From 1846 to 2020 MacMurray College scholarships helped students pursue their college education. MacMurray students were frequently supported by college scholarships provided by generous donors. The MacMurray Foundation is continuing this legacy, primarily by making scholarships available for members of MacFam, i.e., MacMurray College alums, former faculty, staff, and trustees, and their relatives, as well as for students sponsored by a member of MacFam. In addition, the Foundation offers a scholarship to a community college graduate and a local student who has previously been awarded a Jacksonville Promise scholarship. We invite applications from our awardees from prior years to renew their scholarships and from new applicants pursuing higher education for classes beginning in Fall 2026. (We always welcome contributions to our scholarship fund. Learn more.)
We will begin accepting applications on January 1 and will not review or award any scholarships until after the March 15 deadline for submissions. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please review the criteria below. All awards are for one year only, but previous awardees may apply for additional years through this process. If you are interested in funding a scholarship or supporting the scholarship program, review the possibilities on our support page.
CURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS
General and Named Scholarships – $1,500
- MacMurray Foundation MacScholar Scholarships
- Class of 1981 Scholarship
- Richard and Judith Dozier Hackman Scholarship
- Nancy Witthoeft Scholarships
- Cathy Horn Randall Scholarships
- Nancy Potts Rapier Memorial Scholarships
- Russel Patton Memorial Scholarships
- The Maggie Scholarships
- Michael Zimmers Memorial Scholarship
- Nancy Teel Croessmann Memorial Scholarship
- Simons Family Scholarship
- The TSB Management Scholarship
- Rich Laren Kilted Highlander Scholarship
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Jacksonville Promise Scholarship
This scholarship is for $1500 and will be awarded to a previous Jacksonville Promise scholarship recipients.
William Stanton Scholarship for Future Educators
This scholarship is for $1500 and will be awarded to a student intending to pursue a career in education.
Class of 1972 Scholarship
$2,000 award for students pursuing an undergraduate degree. Priority is given to first-generation students or those who have overcome obstacles.
Louise Rintelmann Thompson “I Believe in You” Scholarship
$3,000 award for community college graduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree as a residential student.
Baker Family Trust Scholarship
$5,000 award for students majoring in Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, or Industrial Distribution.
CRITERIA FOR APPLYING
- Previous MacMurray Foundation Scholarship Awardees
- Previous awardees must submit a complete application during the application period.
- The application must indicate that the applicant will be a full-time student during academic year 2026-2027.
- Applicants must include a brief paragraph summarizing their academic and non-academic accomplishments from the past year and describing how the scholarship supported these achievements. If the award was not used, the paragraph should explain why, outline current activities, and describe how the renewed scholarship would be applied.
- In addition, applicants must submit:
- A letter of recommendation
- A transcript from the most recent academic year showing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (which must be maintained through the current academic year).
- New Applicants for All MacMurray Foundation General or Named Scholarships
- Eligible applicants may apply for the current MacMurray Foundation Scholarships. Applicants must submit all required materials, and unless otherwise noted, must meet the Foundation’s general eligibility criteria.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must be a MacFam member or sponsored by one (MacFam includes alumni, former faculty, staff, trustees, and their relatives). Applicants for the Jacksonville Promise Scholarship and the Louise Rintelmann Thompson “I Believe in You” Scholarship need not be a MacFam member or sponsored by a MacFam member. All applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Be a first-generation college student.
- Be a high school graduate who will attend an institution of higher learning with a focus on the connection to the legacy of MacMurray College.
- Be pursuing a program historically prominent at MacMurray College (e.g., Deaf Education, Special Education, Nursing, Business, Social Work, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, Art, Music, or other helping professions).
- Be pursuing an advanced degree in a helping profession.
- Demonstrate financial need as indicated on a FAFSA form.
- For the Class of ’72 Scholarship, have overcome a significant life challenge as described in the application essay.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications open January 1, 2026, and must be submitted online by March 15, 2026. To apply for any of the above scholarships, access our online scholarship application, create an account, and follow the instructions to complete and submit your application. To ease the application process, all applicants complete one universal application. Individual scholarships will be awarded by the Foundation through recommendations from its Scholarship Committee.
Follow all instructions and ensure your application is complete before submission. A complete application will include:
- Completed online application form.
- Transcript from the most recent academic period (minimum GPA requirements vary by scholarship).
- Essay (if required).
- Letter of Recommendation (see below).
GPA REQUIREMENTS
The General, Named, Jacksonville Promise, Stanton, and Baker Scholarships: 3.0 Minimum GPA maintained throughout the current academic year.
Class of ’72 Scholarship: 2.5 minimum GPA maintained throughout the current academic year.
Louise Rintelmann Thompson “I Believe in You” Scholarship: No minimum GPA.
ESSAY & RECOMMENDATION GUIDELINES
Applicants must submit a short essay describing how one or more of the MacMurray values- Knowledge, Faith, Service, Wisdom, Duty, and Reverence- have influenced their life. (See the About Page for information about MacMurray values). Those applying for the Class of ’72 Scholarship based on overcoming challenges should discuss their experience in this essay. There is no essay requirement for the Louise Rintelmann Thompson “I Believe in You” Scholarship.
A letter of recommendation must be provided by an adult who is not an immediate family member. For the Louise Rintelmann Thompson Scholarship, the recommendation must come from a community college faculty or staff member.
PRIVACY POLICY FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS AND AWARDEES
The information provided by the applicant and family is private and will be shared only with scholarship reviewers for purposes of determining eligibility for a scholarship and making recommendations for scholarship awards. No information will be made public, except as may be required by law, or for publication of the award or as specifically permitted by the awardees. Scholarship awardee’s information will be provided to the applicant’s requested institution. Applicants/awardees may submit a request in writing to limit in whole or part publication of the applicant/awardee’s information.
CONTACT US
For questions or assistance, please contact the MacMurray Foundation and Alumni Association.
Website: www.macalumfoundation.org