Shelby Electric Cooperative Scholarship Program

Shelby Electric Cooperative awards three $1,000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are children of co-op members.

Scholarships are based on academics, community involvement, and financial need for students pursuing higher education.

scholarship

Objective:  To provide financial assistance to eligible cooperative youth to further their education. 

Program outline:  Shelby Electric Cooperative will award three $1,000 scholarships to eligible applicants.  Scholarships are readily available for one year and are not renewable.  Scholarships will be awarded based on academic and community involvement, as well as financial need as demonstrated in the application and essay.  All applicants for scholarships shall be considered on the listed criteria without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, national origin, or existence of a physical handicap.

winners
2026 scholarship recipients, pictured from left to right, Owen Mateer of Taylorville, Olivia Mizeur of Taylorville, and Karalyn Endsley of Tower Hill

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Eligible youth are sons or daughters of a current Shelby Electric Cooperative member who is receiving electric service from the cooperative at the time the scholarship application is submitted.
  • Eligible youth must be a high school senior graduating during the 2025 - 2026 academic year. 
  • Eligible youth must go on to further their educational experience at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States, including vocational/technical schools.
  • Eligible winners must begin undergraduate studies within one year of notification that they have won.
  • Eligible winners must be enrolled as “full time” students, maintaining a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Download the Application

Deadline:  Completed applications must be delivered to the cooperative office by end of the business day, March 4, 2026. Applications may be received via mail at Shelby Electric Cooperative, Attn:  SEC Scholarship Program, PO Box 560, Shelbyville, IL 62565.   Applications are also accepted via email at scholarship@shelbyelectric.coop

Notification:  Scholarship winners will be notified in May and will be requested to attend Shelby Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting of Members on June 5, 2026 to be recognized.  

Conditions: Winners must provide proof of enrollment to the Member Services Department at Shelby Electric Cooperative before the scholarship is awarded.