Scholarships and Mentoring
One of our missions is to remember and honor those who have died within our community by helping the families they have left behind. Thanks to generous donations and fundraisers, we are able to provide college and trade school scholarships and mentoring programs to students who reside within Lyons Township High School District 204 and have lost a parent. To date, The Legacy Guild has provided over $2.2 million dollars of scholarships to 296 students in La Grange, Countryside, Western Springs, La Grange Park, Burr Ridge, Indian Head Park, Brookfield and surrounding areas.
Background/Timeline of Scholarships:
- Our first scholarships were awarded in 2013. We distributed checks for $1750 to 11 students.
- In 2015, we increased the scholarship amount to $2,500 and distributed 34 scholarships.
- Beginning in 2022, the amount was raised to $3,000 and checks were given to 79 Scholars.
- In 2026, we are introducing an enhanced scholarships based on financial need in addition to our regular base scholarships. Click here to read FAQ document about our new enhanced scholarship. We will not distinguish between Scholars who receive the traditional Scholarship and those who receive the Enhanced Scholarship.
As always, we remain committed to providing scholarships to all eligible scholars without consideration of financial circumstances. And all scholar information will be kept strictly confidential.
New and returning scholars are presented with their scholarship check during The Legacy Guild’s annual scholar luncheon in June. In 2026, the luncheon will be held on Sunday, May 31 at The LTHS Corral.
Please read below for details/criteria for new and returning Scholars prior to completing the online application. The link to the current application is at the bottom.
Criteria & Application
To be eligible for consideration,
- One must have experienced the death of a parent and also resided in Lyons Township High School District 204 area while attending high school.
- Graduating high school seniors (or current post-high school students) residing in District 204 area and accepted into undergraduate college or trade school or other higher learning programs may apply.
- If you are not planning to attend full-time (12 credit hours), we still encourage you to apply and the scholarship will be pro-rated for the number of credit hours. Please contact us with any questions.
- Applications are typically available online in January or February with a deadline in April. Please contact us with any questions about timing.
- Once you have received your initial scholarship, you must apply for renewal each year prior to April 1 and submit your official transcript showing you maintained a 2.0 GPA. You may re-apply up to four years of undergraduate schooling or end of trade school.
NEW SCHOLARS
New scholars must complete an online application and submit an essay along with providing other pertinent information. We offer three prompt options for your essay.
Choose one of these 3 prompt options:
- describe the impact your deceased parent had on your life and your plans to honor your parent’s legacy or
- describe your proudest achievement or
- describe your long-term goals and how your further education will fit into these goals.
We also ask that you describe how this scholarship will assist you in achieving these plans/goals.
In addition to the essay, please provide information on the college/trade school /higher education program you plan to attend (if known), your intended major and why you chose that school/major and any other pertinent information that can enable us to assist you in mentorship. If undecided as to college or major, please indicate areas of interest.
Lastly, provide a list of your extra-curricular activities including sports, community involvement and part-time jobs during high school so that we may learn a bit more about you.
NEW FOR 2026
In addition to Legacy Guild’s base scholarship, this year we are offering an optional additional award, the Enhanced Scholarship, for Scholars with the greatest financial need. If you have completed the FAFSA and your Student Aid Index (SAI) is 0 or lower, you are eligible to apply for the enhanced scholarship. Students in 4-year undergraduate programs (including transfers once enrolled in a 4-year program) may qualify. Students in trade/technical programs may also qualify in certain cases, including programs that are not Pell/MAP eligible if program costs exceed $3,000. Click here to review the FAQ document prior to applying.
Your SAI will be remain confidential within the Scholarship Committee.
Publicly, all recipients will be recognized simply as Legacy Guild Scholars. We will not distinguish between Scholars who receive the traditional Scholarship and those who receive the Enhanced Scholarship.
Click here for the 2026-2027 scholarship application.
“We, as humans, often find ourselves so busy in our own lives that we forget the importance of supporting something bigger than ourselves, our community. As a Legacy Guild Scholar, I want to thank all those involved with the organization. It is because of their faith, kindness, and recognition of our vulnerability that we are able to push harder in pursuit of our dreams. The Legacy Guild has been a constant reminder that when you lose a parent, you do not lose their Legacy. It is my hope that the guild will continue to build resilient, brave, and bright scholars.”