Farmers State Bank Trust Services to award scholarships

By Editor | February 17, 2026 |

Farmers State Bank Trust Services has announced that scholarship applications are available for nine trust scholarship funds for 2026. With over 50 years of continuous and successful administration of scholarship programs, Farmers State Bank Trust Services has provided over $1,156,609 to Pike County Students.
The Helen & Forrest Baughman Educational Trust Scholarship Fund was created through the will of Mr. Forrest Baughman and is available to graduating seniors of Pittsfield High School/Pikeland Unit #10 in Pittsfield, Illinois. Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in the healthcare field. The recipients are selected by the Pikeland School Board Scholarship Selection Committee, based on character, scholarship, financial need, leadership, service to his or her high school and earnestness and desire of the student for further educational advancement.
The Barnes Scholarship Fund, established under the will of Ellen Barnes, is available to graduating seniors of Pittsfield High School who have participated in band and/or chorus or IHSA music contests each of the four years of high school. Applicants must be planning to attend a two or four year college, pursuing any field of study. Additional funds will be awarded each of the next three years, provided the student sends a copy of their transcript, indicating that they are in good standing. The recipient is selected by the Pikeland School Board Scholarship Selection Committee.
The Earle Seaborn Scholarship Fund was established under the will of Delma Seaborn Mink, who taught in various Pike County Schools. This scholarship is available to Pike County, Illinois, high school seniors, and preference will be given to those attending a leading university in Illinois, pursuing any field of study. Recipient will be selected by the Superintendents of Pike County Schools, based on financial need, scholarship, leadership, service to his or her high school, character, and earnestness and desire for educational advancement.
The Cox Scholarship Trust was established under the will of William H.H. and Edith Cox. Recipients must attend a college or university supported by the State of Illinois, pursuing any field of study. A recipient from each of the graduating classes of Pleasant Hill CUSD #3 and Pikeland CUSD #10 will be selected annually for these scholarships by their respective school board scholarship selection committee. Selection is based on financial need, scholarship, leadership ability, character, and desire for educational advancement. Additional funds will be awarded to these recipients each of the next three years if they continue in a college or university supported by the State of Illinois.
The Glen & Ada Schnepf Scholarship was established under the will of Glen & Ada Schnepf. Recipients must attend a college or university supported by the State of Illinois, pursuing any field of study. A recipient from each of the graduating classes of Pleasant Hill CUSD #3 and Pikeland CUSD #10 will be selected annually for these scholarships by their respective school board scholarship selection committee. Selection is based on financial need, scholarship, leadership ability, character, and desire for educational advancement. Additional funds will be awarded to these recipients each of the next three years if they continue in a college or university supported by the State of Illinois.
The Geneva McRill Scholarship Fund is made available under the will of Geneva McRill. Applicants must be planning to pursue a medical doctor degree, law degree or ministerial degree. Preferences will be given to applicants planning to attend a college or university in the State of Illinois. Applicants must be graduating students of any Pike County, Illinois, high school. Recipients are selected by the Superintendents of Pike County Schools, based on character, scholarship, financial need, leadership, service to his or her high school and earnestness and desire of the student for further educational advancement.
The Hack-Miller Pike County Educational Trust Scholarship was established under the William Hack and Elizabeth Miller Family Educational Trust and is available to a Pike County, Illinois, graduating senior. Applicants can pursue any field of study. Recipient will be selected by the Hack-Miller Pike County Educational Trust Advisory Committee based on community service, leadership, character, academic achievement, job experience, and financial need.
The Lou Barnett Scholarship was established under the will of Lou S. Barnett in memory of her family and second deceased husband Donald C Barnett. Applicant must be a graduating student from Pikeland Unit #10, and attending a college or university supported by the State of Illinois pursuing any field of study. The recipient is selected by the Pikeland School Board Scholarship Selection Committees based on financial need, scholarship, leadership, service to his or her high school, character, and earnestness and desire for educational advancement.
The Louelle Mae Dixon Scholarship Fund was created through the will of Louelle Mae Dixon and is available to all graduating seniors of Pike County, Illinois, high schools. Applicants may attend any college or university in the U.S., pursuing any field of study. Recipients will be selected by the Superintendents of Pike County, based on the student’s financial need and necessity of assistance to acquire a college education, goodness of character, and scholastic achievement.
Applications for the above scholarships are available online at farmersstate.com/trust/scholarships or through guidance offices. Scholarship applications are due by March 20th. For more information on any of the scholarships, please contact the Farmers State Bank Trust Department at 217-285-6228.