Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

Before You Begin Your Friends of MCC Scholarship Application

  • You only have to apply for scholarships once a semester - the application tool will auto-match you to all scholarships for which you're qualified.
  • If you're interested in an athletic award, use our athletics contact form to submit your information to coaches. Coaches may offer tuition-only athletic awards based on talent and program needs.
  • Students do not receive funds directly; all funds awarded go directly to the Student Accounts Office and are applied to the student's account.
  • Scholarships do not apply to summer semesters!
  • Scholarship amounts will vary by semester.
  • Some scholarships will require additional information and/or an additional essay.
  • Only high school seniors and first-semester MCC students can submit their high school GPA where applicable.
    • Returning MCC students must submit their cumulative MCC GPA.
    • Transfer students must submit their college transcripts.
  • MCC reserves the right to revoke/remove scholarship postings.
  • How to Log In to the Scholarship Application Site
    • Log in using your MCC email address and password. On the main dashboard, you’ll find important information about your application status and additional instructions.
    • Forgot your password? Contact the IT Help Desk at (815) 455-8457.
  • Completing Your General Application
    • The system will automatically save your answers as you go. You may come back to questions and update them at any time until the scholarship application deadline.
    • If you are unable to submit your general application, go back and check if any sections of the application are incomplete. You will not be able to submit your application until this is resolved.
    • Select Dashboard to view all scholarships. Each will list “Applied,” “Not Qualified,” or “Complete Follow-Up.”
  • Requesting Reference Letters
    • Reference letters can only be submitted after you’ve submitted your general application.
    • If a scholarship requires a recommendation letter, you will be prompted to add the reference’s name and email; a pre-written message is ready for you to send through the application tool.
      Please note: You should also contact your references directly to ask for the letter and let them know to expect an email from the Friends of MCC Foundation.
    • Letters only need to be requested once. An individual letter will support reference requirements for all other scholarships.
  • Submitting A Stand Out Application
    • Answer all of the questions. You will be unable to submit your application until you have responded to each section.
    • Put some thought into your essay - you want to stand out from the crowd! Scholarship reviewers will be expecting college-level work.
    • Ask someone to proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. A poorly written essay reduces your chance to win a scholarship.
    • Ask an instructor to review your essay and/or application or stop by the Sage Learning Center (in the library, A212L) for help—you don't need an appointment, and it's free.
    • Make sure to provide the names and email addresses for the requested letters of recommendation. Use an employer, a teacher, or a coach who knows you and will be proud to write a letter on your behalf.

For more information, call (815) 455-8721 or visit the Friends of MCC Foundation in A209.