2.

02/20/2026

DAVID AND EDITH COLE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Cole scholarship is available to Elgin High School seniors. David and Edith Cole were Elgin residents, EHS alumni, and life-long educators, dedicated to students and teaching. Having no direct heirs, they left equal portions of their estate to their church, the Anti-Cruelty Society, Sherman Hospital, and Elgin High School. The funds for EHS were used to create four $1,000 scholarships per year for seniors who will be attending college.

Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship
Deadline to apply is March 2.

02/18/2026

SHS LEAD ACADEMY ASPIRING LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is available to current seniors in the LEAD Academy at Streamwood High School. The $2,500 scholarship can be used at any 2-year or 4-year college/university. Application scoring is based on the student’s academic achievement, the persuasiveness and mechanics of the essay submission, and a teacher or staff recommendation.

Pictured are academy students at “Pitch Night” in 2024, an event similar to Shark Tank, where academy students “sell” their business idea to judges and an audience.

Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship/
Deadline to apply is March 2.

02/17/2026

FRANCES TURNQUIST SCHOLARSHIP

The Frances Turnquist Scholarship was established in 1988 to perpetuate the memory of Frances Schultz Turnquist, a member of the Elgin High School Class of 1942 and a longtime supporter of U-46 programs and teachers. Besides her volunteer work for the district, she was formally recognized for her many years of service as a Sunday School teacher for Holy Trinity Church in Elgin. Her husband Ralph was also a member of the Class of 1942.

In keeping with her appreciation for the value she placed on the work of educators, the scholarship was set up to benefit Elgin High School graduates going into education or a related field.
Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships.
Apply: district.u-46.org/scholarship/
Deadline to apply is March 2.