Over the past three decades, more than 200 students from across rural Illinois have received a Thomas H. Moore Illinois Electric Cooperatives (IEC) Memorial Scholarship. These scholarships aren’t just financial aid; they are a way to honor the rich legacy of the Illinois electric cooperative community.
Established in 1994, the first scholarship under the program was awarded in 1996. Since then, the scholarship program has grown from awarding two $1,000 scholarships to awarding 17 $2,500 scholarships this year. 2026 will mark another increase, as 17 high school students will earn $3,000 to go toward their education.
“The scholarship program has thrived over the past 30 years,” said Brooke Gross, member services manager at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. “We look forward to assisting deserving students for many years to come.”
In 2026, 16 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors in the electric cooperative family — 10 for those attending a 2- or 4-year college, university or technical school; five for those enrolling at an Illinois community college; and one, the Earl W. Struck Memorial Scholarship, for the child of an Illinois electric cooperative employee or director.
The 17th scholarship, the LaVern and Nola McEntire Memorial Lineworker’s Scholarship, celebrates the legacy of a man who dedicated more than 42 years as a co-op lineworker. The McEntires created this scholarship to help future lineworkers follow in LaVern’s footsteps. The scholarship helps offset the cost of attending lineworker school at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
Applicants are judged based on their academic achievements, work and volunteer experience, and community involvement. Creative, thoughtful responses in the required written essay are key to standing out.
“With scholarships like these, Illinois electric cooperatives are powering not just communities, but futures,” Gross says. “Whether you dream of becoming a lineworker or are following a different path to success, these scholarships offer a bright opportunity for deserving students across the state.”
If you are an eligible applicant, don’t miss your chance. Applications and more information are available through your local electric cooperative, or go to aiec.coop/iec-scholarship. For 16 of the scholarships, the deadline to submit is Dec. 31, 2025. If applying for the lineworker scholarship, that deadline is April 30, 2026.
