Nationwide, communities are making a difference in students' lives.

The Fairbury Lions Club is very excited to be a part of the Dollars for Scholars national program. We have seen the trend towards less state aid to colleges result in tuition hikes for college students, not to mention the ever-rising costs of books, room and board and other cost of living expenses. The Fairbury Lions Club would like to help get as many dollars into the hands of local area college-bound students as possible. Affiliating with Dollars for Scholars is an excellent way for us to accomplish this goal.

  What is Dollars for Scholars?

Dollars for Scholars is a national network of community-based, volunteer-operated scholarship foundations in cities, towns and neighborhoods throughout the United States.

Last year, Dollars for Scholars chapters raised more than $58.3 million, awarded nearly $29 million in scholarships to more than 35,000 students, and invested the remainder primarily in endowment funds for future scholarships.

Here in the Prairie Central area, the Fairbury Lions Club has formed a Dollars for Scholars chapter. Through volunteering and fundraising, and with the affiliation of other Prairie Central-based scholarships offered, we hope to help increase the awards given to Prairie Central students for their college education.

  What are the benefits of being affiliated with the Dollars for Scholars?

The biggest benefit to the students is that we now have access to the Dollars for Scholars' Collegiate Partners Program. These are about 450 colleges, universities and postsecondary schools across the United States that agree not to reduce their grant aid when Dollars for Scholars scholarships come to their campuses. Some of these institutions also match Dollars for Scholars awards, meaning that a $500 scholarship award could turn into $1000 at some colleges!

  Local Participating Scholarships

Fairbury Lions Club Dollars for Scholars

Our chapter offers a yearly scholarship to college-bound individuals in our Prairie Central area. Please see your school guidance counselor to apply, or print our PDF-format application. To apply for our 2009 awards, please be aware that the deadline is March 2, 2009, at noon. Return to your guidance counselor by then; or, if you are out of high school and using the PDF form, you may mail it to: Dollars for Scholars Application, ATTN: Eli, PO Box 181, Fairbury, IL 61739; or any Lion's Club officer. You may contact any Lion's Club member to find out who the officers are; or, if you don't know any, please use our online contact form - be sure to include a valid telephone number so that we can reach you right away with drop-off information.

Diane Slagel Mueller Memorial Fund Scholarship

Established locally in memory of Diane, offered to college-bound individuals who attend(ed) Prairie Central High School who will be, or are, majoring in Special Education or Early Childhood Education.

After graduating from college, Diane was a Special Education teacher at Saunemin Grade School, and was excited to be able to work with young kids, especially those with special needs. Diane's family hopes this scholarship keeps her spirit alive by helping others help children.

To apply, contact the guidance counselor at Prairie Central High School.

  Other Scholarships Available

For a listing of open scholarships on the Dollars for Scholars website, http://www.scholarshipamerica.org/students/scholarships.php.