About the Chicago Scholarship Fund
The Chicago Scholarship Fund was established in 2021 as a response to the overwhelming need to assist graduating high school students who have a desire to further their education but are limited by financial challenges. In particular, the Fund seeks to support high-potential students who might not meet academic qualifications for many merit-based scholarships, but who demonstrate a desire to succeed. The Fund aims to help drive the transformation from education to career by providing students with support services and financial assistance that will allow them to graduate debt free.
Scholarship Benefits
- Renewable scholarship for full tuition, fees, and books, covering costs not covered by financial aid grants
- $2,000 stipend per semester for a total of $4,000 per academic year for students working less than 20 hours per week
- Peer support through membership in the Chicago Scholarship Cohort
- College Possible Coach who will support your success in the academic, financial, and social components of college
- Laptop loaned to students during the course of the program
- Paid summer internship opportunities
Who’s Eligible?
To be considered for the 2021-22 academic year, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a CPS graduate
- Must be a rising college freshman attending any of the City Colleges of Chicago or Chicago State University
- Must have an unweighted high school GPA of 2.0-3.5
- Must be affiliated with College Possible, the Chicago Urban League, or the Rise Program at Chicago State University
- Must be Pell-eligible
Undocumented students who meet the above criteria are eligible to apply.
Key Dates
- August 11: Application Deadline
- August 16: Finalists Notified
- August 17 – 19: Finalist Interviews
- August 24: Scholarship Recipients Notified
- Week of August 30: Cohort Orientation
Additional Requirements
Scholarship recipients must commit to:
- Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application or MAP* (Monetary Award Program) application as eligible
- Use scholarship money for tuition and books
- Stay in good academic standing
- If receiving the $4,000 stipend, work less than 20 hours per week during the academic year
- Attend monthly meetings with College Possible Coach
- If attending CSU, participate in Rise Academy
- Meet with CCC or CSU advisor at least once a year
- Sign FERPA waiver so transcripts, enrollment status, progress reports, and financial aid application status can be shared with college coach
- Participate in Chicago Scholarship Fund orientation
* MAP application applies only to undocumented students.
Apply
The Chicago Scholarship Fund was initially endowed with $5.2 million from the partners of Monroe Capital, LLC.
