2026 Scholarship Application

LAKE COUNTY PEARLS, INCORPORATED
2026 Scholarship Application
IMPORTANT NOTE

DO NOT BEGIN THE APPLICATION UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. YOU WILL NEED TO START OVER IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED OR POSTMARKED BY SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026.
- High school senior
- Reside in and attend high school in Lake County, Illinois.
- Minimum cumulative (overall) GPA of 2.5.
- Enrolled in or accepted to an accredited junior or community college, trade school, or university.
- Verification of acceptance must be provided.
A complete application packet will include the following:

Two (2) recommendation letters (These reference forms must be placed in sealed envelopes and mailed to the address below OR emailed directly from the referecnes.)

One Community or Personal Recommendation (signed, with contact phone number; click here to access template. Please download to edit) This letter can be obtained from a Lake County organization, employer or personal reference. (No relatives)

One Academic Recommendation (must be on official school letterhead, with writer's signature and contact phone number) This letter may be from a high school teacher, counselor, academic mentor or administrator.

Reference letters can be mailed or emailed directly to lcpscholarships@gmail.com from the author.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Mailing Address:

Lake County P.E.A.R.L.S., Incorporated P.O. Box 8445 Waukegan, IL 60079

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED OR POSTMARKED BY MARCH 8, 2026:

Evaluation/Award Process:
- Incomplete applications will not be considered Applications submitted on a form that has not been approved and issued by Lake County Pearls, Inc. will not be accepted.
- Applicants recognized as finalists may be asked to participate in an interview in March.
- Scholarship awards will be paid in the name of the recipient upon receipt of proof of full-time enrollment from the Accredited Junior College, Trade School, or University Registrar.
- Scholarship award must be used within sixty (60) days of receipt of payout or will be forfeited/canceled.
Direct all questions/concerns regarding this application to the Scholarship Committee via email: lcpscholarships@gmail.com
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
1. Last Name*
2. First Name*
3. Gender Preference*
4. Email (List a personal email where we can contact you throughout the year. Do not submit an email address that is associated with your high school).*
example@example.com
5. Street Address*
6. Address Line 2
7. City*
8. Postal / Zip Code*
9. Phone Number*
10. Birth Date (Please input date MM-DD-YYYY)*

MonthDayYear
Date
11. Trade School, College or University attending?*
12. Will you be the first person in your immediate family to attend college?*
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
13. Name of High School*
14. City*
15. State*
16. Graduation Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
17. Cumulative (overall) Grade Point Average *
STUDENT RESPONSE
18. Please respond to the comment below

The response must be 300-500 words. Check for spelling and grammar.
Describe areas in your life where you demonstrated leadership and overcame obstacles in your school, family, or social life.
300/500
19. High School Community Service: List any community service organizations in which you have volunteered. Include the name of the organization, dates volunteered, and the level of participation*
20. High School Extracurricular Activities: List any extracurricular activities below. Include organization, dates and level of participation.*
21. High School Academic Honors: List major academic honors or distinctions you have received below. Include organization, date & award.*
22. Work Experience: List your work experience for the past three (3) years. Write "N/A" if you did not work.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
23. Do you plan to apply or have you applied for federal financial assistance for college/trade school?*

YesNo
24. Household adjusted gross income (2024 or 2025). Include parent's income if you are a dependent student.*

$0-$29k$30k-$59k$60k-$89k$90-$119k>$120k
25. Number of people in the household INCLUDING yourself?*
26. Number of people in your household who will be enrolled in college for the 2026-27 school year (excluding yourself)?*
REFERENCES
Two (2) recommendation letters (These reference forms must be placed in sealed envelopes and mailed to the address below OR emailed directly from the referecnes.)

One Community or Personal Recommendation (signed, with contact phone number; Click Here to access template. Please download to edit) This letter can be obtained from a Lake County organization, employer or personal reference. (No relatives)

One Academic Recommendation (must be on official school letterhead, with writer's signature and contact phone number) This letter may be from a high school teacher, counselor, academic mentor or administrator.

Email:
lcpscholarships@gmail.com

Mailing Address:
Lake County P.E.A.R.L.S., Incorporated
P.O. Box 8445 Waukegan, IL 60079
27. I confirm that the reference form will be/has been sent either by mail or email to the addresses above.*

YesNo
ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT
A true correct copy of the applicant's high school transcript, certified by an appropriate high school official must be mailed or emailed to:

Lake County P.E.A.R.L.S., Incorporated
P.O. Box 8445
Waukegan, IL 60079
lcpscholarships@gmail.com
28. I confirm that an official copy of my transcript will be/has been sent either by mail or email to the addresses above.*

YesNo
PARTICIPATION
29.. I hereby agree to participate in interviews, the use of quotes, and the taking of photographs, movies or videos of the student named above by Lake County Pearls, Inc.

I also grant to Lake County Pearls, Inc. the right to edit, use and reuse said products including use in print, on the internet, and all other forms of media, whether electronic, print or digital and whether now known or hereafter existing.
I also hereby release Lake County Pearls, Inc. and its members from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above*

YesNo
CERTIFICATION
The applicant certifies that the information supplied throughout this application is complete, accurate and that the student essay is entirely his/her own work.
30. Applicant's Signature

Clear
Application Date

MonthDayYear
Date
LAKE COUNTY PEARLS, INC.
Should be Empty:

LAKE COUNTY PEARLS, INCORPORATED

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

STUDENT RESPONSE

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

REFERENCES

ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT

PARTICIPATION

CERTIFICATION

LAKE COUNTY PEARLS, INC.