Prospective and returning Rend Lake College students can now apply for scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year by completing the RLC Foundation scholarship application. The application applies students for approximately 275 scholarships.

Interested students can complete the application online at www.rlc.edu/foundation. The single-page form takes only minutes to complete. Students must also submit their most recent transcript and one letter of recommendation to be considered.

Liz Jennings, RLC Foundation Assistant Director and Scholarship Coordinator, said the application has a new save feature this year, which allows students to work on the scholarship application, save their work, and return to complete it at a later time.

“The save option is a great way for students to work on their scholarship application and come back to review it before submission, giving them a chance to better prepare their responses,” said Jennings. “Students should also keep in mind that submitting the application isn’t completely done online. They also need to send us their transcripts and letter of recommendation after hitting the ‘submit’ button.”

In addition to the application, students are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To complete the 2018-19 FAFSA, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov or contact RLC’s Financial Aid Office at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1385 for more information.

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the criteria set forth by each scholarship. High school students will be informed of their awards at their high school honors nights, with letters being sent out after Tuesday, May 1. Applications will be accepted after the Feb. 28 priority date; however, preference will be given to students who complete the application beforehand.

Every year, approximately $200,000 is awarded to RLC students through Foundation scholarships. These 275 scholarships range from $500 to $1,500 annually and are made possible by generous, local businesses and individuals.

The RLC Foundation is actively working to grow the number of scholarships offered to students, said CEO Kay Zibby-Damron.

“With the rising cost of education and the ongoing uncertainty of state funding, there is a tremendous need for increased private support to help our students,” Zibby-Damron said. “I welcome an opportunity to talk with area businesses and individuals about establishing a scholarship through the RLC Foundation. Creating a scholarship is one investment that will definitely yield positive results.”

For more information about the scholarship application or establishing a new scholarship, contact the RLC Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214 or foundation@rlc.edu.