Governors State University 2025
Teaching the Future
of Will County
Governors State University
Amount Awarded: $2,500,000
The Will County HEROES Teaching & Nursing Scholarship is igniting a new generation of heroes by providing $10 million in funding for teaching and nursing students who live in Will County and expect to work at Will County education or health care institutions after graduation.
Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Will County provided $2.5 Million to each higher education partner for the scholarship program: Governors State University, University of St. Francis, Lewis University, and Joliet Junior College.
With the help of The Will County HEROES Teaching and Nursing Scholarship, Governor’s State University (GovState) has been helping the heroes of tomorrow pursue an education. GovState has awarded $508,956 in scholarships to 141 nursing and teaching students. They have also celebrated four graduations, helping those students connect with local employment opportunities.
Will County’s HEROES Scholarship provides a financial bridge for students seeking degrees in the two disciplines that form a critical foundation of our society – education and nursing. In becoming teachers and nurses, GovState graduates will shore up two areas disproportionately impacted across the Southland and throughout Illinois.
Total Funds Expended to Date
Total Students Enrolled to Date
Total Students Graduated to Date
“While attending Governors State University, I was lucky enough to be awarded the Will County Heroes Grant. Getting this grant has helped remove the stress that comes with paying for college. This grant allowed me to focus more time on school and less time working, therefore resulting in a near 4.0 GPA at GovState. Without this grant, I would have been forced to work full-time, in addition to competing in school athletics and participating in the classes themselves. This grant allowed me the financial flexibility to take more classes each term, in turn, finishing earlier and getting into the workforce sooner.”