Jacksonville Rotary Club opens 2026 scholarship applications for district seniors and area vocational students
Applications open through March 2 for two one-time awards
The Rotary Club of Jacksonville has opened its annual scholarship application period, offering two one-time awards aimed at graduating seniors and recent graduates pursuing post-secondary education. Applications must be submitted by March 2, 2026, and scholarship payments are structured to go directly to the recipient’s post-secondary institution for eligible costs.
The club’s announcement outlines two separate scholarships with distinct eligibility rules tied to geography and the type of education program a student plans to enter.
Two scholarships with different eligibility paths
Rotary Club of Jacksonville Senior Scholarship: A one-time $2,000 award for high school seniors who live within the legally defined boundaries of Jacksonville School District 117, attend a school within the district, and expect to graduate between May and June 2026.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Weikert Scholarship: A one-time $1,000 award created in memory of Staff Sgt. Matthew Weikert, an Army staff sergeant and Jacksonville High School graduate. It is available to seniors or recent graduates from Morgan, Cass, Greene, or Scott counties who plan to attend a vocational school, technical school, or community college.
Restrictions, payment method and permitted uses
Under the program rules, children of current Rotarians are not eligible for either award. The scholarships are designed to reduce direct educational costs by paying funds to the selected institution rather than issuing money to the student. The 2026 announcement specifies the awards may be applied to tuition and fees.
The application deadline for both scholarships is March 2, 2026.
Scholarships as part of a broader local support network
The application period opens as regional students continue navigating a crowded calendar of financial-aid steps, including federal aid filings and local scholarship opportunities. In Jacksonville, scholarship support is often coordinated through multiple channels, with community groups and education partners regularly participating in events where prospective students can receive help identifying and completing aid and scholarship applications.
How to apply
Application forms are available through the Rotary Club of Jacksonville’s website. Students and families reviewing eligibility are encouraged to confirm residency requirements and program type—particularly for the Weikert scholarship, which is limited to applicants planning to attend vocational, technical, or community-college pathways.