Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran and Iroquois Count Sheriff Derek Hagen will each award a $500 college scholarship to a graduating high school senior.

The Illinois Sheriff's Association is making $53,000 in scholarships available. The scholarship is to be applied to college tuition, books and fees only. They for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Those students who receive the scholarship must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within Illinois during the designated school year and be a permanent Illinois resident.

Applications are available at the sheriff's offices in Paxton or Watseka. They're also available at www.ilsheriff.org. Students must complete the application; answer an essay question and return all documentation to the respective sheriff's office by March 15.

For more information, contact the sheriff's office, Illinois Sheriffs' Association, a high school advisor or a college financial-aid office.

94.1 WGFA