High Character? Bold Dreams? Ready to make an Unlimited Impact?
Today, we have over 800 current and alumni Wentcher Scholars who are already changing the world, including over 170 that began their studies at Oakton Community College. Are you ready to become one of them?
When you become an Oakton Wentcher Scholar, you receive a scholarship award of up to $3,500 a year, renewable for up to two years, plus:
- A Wentcher team and community.
- Hands-on guidance and resources for social, emotional and academic support.
- A professional network of other scholars and alumni who are also high-achieving, high-character individuals.
- The opportunity to apply for the Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholarship, where you receive a scholarship award of up to $10,000 a year, renewable for two years to complete your Bachelor’s Degree at any eligible US college.
Criteria to apply
The Wentcher Foundation identifies ten students from Chicago-area high schools planning to attend Oakton Community College who exemplify academic excellence, high character, and demonstrate financial need.
CHICAGO-AREA HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR
Applicant must be a Chicago-area high school senior graduating the same year they are enrolling at Oakton Community College.
Academic excellence
The Wentcher Foundation requires a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA.
Financial need
Scholars must be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Applications from US citizens, legal permanent residents, and FAFSA-eligible noncitizens will be considered. If you are not sure about your eligibility status, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
High character
Students who are well-rounded in extracurricular activities, leadership experience, honors and achievements. During our interview process, we ask students about their achievements, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the dreams that they wish to fulfill. Oakton Wentcher Scholars often share the traits of being emotionally resilient and genuine. Like our founder, Ernie Wentcher, they are team players and leaders.
Oakton Wentcher
Scholarship APPLICATION TIMELINE
Oakton Wentcher Scholarship Application Opens
Oakton Wentcher Scholarship Deadline
Finalists notified and invited to interview
Interviews held via Zoom
New scholars notified of awards
Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholarship
Current Oakton Wentcher Scholars are notified of the opportunity to apply for the transfer award in Spring of their second year. To receive the Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholarship award, you must first be a current Oakton Wentcher Scholar, have maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and have received transfer admission to a new institution to complete your bachelors degree.
The Oakton Community College Foundation provides eligible Oakton Wentcher Scholars with the transfer application each spring, applicants are invited to interview in April 2023.
In our fourteen years of providing Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholarships, over 90 Wentcher Scholars have continued their studies beyond Oakton Community College to attend dozens institutions locally and nationwide.
