USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Illinois the USA

Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship 2027 - Illinois

Deadline 1 February 2027 (SMEEF opens 1 November 2026) 136 days left · Hosted by SME Education Foundation · Published

The Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship is a named fund inside the SME Education Foundation portfolio for students connected to SME North Central Peoria Chapter 31. Undergraduates majoring in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing technology, or a closely related degree at Bradley University or Illinois State University can compete for a merit award that directories list at about $1,000. Reviewers look for a 3.0 GPA and give preference to chapter members and their families, Illinois Central College transfers, and active SME Student Chapter participants. You file one application at scholarships.smeef.org during the annual November-through-February window, and the system routes you to Chapter 31 Peoria plus every other SME fund you match.

Typical award
~$1,000
Manufacturing major
Undergraduate
SMEEF deadline
1 Feb 2027
Illinois campuses
Bradley or ISU
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship?

Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship keeps manufacturing talent in central Illinois by steering SME Education Foundation dollars to students at Bradley and Illinois State. North Central Peoria Chapter 31 sponsors the fund, but you still apply through the same national portal every other SME undergraduate uses.

You are not filling out a Peoria-only form. SME uses one online application each winter, and qualified files automatically enter the Chapter 31 pool when your campus and major match. That means a Bradley student in industrial engineering competes here and may also surface for other SME funds without extra paperwork.

The preference ladder is specific. Chapter families get first look, then students who started at Illinois Central College, then SME Student Chapter members. If none of those labels fit you, you can still win on grades and a clear manufacturing story, because preference is not the same as a hard cutoff.

Plan backward from 1 February 2027. Register in the fall, confirm your major code inside the portal, and chase an official transcript before holiday closures. For the broader SME portfolio, read the SME Education Foundation Scholarship guide. For another Illinois-linked chapter award pattern, compare the Chapter 1 Detroit Undergraduate Scholarship guide.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 5
  • ✓
    Undergraduate at Bradley or Illinois State
    You must attend Bradley University in Peoria or Illinois State University in Normal while pursuing a bachelor's degree in an eligible manufacturing or industrial field.
  • ✓
    Manufacturing or industrial engineering major
    Eligible programs include manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing technology, and related degrees as defined in SME Education Foundation materials. Confirm your major code inside the portal before you submit.
  • ✓
    Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
    Applicants need an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts that show your cumulative average, not just major GPA.
  • ✓
    U.S. or Canadian citizenship or eligible residency
    Standard SMEEF rules require U.S. or Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or an eligible student visa, plus a permanent address in the United States or Canada.
  • ✓
    Chapter 31 preference order
    First preference goes to North Central Peoria Chapter 31 members, spouses, children, or grandchildren. Second preference goes to Illinois Central College transfer students. Third preference goes to SME Student Chapter members.
What you get

Benefits

  • Typical award amount About $1,000
  • Allowed uses Tuition, fees, or books
  • Application path Single SME Education Foundation form
  • Renewability Reapply each year unless renewed in portal
  • Room and board Not a separate housing grant
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 6
  • ✓
    SME Education Foundation online application
    Complete the shared form at scholarships.smeef.org when the 2027-2028 cycle opens. One submission considers you for Chapter 31 Peoria and all other eligible SME funds.
  • ✓
    Official or current transcript
    Provide college transcripts proving a 3.0 cumulative GPA and enrollment at Bradley or Illinois State.
  • ✓
    Personal statement
    Describe your manufacturing career goals, co-op or internship work, and ties to central Illinois industry if you have them.
  • ✓
    Resume
    List CAD projects, robotics activity, co-ops, and leadership roles that show commitment to manufacturing.
  • ✓
    Recommendation letter
    Submit at least one letter from faculty or an industry mentor who can speak to your academic performance and shop-floor potential.
  • ✓
    Chapter or ICC transfer documentation
    If you qualify for first or second preference, note chapter membership or Illinois Central College transfer status clearly in the application.
Step by step

How to apply

Create your account before November so SME can email you when the 2027-2028 application launches. Add [email protected] to your contacts.
Verify that your institution and major match Chapter 31 Peoria rules. ICC transfers should note their prior college in the application.
If a parent or grandparent belongs to Chapter 31, list membership details. Preference does not lock out other strong applicants, but ties matter in close decisions.
Request an official transcript early if your registrar is slow in January. Give your recommender at least three weeks to upload a letter.
Answer every prompt in one sitting if possible, then review for typos. The portal matches you automatically to Chapter 31 Peoria when your school and major fit.
SME closes the portal on February 1 each year with no grace period. Save your confirmation screen once the file uploads successfully.
Reviewers decide awards after the February close. Check email and the portal inbox through late spring for status updates.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
1 February 2027 (SMEEF opens 1 November 2026)
136 days left
1 Nov 2026
Expected opening of the SME Education Foundation scholarship portal for 2027-2028 funding.
Nov 2026 - Jan 2027
Applicants finalize transcripts, chapter ties, and recommendation letters.
1 Feb 2027
Hard deadline for Chapter 31 Peoria and all SME Foundation funds in the same cycle.
Spring 2027
Committee scores applications and assigns named funds including Chapter 31 Peoria.
Summer 2027
Winners receive award letters and disbursement timing for the upcoming academic year.
Questions

FAQ

Which schools qualify for the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship?

Bradley University in Peoria and Illinois State University in Normal are the two campuses named in public directories. You must be enrolled at one of them in an eligible manufacturing or industrial program when you apply.

How much is the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship worth?

Published SME Education Foundation listings show about $1,000 applied to tuition, fees, or books. Treat the offer letter as the final number if you win.

What is the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship deadline for 2027?

Apply through scholarships.smeef.org before 1 February 2027. SME opens the shared application on 1 November each year, and late files are not accepted.

Do I need a separate application for Chapter 31 Peoria?

No. You complete one SME Education Foundation application and the system routes you to every scholarship you qualify for, including Chapter 31 Peoria.

Does the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship require SME membership?

Membership is not an absolute requirement, but first preference goes to North Central Peoria Chapter 31 members and their spouses, children, or grandchildren. ICC transfers and SME Student Chapter members follow in the published preference order.

Can Illinois Central College transfers apply for Chapter 31 Peoria?

Yes, if you transfer into Bradley or Illinois State with a 3.0 GPA and an eligible major. ICC transfers receive second preference after chapter families.

Is financial need required for the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship?

Need is not listed as a primary filter in fund descriptions. Selection focuses on major fit, GPA, and the published preference order.

Where do I apply for the Chapter 31 Peoria Scholarship?

Use https://scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ when the cycle is open. Background on SME Foundation scholarships lives at smeef.org, and questions go to [email protected].

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