Holly and Tinsel want to remind everyone of Santa’s Future 1^st Responder Scholarship Program application season has closed

The Santa Claus is Coming to Grundy County Scholarship Fund provides educational scholarships to Grundy County residents or graduates of a Grundy County high school who are pursuing initial or higher education in the public safety and healthcare fields.

Designed to support both traditional college students entering the workforce and active professionals expanding their career pathways, the program welcomes applicants at every stage of their training.

Whether you are an undergraduate working toward your degree, a fire department EMT taking paramedic classes, a nurse advancing to a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant role, or an X-ray technician pursuing Nuclear Medicine, this scholarship helps fund the credentials needed to serve and protect Grundy County.

The Board of Directors/Advisory Committee of Santa Claus is Coming to Grundy County has designed this scholarship criteria and will be selecting the scholarship winner(s). Applicants should be pursuing a degree in one of the following fields: Law Enforcement, Fire Science, Emergency Management, or Nursing.

For our 4th year (2026) of this scholarship, eligible applicants shall:

1. Currently reside in Grundy County or

2. Be a graduate of one of the high schools serving Grundy County, Illinois (Morris, Minooka, Coal City, Gardner-South Wilmington, or Seneca), Home Schooled and

3. Have completed at least 30 hours of college credit courses, and

4. Be a current, registered student of an institution of higher education majoring in a field directly related to First Responders, and

5. Expanded Career Pathways Examples: Open to active healthcare and emergency personnel advancing their qualifications—such as nurses going for Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant, X-ray techs pursuing Nuclear Medicine, or fire department EMTs taking paramedic classes.

6. Complete an application provided by the Santa and by the application deadline, and

7. Must submit an original essay of 500-700 words describing why they are pursuing a career within the field of First Responders.

8. Upload current transcripts and your letter of recommendation.

9. Deadline to submit your application is November 30, 2026 at 5pm CST.

Please complete the application below attached the needed documents and then click submit. Be sure to electronically sign and date the application. Feel free to contact the Dave Di Vincenzo President of Santa Claus is Coming to Grundy County with any questions regarding this scholarship. Email santaclaustoyou1@gmail.com. 

Santa Claus's Future 1st Responders Scholarship Application

Deadline: November 30, 2026 – 5:00 pm

Awards:  $1,000

Education Information

Current College/University/Trade School:

Major/Program of Study: 

Total Credit Hours Completed (must be 30+): 

Grundy County High School & Year Graduated

Short Essay (Attach separately, 500 words max)

Please upload a Word Document describing why you chose a career path related to first responders, how your education will help you serve your community, and what receiving this scholarship would mean to you.

Supporting Documents (required)

*Unofficial transcript showing completed credit hours

*A letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor, or supervisor

Certification

I certify that all information provided in this application is true and correct.