One of the important ways The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America satisfies our mission of promoting our national heritage is through educational scholarships and awards. By supporting these initiatives, the Illinois Society enriches learning experiences for students and the public:
Congressional Seminar Scholarship for Illinois High School Students (Essay Contest)
For the past 41 years, Dames have been passionate about seeking out and celebrating the very best students of American history. We call on Illinois high school talent to enter the Congressional Seminar Essay Contest sponsored by the National Society. The Illinois winners of the essay contest are awarded a scholarship to attend a week-long Washington Workshops Foundation Congressional Seminar in Washington, DC, including full tuition, room and board for the program and round-trip transportation fare. Additionally, the teacher of each winning student is awarded $300 for the purchase of school supplies.
Click here for more information related to the essay contest.
Awards for Graduate Students Studying American History
Each year, NSCDA-IL presents a $3,000 award to a graduate student studying American history. Part of the mission of our Society is to help educate our fellow citizens and ourselves in America’s history and, in so doing, develop an appreciation of our past that inspires a shared love of country. To this end we feel it is important to support scholars committed to research in subjects related to American History. As a Society that’s been around for 126 years, it is our aim to do more, more often, in a way that truly considers the next 126. This scholarship program, among our other efforts, fundamentally will make a difference to our collective future in 126 years’ time.
Click here for more information related the Award for Graduate Study in American History.
NSCDA National American Indian Medical Scholarship Award
The American Indian Medical Scholarship Award Program (formerly known as American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program) was started by the Pennsylvania Society in 1928 and made a national project by the NSCDA in the 1930s to give students of American Indian descent the opportunity to pursue careers in nursing.
The students are expected to return to work among their people to help improve health care. Some students work on reservations, and others find employment in hospitals in areas largely populated by American Indians. Intended originally to benefit females only, the program has expanded to include males and the career goals now include not only nursing careers, but jobs in health care and health education, as well.
The current goal is to grant a $1,500 scholarship each semester, as long as the student remains in academic good standing. The scholarship money is restricted to tuition and specific academic expenses. To meet the financial demands of their education, many students seek additional government grants and subsidies and maintain part-time jobs.
American Heritage Awards
The American Heritage Awards celebrate the patriotic ideals of the NSCDA and bring together Corporate Societies in support of each other. The Awards are given to an organization, group, or as a student scholarship. The recipient or recipients must use the award to promote knowledge of patriotism and American heritage through community work, programs, projects, or through a course of study.
Our national organization and the other Region II Societies contribute funds for this award. We have been a proud supporter of this collective initiative since 2022. The Illinois Society will be the Spotlight Society that presents the award in 2029-2030.
