Empowering Your Educational Journey
Welcome to the Chicago Urban League Scholarship Hub. We believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of academic excellence or professional ambition. Whether you are a student ready to apply for the upcoming cycle, an alumnus celebrating your success, or a donor looking to invest in the next generation of leaders, you have come to the right place.
Explore our scholarship opportunities, discover external resources, or learn how you can establish a legacy through a memorial gift. Together, we are building a stronger future, one scholar at a time.
2027 Scholarship Applications Are Now Open
Apply by February 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Choose the application that matches your student status.
Our awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 to help ease the cost of college and support your academic journey.
General eligibility criteria
- Residency: Must be a permanent resident of the Chicagoland area.
- Academic standing: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Financial need: Must demonstrate financial need.
- Mentorship: Willingness to accept an internship or mentorship opportunity, if applicable.
- Reporting: Willingness to provide updates on college experiences and academic progress to the Chicago Urban League and scholarship funders.
- Attendance: Must be available to attend the annual Scholarship Award Ceremony in June 2027.
Student status requirements
- High school seniors: Expecting to graduate this year and enroll in a full-time undergraduate or trade/career training program.
- Transfer students: Completing a two-year college program and planning to enroll in a degree-granting or accredited trade program at a four-year or vocational institution.
- Undergraduates: Currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or trade/career training program.
More Opportunities for Success
Beyond our internal awards, we have curated a list of external scholarships from trusted partners and community organizations. Explore additional funding opportunities that can help bridge the gap in your educational expenses.
Invest in a Student’s Potential
Your generosity can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Whether you are an individual or a corporation, we offer flexible sponsorship tiers, ranging from direct donations to full involvement in the selection process. Join us in making higher education accessible for all.
Honor a Legacy. Change a Life.
Turn a loved one’s memory into higher education opportunities for Chicago students.
“The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.”
William James
Honoring the memory of a loved one, friend, or esteemed colleague through education is a powerful tribute. We help individuals and companies establish memorial scholarships that celebrate a life well lived by empowering a student’s future. Their legacy can live on through education.
Keep their story alive through education
Honor parents, mentors, veterans, or loved ones by funding scholarships that reflect their passions, from arts and athletics to community service.
Perfect for honoring
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Children
- Siblings
- Friends
- Teachers
- Coaches
- Veterans
- Community Leaders
Create a legacy. Inspire hope. Invest in the future.
Questions? Email scholarships@chiul.org or call 773-285-5800.
Athletes Investing in the Next Generation
Play It Forward
“You Made It. Now Help Someone Else Make It.”
Turn your NIL success into life-changing college scholarships for Black youth.
Be part of a bigger legacy
Play It Forward is the athlete-led pathway of the Chicago Urban League’s Legacy Scholarship Initiative, connecting current sports leaders with the next generation of academic achievers.
100% tax-deductible. All contributions directly support student scholarships through the Chicago Urban League.
Get involved
Whether you are a collegiate or professional athlete, agency, or collective, your platform can create lasting generational impact.
Ready to play it forward? Email scholarships@chiul.org or call 773-285-5800.
Together, we can invest in today to transform tomorrow.
Scholarship Award Ceremony, June 26, 2026
Meet the 2026 Scholars
43 students. 6 sponsors. One message from each of them: thank you.
This summer we celebrated our newest class of scholars and the partners who made their awards possible. Each recipient shared a note for the sponsor behind their scholarship. Open any card to read it.
ComEd 5 scholars
Darrion Phelps
Read their message
Thank you for selecting me. I am honored and grateful for your support. This scholarship will help me attend Mount St. Mary’s University while easing the financial burden on my mom. Your investment in my education means so much to me. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my future.
McKenzie James
Read their message
I want to extend my sincere thanks to ComEd and the Chicago Urban League for your generous support of my academic journey. As Malcolm X said, “Education is our passport to the future.” Your generosity has helped provide that passport, and I am grateful for the opportunity to move forward with confidence.
Michael Brown
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Thank you to ComED for rewarding me with the ComEd Scholarship through the Urban League.
Oisín Curry
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Thank you for your donation, I hope to make you proud of your decision to donate!
Trinity Montgomery
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You are where you are today because you have survived everything life has thrown at you. Let your strength remind you that your journey is not over.
Maya Angelou
Barilla 10 scholars
Colin Faulkner
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My family and I sincerely thank you for your generosity and belief in students like me. Receiving the Barilla Scholarship through the Chicago Urban League means more than financial support: it is a reminder that hard work and perseverance are valued. Thank you for investing in me.
Jihad Arnold
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Thank you for investing in my future through this scholarship. Your generosity not only eases the financial burden of college but also motivates me to continue pursuing my goals in architecture and community development. I am deeply grateful for your support and belief in students like me.
Joshua Terry
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Thank you for investing in my education and future. Your generosity is opening doors to opportunities that will help me grow, achieve my goals, and give back to my community.
Lawrence Nalls
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“To whom much is given, much is required.” Thanks for believing in me and awarding me the Barilla Scholarship. Your generosity will be used to help defray my senior year educational expenses at Morehouse College.
Leon Stewart
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I am truly grateful for this opportunity. Thank you for believing in students like me and helping make my educational journey and future goals more possible.
Maurycy Pedroza
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I am truly honored to be selected as a Barilla Scholarship recipient. This support will allow me to continue my academic journey into my final year at Iowa State University. Thank you for investing in students like me and making this opportunity possible.
Nasir Muhammad
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Don’t inspire to make a living, inspire to make a difference.
Denzel Washington
Nia Mcgowan
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I am truly honored and grateful for this opportunity. Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me and will greatly support my educational goals and future aspirations. Thank you, Barilla.
Tremayne Russell
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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Tristan Davis
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Thank you for your generous gift and investment in my education. This scholarship puts me one step closer to turning my goals into reality.
OneMain Financial 5 scholars
Madison Nero
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Thank you for investing in my education! Your support means that I can spend my college career focusing on my academics and activities. My heart is full of gratitude!!
Oluwadarasimi Olusoga
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Thank you OneMain Financial for supporting me on my journey to post secondary education. I appreciate you all believing in my potential to impact my community.
Quincy O'Neal-Smith
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Thank you, OneMain Financial, for your generous support. This scholarship will help me pursue my educational goals, and I am truly grateful for your investment in my future.
Savannah Lyons
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Thank you so much for this scholarship award! I am extremely grateful for your kindness and generosity. This scholarship will help reduce my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and excelling in my first year of college as a Biology Major at Alabama A&M University.
Valerie Anderon-Jones
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Thank you for giving this scholarship opportunity to me. Your support brings me one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer and building a successful future.
Metro Board of the Chicago Urban League 3 scholars
Byron Guzman
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This donation made has gone an extremely long way as I look to complete my journey in school. I couldn't be more grateful for those to extend this opportunity to myself, and I will do nothing more than continue to make their investment worthwhile!
Kiara Reid
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Your kind gestures allow students like me to continue to excel academically and ensure a greater good for communities! Thank you.
Reginald Rooks
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Thank you so much for choosing me for this opportunity. Also putting so much faith & words of encouragement into when needed during my interview. It truly meant the world to me.
Jack and Jill of America, Chicago Chapter 5 scholars
Gregory Mitchel
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Thank you for this investment in my future. I'm heading to Dartmouth to study computer science, and I plan to use every opportunity I'm given to build things that give back to communities like the one that raised me. Your generosity makes that possible.
Jalen Boyd
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I want to give a special thank you to the Chicago Chapter of Jack & Jill of America for your endorsement and belief in my academic aspirations. Your support recognizes the hard work I’ve put in over the past four years and motivates me to excel in the next chapter of my life. I am deeply appreciative of this opportunity and will make the most of your generosity.
Joshua Ogundipe
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I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Jack & Jill. Without your support I don’t know how I would’ve afforded college. Because of your contribution, I can go to college without worrying about financial issues.
Jemani Bonaparte
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Thank you so much for investing in my future and believing in my potential. Your generosity will help me pursue my education at Howard University and continue striving to make a positive impact in my community. I am truly grateful for your support.
Rodd Giddens
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I would like to thank Chicago Urban League and their partner Jack and Jill of America. I'm grateful to these organizations for investing in the community and investing in the youth. I am forever thankful and will definitely pay it forward.
Women's Board of the Chicago Urban League 15 scholars
Autumn Crumpton
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Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. To be able to receive this scholarship to further my education and reduce my family’s costs means the world to me. I am beyond grateful and appreciate you for choosing me to be a scholarship recipient.
Ayanna McCarthy
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Thank you for your support to continue my educational journey and mission to better the world as an engineer.
Chelsie Yanez
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Thank you so much for your generous support. Your encouragement means a great deal to me and is helping me move forward in my educational journey. I sincerely appreciate this opportunity.
Cheyenne Smith
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Thank you for your generous support of my educational journey. Your generosity not only eases the financial burden of college but also inspires me to work hard, give back to my community, and make a positive impact on the lives of others. I am truly grateful for your belief in me and for helping make my future possible.
Cree Hampton
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Thank you so much for believing in students like me and helping make opportunities like this possible. Receiving this scholarship through the Chicago Urban League means so much to me, and it reminds me that there are people who truly care about helping students like me reach their goals. Your generosity motivates me to keep working hard and make the most of this opportunity. I’m truly grateful for your support and kindness. Thank you
Dymond Samuels
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Nothing can dim the light which shines from within
Maya Angelou
Hillary Davis
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Thank you for investing in my education and future. Your generosity is helping me pursue my goals at Spelman College and continue making a difference through leadership, service, and advocacy. I am truly grateful for your support and belief in students like me.
Jayana Monroe
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Thank you for this opportunity. Receiving this scholarship means so much to me and will help me pursue my educational goals at North Carolina A&T State University. I am truly grateful for your investment in my future and for believing in students like me.
Kamsyolisa Okeke
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Thank you for providing me the opportunity to receive this scholarship. Given the circumstances of today’s world, funding an education cost way too much, so I would like to thank you for blessing me with this scholarship.
Mari'el Curb
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Thank you so much for believing in me and pushing me one step closer to my goal of being a world class engineer. I appreciate everything.
Peyton Miller
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Thank you to the Chicago Urban League and donors for investing in my education and future. Your support inspires me to continue striving for excellence, creating opportunities for others, and making a positive impact in my community and beyond.
Peyton Norris
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Thank you for your generous support and belief in my future. Your scholarship is helping me achieve my educational goals, and I am truly grateful.
Shanel Brown
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To my scholarship donor, thank you for believing in my future and investing in my dreams. Your generosity brings me one step closer to becoming a nurse and making a difference in the lives of others.
Taylor Baymon
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Thank you for your generous support and investment in my future. This scholarship brings me one step closer to achieving my educational goals. I am deeply grateful for your belief in my potential and your commitment to student success.
Zoe Goodwin
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Perhaps you were born for a time such as this
Esther 4:14
Are you a past scholar with news to share, or a sponsor who wants to connect with your recipients? Email scholarships@chiul.org or call 773-285-5800.
