URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — On Wednesday, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission opened its application window for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship program. These competitive scholarships for college and occupation training provide up to $5,000 for low-income individuals around Champaign County with high academic potential and preferred community involvement. The scholarship supplements the student’s cost of tuition, fees, and program-specific supplies.

Applicants for the scholarship must be enrolled at an accredited college, university, or trade school in Fall 2026 as an in-state or out-of-state student. The scholarship is funded and designed in cooperation with the State of Illinois’ Office of Community Assistance at the Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity.

Franklina Kabu, a Parkland College student and one of RPC’s 2025 scholarship winners, shares, “This scholarship is an amazing steppingstone into my future. It helped me realize that I have support in the goals I plan to achieve in my future.”

Individuals applying for a CSBG Scholarship must be:

  • A resident of Champaign County
  • At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on household income for all related adults
  • Enrolled in a post-secondary school, college, or vocational institute for Fall 2026 but have NOT already completed a bachelor’s degree
  • Aa part-time or full-time student

Completed applications and supporting documents must be received by 4:30pm CT on April 30, 2026.

“Educational access should be based on ability, not affordability,” says RPC Community Services Director Lisa Benson. “The RPC supports ‘People. Possibilities.’ CSBG Scholarships have the potential to change lives.”

For more information, visit: https://www.ccrpc.org/divisions/community_services/csbg_scholarships.php