The Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (SDCCW), an affiliate of the National Council of Catholic Women, is again offering leadership scholarships that recognize outstanding female high school seniors.

Four $500 scholarships will be awarded to applicants who exemplify SDCCW's mission values of leadership, faith and service, said Mary Ann Scopel, scholarship chair. This is the 16th year that scholarships such as these have been offered, she said.

Each parish office and high school counselor in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has been sent application information. Any interested young woman who is a Catholic senior in high school should contact the office of their parish or school counselor for an application form.

Completed cover sheet, resume and letters of recommendation are required and application paperwork must be postmarked by March 30, 2016. All requirement and mailing information is listed on the application forms.

The SDCCW will select the four scholarship winners who will be notified by May 1. Winners and their families will be guests at the annual convention in Effingham in September. Results of the scholarship will also be published in an upcoming issue of Catholic Times.

SDCCW has been active in promoting the Catholic faith throughout the deaneries and parish Councils of Catholic Women of the Springfield diocese. The SDCCW is composed of the Springfield, Alton, Decatur, Effingham, Litchfield, Jacksonville and Quincy deaneries.

For additional information on the scholarship competition, contact Mary Ann Scopel at (217) 835-2505 or email .