# Crystal Charitable Fund

> Up to $4,000 from Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Rolling deadline.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/crystal-charitable-fund
- Provider: Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation (Foundation)
- Award: Up to $4,000
- Deadline: Rolling deadline
- State list: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/il
- Official page: https://oprfcf.org/enrichment-grants/
- Last verified by CollegesRef: Nov 6, 2026

## About this scholarship

The Crystal Charitable Fund, administered by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, supports extended educational and cultural travel experiences away from home. The program is designed for youth from the Chicago area aged 13 to 19 years who come from low income households. Eligible applicants must be in good academic standing and have no history of prior extended, independent travel away from home. Funding is restricted to trips that are at least two weeks long, and it cannot be used for school trips or travel with family or friends. 

The grant provides up to $4,000 per student. To demonstrate financial need, families must submit documents showing they meet the program's income criteria. This process operates independently of the FAFSA or state financial aid applications. Applications must be initiated online by an adult sponsor, such as a teacher, mentor, or counselor, rather than the student. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but they must be submitted at least six weeks before travel begins.

## Who can apply

- Residents of: IL
- Education level: High school student
- Limited to youth from the Chicago area aged 13 to 19 years from low income households. Must be in good academic standing with no previous extended, independent travel away from home. School trips and trips with family or friends are not eligible. Trips must be at least two weeks long.

## How to apply

A sponsor such as a teacher, counselor, or mentor must initiate and submit the application online on behalf of the student, and the student's family must complete a separate financial need component.

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## Explore Illinois

- [Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/state/illinois)
- [Illinois scholarships and grants](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/il)

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