Leadership in Creative Writing and Forensics Scholarship

Application Criteria

Please read the entire application for details about this scholarship. Terms and conditions stated in this application are effective from fall 2025 through spring 2026. This is a competitive scholarship; only a few scholarships are available. Early application is advised.

To Qualify for the Scholarship, You Must:

1. Be a resident of Community College District 509 for at least 30 days immediately prior to the start of the first semester to which the scholarship applies. High school seniors must graduate from one of the high schools listed below, and attend an ECC new student orientation. If you are not currently a high school senior, you do not need to have graduated from an in-district high school. However, you must currently reside within Community College District 509. Contact the Admissions Office to arrange an orientation date and time, 847-214-7385.
   • Bartlett
   • Burlington Central
   • Dundee Crown
   • Elgin
   • Hampshire
   • Jacobs
   • Larkin
   • St. Charles East
   • St. Charles North
   • South Elgin
   • Streamwood
2. Private high schools: Community College District 509 residents who graduate from an accredited private high school in District 509 are also eligible.
3. Have at least a 2.0 (c) cumulative grade point average in high school or in college classes taken at ECC or any other accredited college or university.
4. Submit a final/official high school or college transcript to the ECC Admissions Office.
5. Be enrolled or accepted in an associate degree program at ECC unless a vocational certificate is the only available option. To qualify for a full-time scholarship, you must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours. To qualify for a half-time scholarship, you must enroll in a minimum of six (6) credit hours. Non-credit courses do not satisfy credit requirement.
6. Be in good financial standing with all ECC departments (no outstanding balances or financial restrictions).
7. Submit a one-page essay (personal statement) that details your educational plans, career goals and past involvements in high school and community activities. Make sure your name is on the essay.
8. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Your FAFSA information must be received and processed by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office in order for your scholarship to be awarded. Complete the ECC Institutional Aid Application and provide other documentation as requested. If you have any questions about filing a FAFSA or need assistance, call the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at 847-214-7360.
9. Complete the special application requirements within your liberal arts area:
   • Creative writing: (1) Submit a sample of your creative work that includes either six poems, or 12–15 pages of fiction, or 12–15 pages of creative nonfiction. (2) Submit a 500 – 600 word essay about why you would like to be a creative writing scholarship student.
   • Forensics: (1) During an interview with the forensics advisor, show a five-minute video of a performance in your best event or give the performance at the interview. (2) Submit a letter of recommendation from your high school or college forensics coach if applicable, or from a high school or college instructor familiar with your work ethic.

It is your responsibility to follow up on the status of your application to ensure it is approved before the payment deadline date of the term for which you are applying. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

To Maintain and Renew the Scholarship for up to Two Consecutive Years, You Must:

1. Full-time scholarship: Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for up to two consecutive years. Half-time scholarship: complete a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester for up to two consecutive years.
   • The summer semester is not covered for full or half scholarships.
   • Only completed courses will be covered by the scholarship.
   • If you drop below full-time enrollment of at least 12 credit hours, or part-time enrollment of at least 6 credit hours, you will forfeit the scholarship.
2. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
3. Be in good financial standing with all ECC departments (no outstanding balances or financial restrictions).
4. Maintain in-district residency for the duration of the scholarship period.
5. Maintain appropriate standards of conduct as detailed at elgin.edu/codeofconduct.
6. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year at studentaid.gov. Your FAFSA information must be received and processed by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office in order for your scholarship to be awarded. Complete the ECC Institutional Aid Application and provide other documentation as requested.
7. Fulfill the maintenance requirements specified by your supervising department:
   • Creative writing: (1) Participate in the production of Spire, the college literary magazine. Duties include selection of writing to be published, proofreading and copy editing, and “on call” duties during the production period. (2). Serve as a member of the Writers Center advisory board, attending regularly scheduled meetings and assisting with Writers Center activities. (3) Complete at least three hours per week of clerical work for the Writers Center and/or Spire. (4) Attend all Writers Center functions.
   • Forensics: (1) Become a member of the ECC Forensics Team. (2) Participate in at least three ECC Forensics Team events in at least two tournaments per semester. (3) Meet with the forensics coach for a sufficient number of training sessions to compete effectively.

How Aid is Applied:

1. Any form of state or federal aid or private scholarships you receive will be applied first to your tuition and fees.
2. Next, your ECC scholarship will be applied to cover tuition charges.
3. Any loans will be applied last.
4. The scholarship does not cover books, fees, and classroom supplies.
5. You may not receive a Trustee scholarship at the same time as the Creative Writing or Forensics scholarships.
6. The maximum time period for a student to receive the Creative Writing or Forensics scholarships is up to two consecutive years.

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