Scholarships

RCC Annual Scholarship Program

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce (RCC) wants to promote education in the local area. Each year the chamber offers area students the opportunity to vie for a scholarship to further their education, this year the RCC will award 6 – $1,500 scholarships. The scholarship awards may be used for public, private or community colleges, universities and specialized schools or trades programs directly following the student’s graduation from high school.

2026 Scholarship


Scholarship Award Amounts:

2 – Trades/Vocational scholarships to be awarded in the amount of $1,500 each

4 – Academic scholarships to be awarded in the amount of $1,500 each

 

Eligibility and Requirements:

  • Must live or attend public or private high school within Algoma, Cannon, Courtland, Plainfield townships or the City of Rockford area of Kent County.
  • Must be a high school graduate in the 2025/2026 school year.
  • Must be planning to continue education following high school graduation, either on an academic path or trades/vocational path.
  • Must complete the scholarship application form.
  • Must receive a reference letter from a high school administrator, coach, teacher, instructor, supervisor, trades mentor, or Rockford Chamber of Commerce member. This reference letter is limited to one page, typed (single-spaced) or handwritten and must be signed by the referring individual. This cannot be from a relative of the applicant.
  • Must submit a video following the below criteria.


Video Theme:

Please submit a 60-90 second video answering the following questions:

  1. Introduce yourself (Name, school, etc.)
  2. What got you interested in your prospective career path?
  3. How would this scholarship help in your career path?
  4. What are your next steps?
  5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?


Deadlines and Key Dates:

  • Completed applications and videos must be received no later than midnight on March 31, 2026, Email submissions can be sent to execdir@rockfordmichamber.com with the subject line: Chamber Scholarship. Digital submissions may also be submitted on the Chamber website through the applicable link (below)
  • Determination: The Rockford Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board will determine the recipients of the scholarships. Winner will be notified no later than April 30, 2026.
  • A certificate will be presented to the winner by a member of the Rockford Chamber Board at the RPS high school honors convocation (if applicable). Winners will be announced in the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Rogue Review publication and showcased at the RCC Annual Scholarship Golf Outing in July.


Distribution of Funds: Details will be discussed with winners directly.

Paper Scholarship Application Download Digital Submission Scholarship Application

***Digital submission cannot be saved and continued. Submissions must be completed once started.