Welcome Illinois Rural Carriers
2026 Auxiliary Scholarship Applications
APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MARCH 1, 2026
100 Years of Success Scholarship
The 1924-2024 100 Years of Success Scholarship honoring Mrs. Roy Tricker, the founder of the Auxiliary, was established through monies acquired during the pandemic. An annual $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a member, spouse, child, or grandchild of a rural letter carrier. Children and grandchildren must be high school graduates or students already pursuing higher education. This is a drawn scholarship.
COVID-19 Relief Fund Scholarship
The COVID-19 Relief Fund Scholarship was established through monies acquired during the pandemic. An annual $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a member, spouse, child, or grandchild of a rural letter carrier. Children and grandchildren must be high school graduates or students already pursuing higher education. This is a drawn scholarship.
Cyndy Keyes Scholarship
The Cyndy Keyes Scholarship honoring Cyndy Keyes, past national officer, was established through monies acquired during the pandemic. An annual $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a member, spouse, child, or grandchild of a rural letter carrier. Children and grandchildren must be high school graduates or students already pursuing higher education. This is a drawn scholarship.
Auxiliary of the NRLCA Scholarship
The Auxiliary of the NRLCA Scholarship was established through monies acquired during the pandemic. An annual $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a member, spouse, child, or grandchild of a rural letter carrier. Children and grandchildren must be high school graduates or students already pursuing higher education. This is a drawn scholarship.
Francis & Laurie Raimer Scholarship
One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually for the first-place winner. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually for the second-place winner. Applicants must be an NRLCA member or spouse, child or grandchild of a rural letter carrier (regular, retired or substitute) who is a member in good standing of the NRLCA at least 25 years of age by August 1, 2025 OR hold a Bachelor’s degree supported by transcripts. This is a judged scholarship.
Smith Family Scholarship
Steven R. Smith placed in trust a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded annually to a high school graduate or a student already pursuing higher education. Originally named the Olga Smith Scholarship in honor of his mother, the 30-year scholarship was established in 1992 and was to expire in 2021. Upon Steven’s passing in 2017, his children chose to continue the scholarship to honor both their father and grandmother. This is a drawn scholarship.
Delbert “Lucky” Clark Memorial Scholarship
The Delbert “Lucky” Clark Memorial Scholarship was established through funds collected through the National Auxiliary “Program of Support” in 2009-2010 to provide an annual $2,500 scholarship to a high school graduate or student already pursuing higher education. Applicants must be the child or grandchild of a rural letter carrier. This is a drawn scholarship.
The Past National Officer (PNO) Scholarship
The PNO Scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, is awarded annually to a child, grandchild, great-grandchild, spouse or carrier of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association members. The person must be pursuing or planning to pursue education at a college, university, or technical/vocational or trade school. This includes graduate schools. This is a judged scholarship.
The Marie V. Mutchmore Scholarship
The scholarship in the amount of $500 is awarded annually to the child of a rural letter carrier. Applicant must be an active member of the NRLCA Junior Organization. Marie V. Mutchmore was a Nebraska woman who founded the Auxiliary’s Junior Organization. This is a judged scholarship.
The Clara Gardner-Burch Scholarship
Two $500 scholarships are awarded annually; one each to a male and female applicant pursuing a post-secondary education. Applicants must be children of a rural letter carrier. This is a judged scholarship.
Ian M. Etheridge Scholarship
Two $500 scholarships are awarded annually; one each to a male and female applicant pursuing a post-secondary education. Applicants must be children/grandchildren of a rural letter carrier. This is a judged scholarship.
NRLCA Auxiliary Discovery Scholarship
The NRLCA Auxiliary Discovery Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is awarded annually to the child or grandchild of a rural letter carrier. Preference is given to applicants who have participated in the Junior Organization on the state and/or national level. This is a judged scholarship.
These scholarship applications may be found on the nrlca.org website under the Auxiliary Officer list or by clicking the name of the scholarship on this list. Please read all directions thoroughly to avoid being disqualified.
The David Troutman Memorial Mid-States Scholarship
The David Troutman Memorial Scholarship was established by the Members of the Mid-States Conference Members of the NRLCA to honor the memory and legacy of our Brother in Solidarity, David Troutman. David was a passionate advocate for our rural carrier association and spent a lifetime serving others in his community. This scholarship is intended to support a student who shares the spirit of kindness, charity, resilience, community service, and enthusiasm for helping others.
The Lorene Maher and Carol Bowen Scholarship Application
The Lorene Maher and Carol Bowen Scholarship was set up in 2009, by the Association to honor Lorene Maher and Carol Bowen, two outstanding women who have served in nearly every office of the ILRLCA Auxiliary and as National Officers, Lorene through the ranks to President and Carol as Secretary. Two (2) $500 awards offered annually. Any applicant whose parents/grandparents/guardians are active in the ILRLCA will have their name placed in the drawing three (3) times, versus one (1) time for inactive members.
These two scholarships can be found in the December 2025 edition of The Illinois Rural Carrier and on ilrlca.org by clicking the name of the scholarship on this list.
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