COUNTRY Financial Scholarship
In partnership with Heartland Community College, the COUNTRY Financial Scholars Program is designed to provide equitable access to enrollment at Heartland in tuition-based college courses while in high school (dual enrollment/dual credit). This program also provides all McLean County public high school students with job shadowing and career mentorship.
Scholarship Eligibility
Applicable
High SchoolsBloomington, Heyworth, Lexington, Normal (Unit 5) High Schools,
Olympia, Ridgeview, Tri-Valley, or UniversityYear in
High School2nd (sophomore) or 3rd (junior) year high school students only High School
Cumulative GPA3.0 on a 4.0 scale OR 3.75 on a 5.0 scale Financial Need Eligibility based on free/reduced lunch program standards
*verified by a high school*Career/Academic Pathway Demonstrate an interest in pursuing any the following academic/corporate career paths: Accounting, Agriculture, Arts (w/a tech. focus), Business, Communication, Computer Science, Digital Media, Economics, English, Information Technology, Mathematics, Psychology, or Sociology. Additional Criteria Must also meet at least one of the following:
- first-generation college student (neither parent completed a four-year bachelor’s degree); OR
- racial/ethnic minority; OR
- female studying technology.
Award Details and Requirements
- Students selected into the program are eligible for scholarship funding courtesy of COUNTRY to cover:
- tuition, universal fees, and course fees for up to 18 credit hours each academic year, including summer terms;
- textbook/required materials costs for all HCC courses, including HCC tuition-free courses offered at high school locations;
- a laptop furnished by HCC IT.
- Students selected into the program are expected to participate in a mentoring program through COUNTRY Financial (monthly contact with an assigned mentor) and 1-2 activities per Fall and Spring semester focused around, for example, career exploration, job shadowing, and leadership development.
- Students must complete the HCC admission process, meet course enrollment eligibility requirements, and enroll in at least 3 credit hours of HCC tuition-bearing college coursework during the academic year of acceptance.
- Juniors selected to the program will receive continued funding for their senior year if they:
- maintain a 2.5 GPA in HCC courses,
- earn a C or better in all HCC courses, and
- attended all required mentoring functions to date.
Scholarship Submission Details
To be considered for this scholarship, students must use the form below to upload a typed statement (under 500 words) OR video/audio submission (under 5 minutes) explaining their career or academic interests and how they believe they could benefit from being a COUNTRY Financial Scholar.
Updated Deadline: The new applicant window will close on February 1, 2025. Heartland Community College will review applications. Then, up to 12 students will receive an invitation to become a COUNTRY Financial Scholar by February 15, 2025.
COUNTRY Financial Scholars program has proven to make a positive impact in the lives of students and employees in our community. Below are a few impact stories from scholars and their mentors.
Scholar Testimonials - As a senior in high school, I completed enough college credits to be academically classified as a sophomore in college and finish my Associate's Degree and Digital Media Certificate from HCC in one year.
- My mentor and the staff at HCC supported my college/major search; through their guidance, I made an informed decision about my next steps after high school.
- I built connections to secure a summer internship at COUNTRY Financial immediately after completing my associate's degree in computer science at Heartland.
- I transferred all my HCC credits to a 4-year University right after high school, and I will still attain my associate's degree from Heartland through the reverse transfer process.
Mentor Testimonials - The students in this program are down-to-earth scholars. Through my interactions with them, I have become a better parent and employee.
- I'm proud to work for a company that invest in students in our community.
- Working with the scholars has taught me how valuable our corporate sponsorship is for students in our community.
- I enjoyed hearing the accomplishments of each of the scholars and witnessing my mentee take steps to fulfill her collegiate dreams is a personal highlight.
- I enjoyed being a resource to my mentee, he's grown so much in the context of this year.
Congratulations to our 2024-2025 new and returning COUNTRY Financial Scholars.
School Scholar Name Graduation Year BHS Alila Beck 2025 BHS Zahara Gordon 2026 BHS Jasmin Mendoza 2025 LEXHS Jordan Milan 2025 NCHS Believe Yayu 2025 NWHS Alexandria Caruthers 2025 NWHS Benedicte Diamonika 2025 NWHS Naomi Getachew 2026 OHS Davis Royal 2025 OHS Anna Siltman 2026 School Scholar Name Graduation Year Participation year(s) BHS Ahmad, Safa 2022 21-22 BHS Ahmad, Zeshan 2023 22-23 BHS Arias, Marianna 2022 21-22 BHS Cornejo, Isaac 2023 22-23 BHS Geraghty, Alyssa 2024 22-24 BHS Grayson, Matthew 2025 23-24 BHS Guerra-Cruz, Gema 2023 22-23 BHS Hernandez, Yvett 2024 22-24 BHS Ortiz-Silva, Alondra 2023 21-23 BHS Rice, Nakiya 2022 21-22 BHS Rider, Ariana 2024 22-24 NCHS Abbed, Lilian 2022 21-22 NCHS Beto, Joanna 2024 23-24 NWHS Anderson, Carmella 2023 21-23 NWHS Gibson, Kai 2024 23-24 NWHS Griffin, D'Amaurie 2025 23-24 NWHS Howard, Montinique 2022 21-22 NWHS Racey, Froylan 2023 21-23 NWHS
Ramos, Moncerrat 2024 23-24 OHS Cornwell, Chrystal 2023 22-23 OHS Frye, Taylor 2023 22-23 UHS Lawal, Oluwatamilore 2023 22-23 UHS Lawal, Oluwatimisire 2023 22-23
UHS Sanchez, Mariana 2024 23-24
