IASCW Scholarships

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IASCW Scholarships

My name is Lauren Potts, and I was one of the 2024 Irish Life Experience Scholarship recipients. I wanted to reach out and thank you and the Irish American Society of County Will for the truly life‑changing experience I had in Ireland. That program had a much deeper impact on me than I ever expected, and I’m still incredibly grateful for the opportunity you gave me. As you may know, I’m currently in my second year at Penn State studying aerospace engineering. Because of how meaningful my time in Ireland was, I’ve decided to return this summer for a physics study abroad program at University College Dublin. The experience I had through the Irish Life Experience played a huge role in shaping that decision, and I wanted to share that with you. Thank you again for supporting students like me and for helping make experiences like this possible. It truly changed the direction of my academic journey.

2024 Scholarship Recipient

Laura Potts

Irish Life Experience Scholarship - 2026 ENROLLMENT CLOSED

2026: June 28 – July 23

Irish Life Experience Scholarship

The IASCW application for scholarship to the Irish Life Experience summer program is open to any High School student who lives or attends school in Will County.

IASCW Scholarship Amount: $4,400.

Program Tuition: $5,650 – includes round trip airfare from Boston to Ireland.

Family requirement: balance of tuition plus airfare to Boston; and spending money.

– Learn More Here –

– View/Download Physical Application Version –

- 2026 Applications CLOSED -

Basic Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Student Email

Parent/Guardian Email

HIGH SCHOOL NAME & CLASS YEAR:

Name & relationship of persons writing letters of recommendation:

Person #1

Person #2

Additional Information:

Extra-curricular activities:

Club membership/leadership:

Volunteer/Community Service:

College/post H.S. Plans:

Career/Employment goals:

Basic Understanding of Program Costs:

Tuition: $5,650 – includes round trip airfare from Boston to Ireland. Participants MAY, subject to program approval and scheduling restrictions, substitute direct airfare from Chicago to Ireland. IASCW Scholarship amount: $4,000. Family requirement: balance of tuition plus airfare to Boston and spending money.

Scholarship recipients shall (and parents may) attend the IASCW Scholarship banquet

I agree that the IASCW may use photographs of me with or without my name for such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.

Plan for Family/Student required costs:

Please verify you understand:

I Understand these terms

All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, the application, and one-page typed essay answering “Why I want to visit Ireland?”

Applicant and Family expectations and commitments:

1. All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, the application, and one-page typed essay answering “Why I want to visit Ireland?” to info@countywillirish.net by 6:00 PM on Feb 22, 2025.
2. Scholarship recipients shall (and parents may) attend the IASCW Scholarship banquet Sunday April 6, 2025. Location TBA.
3. I agree that the IASCW may use photographs of me with or without my name for such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.

** Application due date: Jan. 31, 2025 **

Student E-Signature:

Date:

Parent/Guardian E-Signature:

Date:

Full Home Address:

Founding Fathers Scholarship - 2026 ENROLLMENT CLOSED

Closed – 2026 Applications Nov 2025 – Jan 2026

Founding Fathers Scholarship

This program offers post-high school scholarships of up to $2000 to use at a college, university, or trade school of choice.

The Founding Fathers Scholarship applicants should be in their final year of high school. Eligible students will plan to attend an accredited college or university, a junior college, or a trade school beginning post-graduation in 2026. All students with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, are residents of Will County, and embody characteristics of solid character, volunteer service, and peacemaking are encouraged to apply.

REQUIREMENTS:

Complete the Application
Complete 2 Essay Questions.
Interview at Joliet Public Library(Downtown Joliet Branch) Time TBD
Two letters of reference.
- One from an Academic Professional.
- One from a Coach, Volunteer Coordinator, Supervisor, neighbor, minister, etc.

Email questions to bettie@komarassociates.com. Use “Founding Fathers Scholarship Question” in the subject line.

Applications, Essays, and Reference Letters should be sent to Bettie, Tom and Shawn at: bettie@komarassociates.com , tom.haven65@gmail.com , shawn@180-salon.com.

DEADLINE: Applications must be received no later than JANUARY 15, 2026.

– View/Download Scholarship Details –

– View/Download Physical Application –

- Apply Now -

First Name:

Last Name:

Phone Number:

Student Email:

HIGH SCHOOL NAME & CLASS YEAR:

Cumulative GPA:

Extracurricular Activities/years of participation:

Volunteer Work (List activities and approximate number of hours contributed. Use separate sheet if needed):

Employment (if applicable):

Employer:

Time/Years of Employment:

Position Held:

Avg. numbers of hours per week:

Attach a 300 word essay answers for each of the following questions:

Tell us about your chosen field of study and how your intended career will contribute to the betterment of your community and the world:

Tell us about yourself. What attributes, skill sets, and characteristics do you possess that will help us understand why we should choose you as an IASCW Scholar?

2026 Manhattan Irish Fest Michael J. McHugh College Scholarship awardees:

Pictured left to right. Coley O'Connell (LWW Teacher/Irish Fest), LWW Principal Dr. Ted Robbins, King Ryan Hayden, Queen Eileen Zheng, Assistant LWW Principal Dr. Jennifer Kileen, Brandon Lipke (LWW Teacher/Irish Fest)

Historical record of Manhattan Irish Fest Michael J. McHugh College Scholarship awardees. Including this year's awards, the IASCW Irish Fest scholarships total $40,000+:

Founding Fathers 2025 Scholars

Irish Life Experience

2025 Scholars

2024

Nike Camp tuition scholarship

in cooperation with the Prairie State Road Runners organization

2025 Winner: Jaylyn Miller

3rd Year Running

Hi, I am jaylyn Miller and I attended the Nike cross country camp. I am going into eighth grade at Minooka Junior Highschool and I hope to become a psychologist, chemical engineer or even a professional athlete. This camp really helped me change my mindset about running by showing that cross country (and sports in general) are supposed to be fun and should not be something that takes over your whole life. We were also shown how to prevent injuries. Overall, I highly recommend the Nike cross country camp to anyone, whether you are new to running or experienced!

IASCW Scholarships

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