About the Lincoln Award
Scholarships for Illinois Residents, Inc. (“SIRI”) is a non-profit alumni foundation affiliated with Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. It was funded by a gift in 1948 and has been granting scholarships to Trinity students for more than 70 years.
Prior to 2012, SIRI offered need-based financial aid to support existing financial aid packages for students from Illinois, designated as “Illinois Scholars.”
In 2012, SIRI created the Lincoln Award – a life-changing, merit-based, full-ride scholarship – but maintained the emphasis of the scholarship: enabling young Illinoisans the financial freedom to attend and excel at Trinity College and beyond.
The Lincoln Award is a highly selective scholarship for high achieving students interested in attending Trinity College. Based on merit, this award is granted to a small number of “Lincoln Scholars” with exceptional achievement and potential each year. The Lincoln Award provides four years of full scholarship, regardless of need. Over four years, the award provides a grant of over $325,000. It covers full tuition, housing, fees, meals, and book expenses as well as a stipend for summer internships.
While at Trinity, SIRI provides the Lincoln Scholars cohort with a stipend for group outings and bonding activities. In past years, outings have included attending concerts in New York City, group dinners, or even just grabbing coffee. The Lincoln Scholarship provides an informal, supportive community throughout a Scholar’s college experience.
Illinois Scholars visiting New York City to see The Book of Mormon on Broadway in 2015.
From left to right: Thomas Gitchell ('18), Matthew Lucas ('17), Jacqueline (Jak) Kromash ('19), Jessica Duong ('19), Madalyn Farrar ('19), Luke Duros ('19), Pearson Probst ('18)
Illinois Scholars returning to Trinity College after a cohort dinner at American & Mexican Diner near campus in 2024.
Clockwise from left: Ella Schaffer ('27), Grace Fangmann ('26), Eleanor Burke ('26), Katelyn Paeth ('28), Linnea Mayo ('26)
In addition, recipients of the Lincoln Award are eligible to participate in a Summer Internship Program, whereby they are provided up to $6,000 for each of the three summers while enrolled at Trinity to fund an internship of their choice. Past internships have included working for a local community health organization in Hartford, working for government officials in Chicago and New Orleans, and conducting computer science research with Trinity College faculty.
A Lincoln Award is contingent upon being accepted and enrolling at Trinity College. Although the awarding of this scholarship is independent of the College’s own deliberations concerning admission and financial aid, we work closely with the Dean of Admissions in evaluating the candidates for a Lincoln Award. To avoid duplication in applying for a Lincoln Award while also applying for admission to Trinity College, applicants for this award need only authorize the College to share and discuss with us the contents of their admissions application file. The Application for the Lincoln Award grants us your authorization.
To learn more about the history of Scholarships for Illinois Residents, read the article A Badge of Distinction in the Trinity Reporter.