Mary Rohrscheib Teaching Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Onward Injury Law

The Mary Rohrscheib Teaching Scholarship honors the life and work of Josh’s grandmother, Mary Rohrscheib — a devoted Central Illinois teacher who spent her career helping students grow. What began as a personal tribute has become an annual tradition: awarding $1,000 scholarships (multiple recipients each year) to students preparing for careers in education. This fund keeps Mary’s values alive by investing in the next generation of teachers.

Why this matters
Great teachers change lives. Mary’s classroom was built on patience, kindness, and the expectation that every student can do more than they imagine. We believe the best way to honor that legacy is to support students who plan to give that same kind of encouragement and care to future learners. Behind every successful student is often a teacher who made them feel seen — that’s the kind of work this scholarship seeks to reward.

Who can apply
- Current high school seniors, college students, or graduate students who are residents of Illinois and will be enrolled in a 2–5 year postsecondary program for the upcoming fall semester.
- Preference will be given to applicants from Central Illinois.
- Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and be in good academic standing.
- The following people are not eligible: employees who work with Josh Rohrscheib and their immediate family members (parent, child, sibling, spouse), and anyone living in the same household as those employees (related or not).

Application requirements
To be considered, submit all of the following:
1. A 750–1,000 word essay describing the impact of a special teacher in your life and the lessons you plan to carry into your own teaching career.
2. A professional résumé listing academic and relevant work or volunteer experience.
3. A transcript from your current school. First-year college students, graduate students, and recent transfers may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school plus the most recent official transcript from their previous school.

A final note from a teacher
If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, this scholarship is meant for students who are serious about making a difference in the classroom. When you write your essay, be specific — tell a story that shows how a teacher changed you and how you intend to pass that change on. We look forward to reading your application and supporting the next generation of educators.