Establishing a Scholarship

The gift of education is one of the greatest one can make. LLCC Foundation scholarships are made possible by supportive individuals, community businesses and organizations, as well as through the annual faculty and staff giving campaign.  Scholarships are a great way for you to honor a loved one, promote specific career fields, or simply fulfill a lifelong passion for helping others.  

There are two types of scholarships that you may establish:

Annual

This is a scholarship fund in which you contribute the award amount annually. Contributions can be added to the fund by you and/or others who may wish to contribute to the fund (i.e., family, friends, employers, etc.).

Endowed

This is a permanent and perpetual scholarship fund created with a gift or gifts totaling at least $10,000. The principal of the fund is invested to produce income, and scholarships are awarded using the net income.  You may build an endowment over a period of time. 

As a donor, you are entitled to several benefits:

• Name Your Scholarship - You may honor your loved ones or promote your business or organization by personally naming the scholarship.
• Determine Scholarship Criteria - This is where you set the goals and standards that students must meet.  Examples of criteria may include specific majors and career fields, grade point average, or specific county residencies.
• Meet Your Recipient - You will be invited to our annual Scholarship Reception to give you an opportunity to meet your recipient.  If you or your student cannot attend, we will sometimes be able to arrange another time for you to meet.

Both annual scholarships and scholarship endowments can be funded in many ways including cash, stocks and bequests.  Our scholarship program is flexible and varied enough to allow you to achieve your philanthropic goals.  The LLCC Foundation staff is happy to work with you to customize your scholarship and to discuss a wide variety of options regarding donations and gifts. 

To learn more about establishing a scholarship with the LLCC Foundation, please contact us at

217-786-2785 or via e-mail at LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Donor Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I pay for the scholarship? 

• You make payment to the LLCC Foundation and the gift is kept in a separate account.
• Endowed scholarship funds are invested and the net income of the fund will be used to pay the annual scholarship. 
• Scholarship payments can be made with a check or major credit card.  A donation of stock to the LLCC Foundation is another way to pay for the scholarship.  Gift planning in your will is a way to give to future LLCC students.

How much will the scholarship be worth? 

• Standard tuition and fees at LLCC are currently $132 per credit hour.  A full-time student takes a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester.  Some courses have a variable tuition rate in excess of the standard tuition rate.
• Based on a student taking 12 credit hours each semester, the annual cost for standard tuition and fees is $3,168.  This is a portion of the cost of attendance at LLCC.  This cost does not include books. Students may also incur other related educational expenses (transportation, supplies and miscellaneous living expenses).

Is the scholarship a one-year or two-year scholarship? 

• A one-year scholarship is awarded each academic year from the annual applicant pool.
• A two-year scholarship allows the recipient to continue the scholarship for a second year as long as the student meets all of the eligibility requirements. 

What costs will the scholarship cover? 

• The scholarship is first applied directly to the student’s tuition and fee expense and paid to LLCC. 
• Should you designate other expenses eligible, the student may use the scholarship at the LLCC Bookstore to purchase books.  Any remaining money will be issued to the student after they are attending classes.

How will the scholarship be disbursed? 

• The recipient will receive one half of the annual award each semester:  fall and spring.
• The recipient must maintain the minimum grade point average and complete the enrolled hours required each semester as stated in the established criteria to maintain the scholarship.
• Recipients who have a two-year scholarship may choose to use the scholarship for the summer and fall semester the second year.

Who will select the recipient? 

• The LLCC Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee selects recipients. 

How will I be notified of the recipient? 

• You will be sent a letter after your scholarship is awarded, which will include a thank you letter from the recipient. 
• Each year, the LLCC Foundation hosts a Scholarship Reception to give you an opportunity to meet your recipient.  If your recipient cannot attend, you will still have a chance to meet other recipients and hear their appreciation for scholarship support.

What type of publicity will the scholarship receive?

• With your permission, a press release to all area newspapers can be made announcing the establishment of the scholarship.  In addition, a news item can be published in the LLCC Foundation publication Circle of Friends.
• Press releases are made each year announcing LLCC Foundation scholarship recipients.
• The scholarship will be listed in the Scholarship Reception program and on the Foundation scholarship web page.