About

The Dream Free Scholarship was established in 2022 to honor the memory and generous spirit of Alfredo Rios Jr. Alfredo, also known as Fredo or Free, worked in the collision repair industry for over three decades and spent his final years as a Collision Repair Instructor at the College of Lake County (CLC). Teaching, mentoring, and giving back to the industry he loved was at the heart of who he was.

This scholarship supports CLC students enrolled in the Automotive Collision Repair Program, offering hope to those facing financial challenges and giving them the opportunity to pursue their education and dreams.

  • Make a direct contribution through the CLC Foundation. Enter your donation amount and select Dream Free Endowment Scholarship from the designation field.

  • This scholarship supports College of Lake County (CLC) students enrolled in the Automotive Collision Repair Program.

  • Students apply for CLC Foundation scholarships online through the College of Lake County website at www.clcillinois.edu.

    1. Log in to the CLC student portal using their CLC username and password.

    2. Complete the General Scholarship Application, which automatically matches them to all scholarships they are eligible for based on their academic program, GPA, financial need, and other criteria.

    3. Submit any additional required items (short essays, recommendation letters, or supplemental documents, if needed).

    4. Submit the application by the posted deadline.

    Once submitted, applications are reviewed by the CLC Financial Aid Department. Selected students are notified via their CLC email with instructions on how to accept their award.

Dream Free Recipients

2025 Dream Free Recipient

Our first Dream Free recipient was Julio Silva, a dedicated student in the Collision Repair program. Julio has a deep passion for the art of restoring damaged cars and is committed to becoming a certified repair technician. Alongside his coursework, he works mornings in a collision shop, supports his mom and grandmother, and volunteers with his family at Feed My Starving Children. He recently earned his first certificate in Damage Analysis at CLC, an important step toward his career goals. Julio expressed that without this scholarship, it would have been difficult for him to continue his education, and he is truly grateful for the support.

2026 Dream Free Recipient

CLC is currently in the process of selecting the 2026 Dream Free Scholarship recipient.