Illinois’s Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley administers scholarships for local students and says the 2027–28 application will become available this fall, with exact dates to be announced. Its funds are created by donors with specific criteria, and the program reports more than $33.7 million awarded since 1948. Wait for the new calendar rather than treating prior-cycle dates as current.
General eligibility includes high-school completion—public, private, parochial, online, homeschool, or GED—full-time study at an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution, and a permanent address within its service area. The official map defines Fox River communities; do not mistake the foundation’s Aurora location for statewide eligibility. Individual funds list some exceptions.
The foundation requests transcripts, SAT or ACT scores if available, a processed FAFSA Student Aid Index if available, and email addresses for recommenders. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. The site says applicants who omit the SAI may be considered for about 20% of awards, while providing it allows consideration across the portfolio. This is not a guarantee of funding; it describes the breadth of eligibility review.
The general application provides a shared process, but some awards may require supplemental information and a student may receive only one program scholarship in a given year. The most common award amount listed is $1,000 for one year, though amounts depend on the fund. Decisions are emailed in early May, and awards may be renewable or one-time. Check each profile before building a tuition budget.
Confirm the academic year, local deadline and time, who must submit each document, and whether supplemental questions remain. Keep confirmations and recheck the portal after submitting. Ask the school’s financial-aid office how FAFSA, outside awards, and payments coordinate.
Read the aid-program profile and the FAFSA guide; confirm with the institution how funding is coordinated.
Scholarship Program — Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
Scholarship fund profiles — Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
FAFSA application — Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education.
Information checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Funding, criteria, and dates can change; confirm the linked cycle rules before submitting documents and ask the school how the award coordinates with other aid.
Confirm eligibility and the 2027 cycle deadline on the official portal before applying.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Scholarship Program
Illinois’s Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley administers scholarships for local students and says the 2027–28 application will become available this fall, with exact dates to be announced. Its funds are created by donors with specific criteria, and the program reports more than $33.7 million awarded since 1948. Wait for the new calendar rather than treating prior-cycle dates as current. General eligibility includes high-school completion—public, private, parochial,
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.