The Illinois Funeral Service Foundation provides one $1,000 grant to each of the four schools of mortuary science in Illinois for each graduating class.
The school has the responsibility for determining which student should receive the award. This is based generally on academic achievement. Where achievement is equal, the schools typically take into account the need of the individual. Most of the schools do not provide upfront awards but rely on academic history to determine merit.
The schools are responsible for indicating the availability of the grant to the students. Any applications which are used are provided by the school. Students should contact the school they are attending and make application for the grant through them. An officer from the IFDA Board of Directors will present the grant in a formal ceremony at the school or at graduation.
There are no limitations or restrictions on the class of individuals who are eligible recipients, except that the grants are awarded to individuals who reside in Illinois. The purpose of the grants is to promote educational excellence among prospective Illinois licensees.
The checks are made payable to the individual scholars who have been selected by the school. The schools through which the grants are provided are Southern Illinois University School of Mortuary Science, Carbondale; Malcolm X College, Chicago; Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling; and Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg.
For more information, contact the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, 215 S. Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL 62704, 800-240-4332, www.ifda.org.
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