Information about
Student Scholarships
Whether you’re a new or returning student—full-time or part-time—scholarships can help reduce the cost of tuition and fees. Awards are based on factors such as academic achievement, financial need, and field of study, helping students stay focused on their education.
Get answers to frequently-asked questions or download 2025-26 BHC East Scholarship brochure.
Applying for scholarships shouldn’t be stressful. We’re here to make it as easy as possible! Whether you’re just getting started or already have questions, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.
Check out our FAQs and get answers to the most common questions about eligibility, deadlines, required documents, and how scholarship awards are applied.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just reach out to us. We’re always happy to help you on your scholarship journey!
Applying for scholarships shouldn’t be stressful. We’re here to make it as easy as possible! Whether you’re just getting started or already have questions, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.
Check out our FAQs and get answers to the most common questions about eligibility, deadlines, required documents, and how scholarship awards are applied.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just reach out to us. We’re always happy to help you on your scholarship journey!
Listed in alphabetical order. Updated: January 2026 *
Awarded to a full-time student who has completed an approved GED® program in Henry or Stark counties. Pays toward tuition only. Must maintain a “C” average and show financial need.
Awarded to a full-time student majoring in an agriculture program. Student must show financial need and have a cumulative GPA of “C” or higher.
Award preference given to direct descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Fremont & Clara Bates. Preference also given to students majoring in agronomy, horticulture or biology (botany). Pays toward tuition, fees and books. Available to students receiving no other scholarships.
Awarded to full-time students with good academic standing.
Established by the Black Hawk College East Foundation. Awarded annually to a full-time student with good academic standing. Must show financial need.
(Formerly Manufacturing Skills Scholarship) Must be enrolled in a welding program at the East Campus. Must have financial need.
Awarded to a full-time transfer student with preference given to a major in biology, botany, horticulture, science education, any medical field, veterinary technology and pre-veterinary.
Awarded to a full-time transfer student with preference given to an English, journalism or communication major. Must be a graduate of a high school within the Black Hawk College district with a “B” or higher GPA. Must show financial need.
Awarded to a full-time student in good academic standing. Preference given to student majoring in the auto mechanics program or the ag mechanics program.
Established in memory of Ron and Theresa Brown. Given annually to a full-time student who has demonstrated academic ability, financial need and involvement in extracurricular activities. Preference given to one female student from Neponset and one male student from the La Fayette/ROWVA area.
Awarded to four incoming freshmen and four sophomores. Must be majoring in agriculture-focused or ag-related STEM undergraduate program. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the U.S. or in the U.S. lawfully on a non-temporary basis. Must demonstrate academic aptitude in their coursework. Must exhibit leadership qualities through BHC, community or ag industry involvement. Priority given to students demonstrating an interest in agriculture-based cooperatives. Essay required.
Scholarship established in memory of Darlene Collinson. Awarded to a full-time student who graduated from a high school in the Black Hawk College district. The student must show financial need and be in good academic standing.
As an agricultural lender serving 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Compeer Financial sees the need for the next generation of talented, skilled agricultural workers. Qualified applicants should reside within Compeer’s 144-county territory and study agriculture.
Established by his loving family, the Mike Cosgray Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an Indiana high school student studying agronomy, animal science or horticulture. The recipient should have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA with financial need.
Established in 2011 by beloved family and friends, the Barbara J. Curran Golby Memorial Healthcare Scholarship provides financial support to students pursuing a Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate at the Black Hawk College East Campus. Barbara taught the CNA course at BHC for 10 years and was a dedicated nurse for 50 years. Preference for this scholarship is a CNA student, but applicants pursuing a nursing degree will also be considered. Preference is also given to applicants from Neponset, IL; single parents; and/or those who demonstrate financial need.
Established by Sharon Deahl in loving memory of her late husband and foundation board member, Chuck Deahl. This endowed scholarship is to assist students who have graduated from a high school within the Black Hawk College district. Recipients must maintain a “C” or higher GPA with intent to pursue a four-year degree at either the University of Illinois or Bradley University. Demonstrated financial need is preferred. This scholarship covers tuition, fees, books and living expenses.
Established in honor of Dr. Art DeCabooter, provost and vice president of the East Campus from 1971-78. Awarded to a student pursuing a liberal arts and sciences degree with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Recipient must attend the East Campus.
Awarded to students who attended high school in and who are current residents of Henry or Stark counties. Must be enrolled in automotive technology, office careers technology or computer technology program. Pays toward tuition, fees and books.
Established in memory of C. Scott “Doc” Dickinson, DVM. Awarded to a full-time student in the Veterinary Technology Program at East Campus. Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher preferred.
Established by Joan Eastlund, professor emerita of political science. Full- and part-time East Campus students eligible. Student must have a minimum 2.0 GPA. Preference given to students with financial need.
Established in memory of Robert and Bernice Eastman. Given annually to full-time students of excellent academic standing in a transfer program.
Established in honor of Carl O. Erickson. Pays toward tuition, fees and books. Award given annually to a full-time student with a “C+” or higher GPA. Preference given to a nursing major.
Awarded to a student showing financial need, is in good academic standing, is a full-time student, and is majoring in social work or education.
The Roy L. Erickson Memorial Scholarship fund will be awarded to a full-time student who shows financial need, is in good academic standing and is majoring in Agriculture.
Established by the Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council in honor of Dr. Gene Gardner, former BHC President. Awarded to a welding or skilled trades student with a preferred 2.5 GPA or higher.
Awarded to students who reside in Mercer County with preference for STEM or agricultural courses of study. Student must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Academic performance and financial need are considerations.
Established in honor of Beatrice Haines. Scholarship to be awarded to a full-time student who graduated from a high school in the Black Hawk College district. The student must show financial need and be in good academic standing.
Established in memory of John L. Haines Jr. Awarded to a full-time East Campus student. Must be a graduate of Galva High School in good academic standing. Must show financial need.
Must be a resident of Henry County. Must major in business or office careers technology. Must be in good academic standing and show financial need.
Awarded to students majoring in an agriculture field, who graduated from high school in Henry or Stark counties. The recipient must also currently reside in either county and plan to pursue a career in farming or agribusiness.
Awarded to a full-time student from Wethersfield High School or Stark County High School majoring in crop farming. Must have a “C+” or higher GPA. Pays toward tuition, fees, books and living expenses.
Awarded to a full-time student majoring in agriculture. First preference is to award a student from Whiteside County and second preference is to award a student from Indiana.
Awarded to a full-time returning female student age 25 or older. Preference given to a high school graduate from the Kewanee area.
Must be a graduate of Kewanee or Wethersfield high schools. Must be a freshman student planning to continue for a second year at the East Campus. Must be in good academic standing and show financial need. Preference is given to past Key Club members.
Must be a graduate of Kewanee or Wethersfield high schools. Must be a freshman student planning to continue for a second year at the East Campus. Must be in good academic standing and show financial need.
Established in memory of Debbie Kitterman. Given annually to a graduate of Galva High School. Preference given to students with financial need who are not receiving any grants.
Awarded in memory of Dave Lapan. Formerly awarded to athletes on the East Campus. Changed in 2016-17 to welding and/or auto mechanics students after the EC athletic teams were consolidated with the QC Campus teams as per Lapan Family request. Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Must be a graduate from a high school on the east side of the Black Hawk College district.
Established in memory of Brick Lundberg. Preference is given to full-time students of good academic standing. Must demonstrate financial need. Renewable by reapplication if student maintains full-time status and a 2.0 GPA.
Established in memory of Glenn I. Luymes, DVM, who was a respected veterinarian in Galva, IL, practicing in the 1950s. Awarded to a full-time student in the Veterinary Technology Program at the East Campus. Minimum 2.5 GPA. Must show financial need.
This Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarship was created for Professor Emeritus Ken Maguire, 2016 Wall of Fame inductee. Awarded to a full-time liberal arts and sciences transfer student attending the East Campus. Must have financial need. Preference given to students majoring in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, anthropology, history, etc.).
Established by the Harriet McCarthy Estate. Based on merit. Given to any student not already receiving a BHC Academic Achievement Award. Must be a full-time student who graduated from a high school within the Black Hawk College district. Must have a GPA of “C+” or above.
Awarded to a full-time student enrolled in a health-related major who demonstrates financial need. Must have a “C” or above cumulative GPA.
Established to honor the Murchison Family Homestead (1852-1947) on which the East Campus is built. Benefits Black Hawk College East Campus students transferring to Purdue University who will be enrolled in the College of Agriculture in a production-oriented major such as agriculture economics; agronomy; food science; entomology; botany and plant pathology; agricultural and biological engineering; horticulture; or animal science (excluding equine studies). Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must show financial need. Scholarship will be applied toward tuition and fees.
Established in memory of Jeff Owens. Given annually to a full-time East Campus student who will continue his/her education at a four-year institution. Must have an excellent academic record. Must be a graduate of Kewanee or Wethersfield high schools.
Established by Peoples National Bank. Awarded annually to a business major with a “B” or higher GPA. Preference given to Kewanee or Wethersfield high school graduates with financial need.
Established by the Martin Engineering Company. Awarded annually to students in good academic standing who demonstrate financial need and participated on the “Martin Motion” robotics team, sponsored by Martin Engineering.
Awarded to full-time students with good academic standing.
Established by the late Otto Schwefel for deserving students with financial need. Awarded to full-time students who are graduates of Kewanee or Wethersfield high schools.
Awarded to full-time students who are Henry County residents enrolled in nursing, agriculture, auto mechanics or diesel mechanics.
Awarded to full-time students who demonstrate financial need. Student must have a cumulative GPA of “C” or better with preference given to an art major or liberal arts major.
Established in memory of Dean W. Stoner. Award is given to full-time students of good academic standing from Kewanee High School. Must show financial need. Preference given to a student with cystic fibrosis.
Established by Dale and Helen Swanson. Pays toward tuition, fees and books. Awarded to full-time students intending to transfer to a four-year college. Must have a “C+” or higher GPA and show financial need. Preference given to business administration majors.
Established by Theodore and Penny Vlahos. Awarded to students who attended Kewanee or Wethersfield high schools and whose primary permanent residence is in Henry County. Must be enrolled in a two-year degree program and maintain a “C+” or higher GPA. Pays toward tuition only.
Awarded to two students annually: one graduate from Wethersfield High School and one from Galva High School. Students must be enrolled full-time in a skilled trade program at Black Hawk College East Campus and demonstrate financial need. Preference given to students residing in Burns Township.
The West Central FS Scholarship shall support students seeking an agriculture degree or certificate who maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given to local students, demonstrating financial need, as well as to those who have completed or intend to do an internship at West Central, FS. Qualified students will be asked to submit a resume and go through an interview process.
Listed in alphabetical order. Updated: January 2026 *
* The scholarships listed by the Black Hawk College East Foundation are intended solely to offer general descriptions and requirements of available opportunities. The information provided for each scholarship does not constitute a commitment by the Black Hawk College East Foundation to specific terms, requirements, or the awarding of any scholarship.
These scholarships are subject to change at any time. The Black Hawk College East Foundation reserves the right to modify scholarship terms, and such changes are binding regardless of whether updates are reflected online.