Illinois State Scholars rank in approximately the top ten percent
of the state’s high school seniors, this year representing 671 high
schools from across Illinois. Selection is based on SAT, ACT, or
Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or on class rank at the
end of the junior year. High school guidance counselors work with
ISAC to determine the winners.
“It is with great pride that we announce this year’s group of
Illinois State Scholars,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC Executive
Director. “In addition to congratulating our State Scholars for
their commitment and hard work, we also want to commend their
parents, teachers, coaches and mentors for helping these students
achieve their goals. It really does take a village. We wish all of
these scholars the best as they pursue their future education and
careers.”
Congratulatory letters from ISAC have been sent to honorees, and the
agency has provided personalized Certificates of Achievement to each
high school for distribution, often at school award ceremonies or
assemblies. ISAC also publishes a list of current Illinois State
Scholars on its website. While this recognition does not include a
monetary prize, Illinois State Scholars are encouraged to cite the
honor on applications for college admission and scholarships.
“We know that postsecondary education can not only improve
individual success and achievement, but can improve communities as
well—from decreasing crime rates to improving life expectancy,” said
Zarnikow. “Our State Scholars should be proud of all they have
achieved in their four years of high school, and we look forward to
seeing how their success can help change Illinois for the better.”
ISAC encourages students interested in attending college next
fall to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
as soon as possible after January 1st to determine eligibility for
federal and state aid, including Illinois’ need-based Monetary Award
Program (MAP) grant. A calendar of free financial aid and college
access events, including FAFSA completion workshops to assist
students and families with the form, is available on ISAC’s website,
www.ISAC.org. Students can visit the agency’s website for a wealth
of additional financial aid and college planning information and
tools, as well as information on how to access one-on-one assistance
and mentoring in the college-going process.
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Students from Lincoln
Community High School
Bailey, Naomi
Barker, Kevin
Bradley, Tara
Carroll, Ashlyn
Chapman, Elijah
Crawford, Trenton
Ebelherr, Payton
Fitzpatrick, Kyle
Halpin, Cameron
Harris, Katherine
Hasprey, Katlyn
Jones, Amanda
Morales, Sergio
Olson, Elizabeth
Oltmanns, Natalie
Pagel, Alison
Plummer, Jessica
Schleich, Steven
Thompson, Logan
Tibbs, Alexandria
Vancleve, Heather
Walters, Grace
[Illinois Student Assistance
Commission] About the
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
The mission of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is
to help make college accessible and affordable for students
throughout Illinois. ISAC provides comprehensive, objective, and
timely information on education and financial aid for students and
their families—giving them access to the tools they need to help
make the educational choices that are right for them. Then, through
the state’s flagship Monetary Award Program and other scholarship
and grant programs ISAC administers—totaling more than $380 million
in academic year 2014-15—ISAC can help students make those choices a
reality. www.isac.org
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