We encourage our seniors to learn about the available scholarships and apply for those that may be a good fit. Applications will be available beginning January 2018.
Your tax-deductible gift to any of our individual scholarship funds will further our mission and help more graduating seniors meet the high costs of post-secondary education.This is only a partial list of scholarships. We encourage students to seek out all available funding resources.
APPLAUSE! Performing Arts Scholarship
$1,000: 3.0+ GPA; Plans to major or minor in performing arts in college; participated in the performing arts at OPRFHS.
Ann P. Bekermeier Scholarship
$1,000: 2.0+ GPA, varsity track or basketball participant, financial need, attending college in Illinois.
Eric Brightfield Memorial Digital Media Scholarship
$1,500: For a student interested in pursing a degree in a digital media related field such as journalism, social media, graphic design or web design.
Michael A. Campbell Scholarship
$1,000: Renewable 4 years, 2 scholarships: Academic achievement and financial need.
Carbery Family Scholarship (available 2022)
$2,000: Renewable 4 years, 2.5+ GPA; Preference given to student who has participated in Elements of Reading Program, has applied to and plans to attend a historically-black college and/or is a first-generation to college student.
Dr. Gerald L. Clay Scholarship
1 year, $3,000 / $1,500 per semester: Renewable once: African American male; financial need.
Richard Daniel Orchestra Scholarship
$1,000: Must be a member of the OPRFHS Orchestra and play a string instrument; financial need; planning to major or minor in music or a related field.
Brian Davis Memorial Scholarship
$2,500; 1 female, 1 male. Must have taken an OPRFHS business education class and/or participated in the video/e-gaming club. Intends to pursue a career in technology, gaming and/or technology education.
Josh Davis Memorial Scholarship
$2,000: 3.0+ GPA; love of the environment, plans to pursue environmental studies or related field; financial need.
Catherine Deam Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: Minimum two years of demonstrated community service or involvement in a major community service project.
Don Deia "Heart of the Plate" Scholarship
$375: Renewable 4 years, softball team member; financial need.
Donohue History Scholarship
$1,000: Passion for history, high academic achievement.
Douglas Scholarship
$1,000: 3.0+ GPA in business courses.
Thomas D. Ferguson Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: 2.75+ GPA; financial need, letter of recommendation from a History Teacher.
Robert Gauger Memorial Scholarship
$1,500: 2.5+ GPA; course work in technology, physics or applied sciences; A letter of recommendation from a science or technology teacher.
Garden Club of OP/RF Scholarship
2 scholarships: $3,000 each; Merit based; planning to pursue studies in an environmental related field.
Gerald L. Greer Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: 1 male & 1 female: 3.0+ GPA, history student, preference given to students interested in teaching history.
Louise Hay Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: 3 females: Academic achievement in mathematics.
Ernest Hemingway Writer's Scholarship
$1,000: Awarded to an incoming senior at OPRFHS with intent to study journalism, creative writing or English. Writing Submission required.
Hotchkiss Memorial Scholarship
$1000: Renewable 4 years, 2 scholarships: Financial need; academic achievement and leadership.
Carl Krafft Memorial Art Scholarship
$2,000 each; 3 scholarships: pursuing fine arts study in college; participated in OPRFHS Art program.
PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS: Submission of a DIGITAL portfolio representing 10 to 20 examples of artwork showing evidence of competency in one or more of the visual arts disciplines. Submission of a personal essay explaining artistic accomplishments and/or art-related awards. Indicate the college/university you have chosen and state your future personal goals and professional aspirations. Recipients of the Visual Arts scholarships must endow one of their artworks to the Oak Park and River Forest High School art collection. The selection of this piece will be made by the high school art faculty.
Krafft Memorial Music Scholarship
$1,000: Pursuing fine arts in college, participated in OPRFHS music program.
Krafft Memorial Speech/Dance/TV Scholarship
$1,000: Pursuing fine arts in college, participated in OPRFHS Speech, Dance or TV program.
"LLKA" Scholarship in Memory of Andrew Cheeks
$2,500; Financial Need. GPA of 2.5+. Preference will be given to African American students. Must submit a letter of recommendation from a coach, peer or club leader about how the applicant represents Andrew's generous friendly, king nature.
Patrick Luby Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: 2 scholarships: Financial need; preference to those interested in teaching Spanish or other world language.
Mead Scholarship
$1,000: 3.0+ GPA: financial need.
Miller/Cooke/Wood Scholarship
$1,000: Honoring student in areas of drama, musical and technical theatre.
Monaco Music Scholarship
$2,000: Interest in pursuing musical studies in college, preference to a piano student; academic merit; financial need.
R.J. Mike Nielsen Scholarship
$1,000: Stage Crew member; excellence in technical theatre.
Offermann Scholarship for Excellence in English
$2,000: Planning to major or minor in English in college.
Gary F. Olson Memorial Scholarship
$1,500: 2.5-3.0 GPA: Financial need.
OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation Directors Scholarship
$1,000: Renewable 4 years, 2 scholarships: Financial need, academic achievement.
OPRFHS Retirees – ‘DOOPER’ Scholarship
$1,500; 2 Scholarships. Financial need; academic achievement.
OPUS: Alumni Association Scholarship
$1,000: Interest in pursuing a degree in the fine and performing arts.
Chris Colin Piecha Memorial Scholarship (Available 2023)
$1,000; Renewable 4 years. Student must have taken several OPRFHS Visual Arts courses and intends to pursue a Fine Arts major in college, or a major that falls under the umbrella of Fine Arts.
Quinn Swimming/Diving Scholarship
$1,000: 2 scholarships, 1 male, 1 female: 2+ year member OPRFHS Swim and Diving Team.
Terri Race Educational Technology Scholarship
$1,000: Interest in computer applications, technology; demonstrated community service.
Roberta L. Raymond Scholarship
$1,500: Renewable 4 years; 2.75+ GPA; Preference given to minority students; high financial need.
Schaffer Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: 2.0-3.0 GPA; financial need; academic achievement.
Dr. Alexander Schmidt Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: Outstanding Senior in English.
Brenda Schnede Grusecki Scholarship for Outstanding Student in English
$2,000; Renewable 4 years. Student possesses a love of literature and an academic record in English that provides evidence of both talent and achievement in writing and speaking. Student plans to major in English.
Seabury Foundation Scholarship
$2,000: Renewable 4 years, 2 males, 2 females: Shows initiative, leadership, academic achievement and financial need.
Carol Shields (Class of ’53) Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: Financial need, academic achievement.
SGS Model UN Scholarship
$1,000: Renewable 4 years. Must have been member of Model UN at OPRFHS for at least two years.
Spoken Word Club/Black Lives Matter Scholarship
$2,000; Renewable 4 years. The student must be African-American and have participated in a minimum of three Spoken Word Club showcases (not including the final showcase of the current year).
Ishma Stewart Memorial Scholarship
$1,000: 2.5+ GPA; Member of Spoken Word
Jack Tavolacci Memorial Scholarship
$1,500; A senior whose demonstrated legacy embodies the qualities of love, acceptance and inclusivity which were championed by Jack Tavolacci. Applicants should be seen as a friend to all in the Oak Park and River Forest High School community. Letter of Recommendation from a peer (preferred) or teacher, coach, community member which addresses the qualities noted above in the scholarship applicant.; GPA and financial need NOT a consideration.
Tony Trofimuk Scholarship
$1,000: Girls Varsity basketball letter recipient.
TNH-Stephen A. Henry Scholarship
$1,000: OPRFHS athlete, team manager or student trainer who has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship, leadership and team spirit.
Don and Mary Vogel Scholarship (available 2022)
$2,000: Renewable 4 years; Financial need, academic achievement, co-curricular involvement.
Georg Ann Zussman-Amato Memorial Scholarship
$5,000: 1 female: Pursuing science in college, financial need.
Additional scholarships can be found on the Oak Park and River Forest Community Foundation website at: oprfcf.org/for-students/college-scholarships
