‘The community’s behind you’: Over 200 northern Illinois students receive college scholarships

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has awarded 217 students with over $500,000 in scholarships for all their hard work.

One student explained what it meant to be one of the many selected for a scholarship.

“It matters to me to know that I have backing here,” said Alex Marshall, a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire.

Marshall is majoring in marine biology and received the Fred Peterson Scholarship.

“This is the best kind of organization… It’s just giving back to the community, helping people, giving, finding talented people in the community, and just giving them a little extra help to get where they need to go,” explained Marshall.

Soon-to-be freshman at Saint Norbert in Wisconsin, Chloe Sanford, plans to major in biology as well. She received the William and Wilbur Cumming Scholarship, which is renewable at the start of every school year.

“I’ve faced a lot of obstacles, mentally and physically, throughout sports and everything,” said Sanford. “So, yeah, this is very encouraging for me.”

The president of the foundation explained that the awards are about more than financial help.

“We believe, very strongly, that the purpose of getting a scholarship or of awarding a scholarship is not just the financial piece,” said Sarah Lambert. “It’s about knowing that the community’s behind you. The theme of tonight’s event is ‘we’ve got your back.”

To see a full list of this year’s scholarship award winners, visit CFNIL’s website.