SUAA Foundation Educational Scholarship and Professional Development Grant Programs

Click Here to Read About the 2024 Educational Scholarship Winners and Professional Development Grant Recipients!

Scholarships - Award Year 2025-2026

The SUAA Foundation offers up to eight scholarships of up to $1,000 per scholarship annually.  The scholarships are awarded for use in accredited degree-seeking programs, eligible technical/trade programs, and eligible certificate programs. The applicant must be a SUAA member in good standing or the spouse/partner, child, or grandchild of a SUAA member in good standing. For more information and a copy of the application, please use the "SUAA Foundation Scholarship and Professional Development Grants" link below

Applications may apply throughout the year, however, preferences will be given to those who apply before June 1, 2025. Scholarships can be awarded to the same recipient for subsequent years, provided the recipient completes and submits a new application each year. Priority will be given to first-time submissions.

To be considered for an SUAA Foundation Scholarship, please complete and submit the signed SUAA Membership Certification Form, the SUAA Foundation Scholarship Application, an essay, and 2 letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be from people (such as; high school teacher, academic advisor, college faculty member, school administrator, work supervisor) who can discuss your qualifications to achieve your educational or career goals. Letters of recommendation should not be from relatives or friends.

Professional Development Grants - Award Year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
Professional Development Grants are still available for the 2024-2025 award year. You may apply at anytime during the 2024-2025 award year for professional development activities which will occur prior to June 1, 2025. Please indicate on the application that you are applying for a 2024-2025 Professional Development Grant.

Applications for the 2025-26 award year will be reviewed beginning on June 1, 2025

Applications are accepted throughout the year and grants are awarded throughout the year until two grants have been awarded. If any funds are remaining, additional grants may be awarded. Each grant of up to $1,000 is offered for professional development activities. Professional development activities must be related to improving or enhancing the SUAA member’s ability to perform in their current position at their institution. The grant may be used for conference registration fees, travel expenses to conferences, tuition, fees, or books for educational expenses. The applicant must be a SUAA member in good standing who is currently employed at an Illinois institution of higher education.

To be considered for an SUAA Foundation Professional Development Grant, please complete and submit the SUAA Foundation Professional Development Grant application, an essay and one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation must be from a person who can discuss how the professional development activity will enhance or improve the applicant’s ability to perform or grow in their current position. (More information in the link below).  Documentation such as proof of registration, copy of conference program, or receipts for travel expenses must be submitted before a disbursement is made.

 Mail to:
Attn: Foundation Scholarship Committee
217 East Monroe Street, Suite 100
Springfield, IL 62701.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Application Materials

Application materials are available to download below. 

Click Here to download the Foundation Educational Scholarship Application Materials
Click Here to download the Foundation Professional Development Grant Application Materials