Current teachers who are taking graduate-level courses in early education can apply for the Bonnie McBeth Early Learning Scholarship program to help with financial support.

 Any teacher, both in and out of District 202, can apply for the scholarship. Applications are due by Sept. 16.

 Applications are available on the front page of the District's Web site, www.psd202.org under the "News" and "Announcements" sections.

The winner will receive $1,500 to help with program costs associated with a university of certified early childhood program. The money can be used to reimburse already-incurred expenses, with proof of enrollment and payment to an approved program.

The prize must be used any time during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, so by June 30, 2012.

Winners and applicants can re-apply annually.

The scholarship recipients will be received by Sept. 30.

 The scholarship was created in 2007, after McBeth, who was the district's first kindergarten teacher, retired for education in 1994.

In 2001, the district named its new preschool/early childhood program the Bonnie McBeth Learning Center. McBeth donated $25,000 to endow the scholarship, which is administered by the Foundation for Excellence.

For more information, call Tom Hernandez, District 202 director of community relations  at (815) 577-4008.