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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (2025) – The Gold Star
Mission (GSM) is proud to announce the opening of its 2026
Scholarship Program, continuing its mission to honor Illinois’
fallen military service members by supporting education and
community service among today’s students.
The application period opens November 1, 2025, and closes February
1, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be honored at the
organization’s annual Appreciation Dinner in March 2026.
Gold Star Mission scholarships may be used to subsidize the cost of
tuition, books, school fees, on-campus room and board, approved
educational tutoring, and other educational expenses deemed
appropriate by the student’s school and approved by the GSM
Scholarship Committee.
“Each scholarship we award carries the name and memory of a fallen
Illinois service member,” said Barry Tobias, President of Gold Star
Mission. “It’s our way of ensuring their sacrifice continues to
inspire selfless service and leadership in others.”
Eligibility and Application Details
Gold Star Mission is proud to offer scholarships to anyone with an
Illinois connection pursuing higher education — including
undergraduate degrees, certificates, and trades or technical
programs.
Applicants must meet one of the following
criteria:
Be a high school senior at the time of application.
Have a high school diploma or GED, or
Be currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or
certificate-granting institution (such as a vocational school).
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For the 2026 Scholarship Program,
applications will be accepted online only.
Interested students can begin their applications on or after
November 1, 2025, by clicking
here
and clicking the “Complete Online” button.
Honoring Service Through Education
Since its founding in 2017, Gold Star Mission has awarded $317,000
in scholarships honoring Illinois’ fallen heroes — each representing
a legacy of courage, service, and sacrifice. For the 2026 program
year, GSM will award up to 34 scholarships to students who embody
the spirit of selfless service in their communities.
“Our scholarship recipients remind us that the values our fallen
lived by — commitment, honor, and service to others — are still
alive today,” Tobias said.
About Gold Star Mission
Founded by Illinois National Guard members in 2017, Gold Star
Mission honors the sacrifice of more than 300 Illinois service
members killed since September 11, 2001. The organization carries
forward their legacy through educational scholarships, endurance
events such as the Gold Star 500 and General Logan 200, and
remembrance efforts like the Fallen Heroes History Project.
For more information or to apply, visit
https://goldstarmission.org. |
