Holiday Classic Scholarship
The State Farm Holiday Classic
Scholarship
The Holiday Classic Scholarship Fund was created by the State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament and currently awards $1,500 scholarships each year to student-athletes from participating schools in our tournament. One winner from each of the four tournament brackets is awarded a scholarship each year.
The Fund is administered through the local Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, and scholarships are made directly to the college or university the recipient attends.
Established to recognize and award scholarships to four eligible high school seniors who would have participated in this past year’s tournament, a selection committee of current and former educators choose the winners based on their leadership skills and academic performance. Applicants are asked to demonstrate their experiences in student activities and community service, and are required to submit an essay titled “How my high school sports experience helped prepare me for success in higher education.”
All eligible applicants must:
- have been on the roster of a participating team in the 2025 State Farm Holiday Classic
- be a graduating senior in spring/summer of 2026
- maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale
- be admitted to and plan to attend a 2- or 4-year college
- have earned a varsity letter in basketball this year
Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026 and include:
- a completed online scholarship application
- brief essay (200-500 words) entitled “How my high school sports experience helped prepare me for success in higher education.”
- two (2) letters of recommendation from those who have worked with you in student activities or community service programs, like a coach, principal, guidance counselor, etc.
- proof (note on school letterhead) from basketball coach that you have or would have been awarded a varsity letter in basketball
Questions can be directed to: scholarship@theclassic.org