Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to award $500 scholarship

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announced it will be awarding more than $58,000 in college scholarships throughout Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2025-26 academic year, including in Putnam County.

The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only. The students must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within Illinois. Online learning is acceptable.

Putnam County Sheriff Joshua Boedigheimer will be awarding a $500 scholarship. There will be no restriction on any applicant because of race, age, creed, color, sex or national origin. The only limitations are as follows:

• applicants must be permanent Illinois residents
• scholarships must be utilized at institutions of higher learning in Illinois, including those offering online learning
• students must be enrolled full-time during the 2025-26 school year (excluding summer session).

Applications are available at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office or online at ilsheriff.org/youth-2. Students must complete the application; answer the essay question and return all documentation to the sheriff’s office in their permanent county of residence by March 14 (must be postmarked by this date). A directory of sheriff’s offices is available at ilsheriff.org/sheriffs-directory.

For more information, call the sheriff’s office at 815-925-7015, high school advising center or college financial aid office.