Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships
Offered by Acorn Equality Fund
About this scholarship
The Acorn Equality Fund’s 2026 scholarship program supports LGBTQ+ students, allies, and members of LGBTQ+ families who permanently reside in central or downstate Illinois. Awards typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 and may be used at any accredited postsecondary institution. One application is used to consider students for six scholarships with different selection emphases: the Acorn Equality Fund Scholarship for academics, volunteerism, and community advocacy; Central Illinois Friends for academics and public-health commitment; Korty & Morton for volunteerism, advocacy, and financial need; the Luke Scholarship for academics and financial need; the McKeon Scholarship for academics, volunteerism, and political advocacy; and Weber-Tucker for academics and social or family hardship. The service area includes every Illinois county except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Applicants should use the official form linked by Acorn and provide enough evidence for the scholarship categories that match their experience and circumstances. Recipients are notified in early November and recognized at the organization’s Family Breakfast in December. The verified 2026 application deadline is September 25.
Eligibility
- Identify as LGBTQ+, be an ally, or be part of an LGBTQ+ family or community served by the fund
- Maintain permanent residence in Acorn Equality Fund’s central or downstate Illinois service area
- Not reside in Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will County
- Attend or plan to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution
- Complete the official 2026 scholarship application
- Document the academics, service, advocacy, financial need, public-health commitment, or hardship relevant to the matching award
- Provide accurate contact and educational information for recipient notification
- Submit the application by September 25, 2026