The Rotary Club of Naperville offers annual grants and scholarships. Scroll down to find out more about each of the scholarships and grants available.
2025 Student Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Naperville offers annual scholarships for students through the Rotary Club of Naperville Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship applicants must live within the attendance boundaries of Naperville School District 203 or Indian Prairie School District 204 and must graduate from high school during the academic year of application. Local parochial high school seniors who reside in Naperville school districts 203/204 are also encouraged to apply. Scholarship candidates may not be a related to a member of The Rotary Club of Naperville.
Email Questions/Concerns to Maria Caselli, Chair, RCN Scholarship Committee, mcaselli@napervillerotary.com
Community Service Grant
The Rotary Club of Naperville offers annual grants for humanitarian programs through the club’s Community Service Grants Committee and Naperville Rotary Charities.
“Basic Humanitarian Needs” are essentials that are needed in order to prevent the threat to the health, safety, security, or well-being of a community or other large group of people. In other words, to provide essentials to people in need. These include the simplest of needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, physical and mental health, education, and sanitation. Any need that sends a person from poverty to a crisis situation is considered a basic humanitarian need.
For additional info, please email skastelic@napervillerotary.com.
Gene Drendel Scholarship
This scholarship was introduced to honor Gene Drendel, a distinguished Rotarian, a longtime and well-respected educator, and life-long resident of Naperville. Gene was active in youth athletics, especially wrestling, high school football and Little League Baseball, as a coach, announcer and supporter. He was also active in many civic and charitable organizations.
The $5,000 Gene Drendel scholarship is awarded annually to one high school senior who has a history of academic achievement, proven athletic excellence, and service to their school and community.
Frank Slocumb Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship honors Rotarian and Rotary Club of Naperville Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Frank Slocumb. The scholarship is awarded to two students who currently attend, or will be attending, College of DuPage, Joliet Junior College or Waubonsee Community College.
Recipients are to be of strong moral character, active in multiple community service organizations and have a high financial need. First preference will be given to candidates who enroll in an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree program that will enable them to transfer to a four-year college or university. Individuals who will be first generation college students are encouraged to apply.
Service Above Self Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Naperville “Service Above Self” Scholarship specifically recognizes and rewards an applicant who successfully demonstrates a substantial commitment to service. In 1989 The Rotary Council on Legislation established “Service Above Self” as the principal motto of Rotary because it best conveys the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service.
The $4,000 “Service Above Self” scholarship is awarded annually to two graduating high school seniors. Specific areas considered when reviewing applicants are in-school service and community service history, and evidence of a lifelong commitment to service.
At Hope Scholarship
The $1,000 “At Hope” scholarships specifically recognize and reward recipients’ hopeful behavior in overcoming significant challenges during their high school careers. How one chooses to navigate and overcome life challenges demonstrates the character of the individual and the resolve for continued success. Also taken into consideration when reviewing applicants will be in-school and community service involvement.
Make a Difference – North Central College Scholarship
This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors who will be attending North Central College and have an interest in leadership, service, and display the spirit of Rotary.