Mellinger Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Mellinger Educational Foundation, Inc.

Introduction
The Edward Arthur Mellinger Educational Foundation, Inc., established in 1959, is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to awarding college scholarships. For more than fifty years the Foundation has supported higher education, distributing in excess of $40 million to several thousand students to assist them in earning certificates or degrees. The Foundation was created to honor Edward Arthur Mellinger, an early advocate of the telephone industry who served as an executive with firms in the United States and Europe. From its beginnings, the Foundation has continued the long tradition of charitable giving aimed at improving the welfare of others.

Why we exist
Rising college costs and the heavy debt loads many students face are central concerns for the Foundation’s trustees and staff. We view our work as increasingly vital in helping students pursue postsecondary education without assuming unmanageable financial burdens.

Who should apply
If you are an undergraduate or a nontraditional student living in one of these Illinois counties — Warren, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, or Fulton — we encourage you to apply. Scholarships are gifts: there is no application fee and recipients are not required to repay the award. Applying only requires the time needed to complete the application.

Application information and eligibility
- Eligible applicants must be undergraduate students (including nontraditional students) residing in Warren, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, or Fulton counties in Illinois.
- Applications are available for download or request beginning March 1 and must be submitted no later than the stated application deadline. Submissions outside this window will not be considered.
- If you currently receive a Mellinger Scholarship, do not submit a new application. Current recipients will be sent a renewal form around mid‑May each year concerning continuation of their scholarship.
- Applications from individuals living outside the Foundation’s geographic area or those submitted outside the application period will be disqualified.
- For guidance on completing the application, please consult the FAQs page.

We look forward to your application and the opportunity to support your educational goals.