Seigle Scholar Program

Full-ride opportunity covering tuition, fees, labs, and books

The Seigle Scholar Program at Elgin Community College (ECC) offers a prestigious full-ride scholarship to support the academic aspirations of graduating high school seniors or first-year college students. It recognizes and encourages students with exceptional dedication to their communities and reflects the Seigle family's values and commitment to empowering future leaders through education.

Established by Mark and Robin Seigle, esteemed philanthropists in District 509, the scholarship covers all expenses, including tuition, fees, labs, and books for up to 60 credits toward an associate degree at ECC.

Seigle Scholars

Portrait of Jonathan Jonny Buckheister — “I vividly remember a firefighter reaching out to me, helping down a ladder…assuring me that everything would be okay. He gave me hope in a dark moment. My aspiration to become a firefighter/paramedic is fueled by the desire to be that source of hope for others.”

Portrait of Maria Salgado — “Although those fearful butterflies…never went away, they now thrive in the nervousness I feel every time I go to an interview or step in front of an audience…My fears will always serve as a reminder that sometimes the uncomfortable feeling…comes with greater rewards such as changing someone’s life for the better."

Portrait of Demettri Rohn — “The time I have volunteered to help people…allows me to understand other people’s struggles. I understand the importance of valuing all the gifts I have been given. I want to be able to share my gifts with others.”

Portrait of Sophia Cork — “While community service may be primarily to give back to the community, many people don’t realize the impact it can have on you as an individual as well as the group you’re giving back to.”

Portrait of Trinity Tescon — “My goal is to become a veterinarian so I can help both animals and the people who care for them. My ultimate goal is to run my own clinic someday and offer lower costs to those who need more affordable help for their beloved pets.”

Portrait of Brynn Copp — “Having positive experiences at the library has demonstrated the sense of fulfillment I get from being a leader, and I will seek that for the rest of my life. I am passionate about learning and continuously improving my leadership skills.”

Portrait of Ream Basraoui — “Assisting with community health initiatives has deepened my understanding of proactive medical care and its role of improving lives.”

Image of Mark and Robin Seigle — The Seigles were born and raised in the communities of Elgin and Dundee, and this region remains deeply meaningful to them. Generations ago their families came here as immigrants and helped build these communities and the bedrock institutions that make this place home for them. On Mark’s side, Seigle’s Cabinet Center traces its origins back to the late 19th century and has been an anchor of the local economy since. Robin is a former ECC student and was named a Sensational 75 alumnus as part of ECC’s 75th anniversary celebration.

Portrait of Gianna Deutsch — “Community service has ultimately taught me about myself and my abilities. It has given me a purpose in knowing that my talents are useful and that they unite society. It is when we discover how to use our gifts to provide service that we can truly find our purpose and make the world a better place.”

Portrait of Juliana Arroyo — As a CNA at a rehabilitation center during high school “I was able to see the whole person and not just see their disability. I’d lend an ear to them when they needed to talk, be the person they needed for care, and for support.”

Portrait of Leah Foerster — “As a volunteer dance instructor at Children’s Theatre of Elgin, I mentored young performers. This role taught me the importance of patience, encouragement, and leadership. It changed my life and profoundly influenced my future goals.”

Portrait of Solis Jaime — “Community services exposed me to vulnerable populations in my area, such as the elderly, low-income families, and underprivileged communities…It [has been] satisfying to bring awareness to these social issues that surround me.”

How to Apply

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: The application deadline has passed. No further applications will be considered at this time. Thank you!

Completed applications and all required documents are sent to:

Elgin Community College Foundation
1700 Spartan Drive, Building E, Room 210
Elgin, IL 60123-7193
seiglescholarshipapplication@elgin.edu

Only completed applications received by the deadline will be considered for the Seigle Scholar program.

Application Requirements

Personal information.
Academic background.
Description of community service involvement, roles, responsibilities, duration, and impact on the community.
Essay (300 words maximum) on the influence of community service on career goals and personal development.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your community service, academic achievements, and character. These can be from teachers, mentors, or community leaders.
Official high school transcript.
An in-person interview is required for chosen finalists.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
First-year college student.
Full-time enrollment status.
Pursuing an Associate Degree at ECC.
Intending to transfer to a 4-year college/university.
Demonstrated commitment to community service or initiatives with measurable social impact.

Complete the Application

Seigle Scholar Program

Seigle Scholars

Jonathan “Jonny” Buckheister - Fire Science

Maria Salgado - Psychology and Neuroscience

Demettri Rohn - Fine Arts

Sophia Cork - Biology/Pre-Medical

Trinity Tescon - Veterinary Medicine

Brynn Copp - Accounting

Ream Basraoui - Biology/Pre-Medical

Mark and Robin Seigle

Gianna Deutsch – Business

Juliana Arroyo – Nursing

Leah Foerster - Psychology

Solis Jaime – Liberal Studies

How to Apply

Application Requirements

Eligibility Requirements