Eligibility Criteria:

Scholarship is only for Chicago Public School students who meet the following requirements:

• Must be a United States citizen;
• Will graduate in June 2023 from a Chicago Public School high school.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application;
• Have demonstrated leadership ability through past/present participation in community service, extracurricular and/or other activities;
• Have fully completed the application in its entirety with original signatures, submitted on or before the deadline.

Letters of Recommendations – 2 Letters:

• One (1) letter of recommendation must be from a CPS instructor describing the student’s leadership and academic excellence.  
• One (1) letter of recommendation may be from a social worker, church or community leader, or an adult who has worked with the student in a community service capacity; describing the students role and leadership.
• Recommendations should explain why the student is worthy of the scholarship.
• Recommendations CANNOT be made by relatives.

Essay:

• Must submit a minimum 500- word essay. Essay must be typed, double space, in Times New Roman font, with 12 point font size.
• Required essay must address the following:
  • Identify three – five (3-5) prerequisites for success and explain in detail your personal philosophy for the pursuit of excellence.
  • Explain the obstacles or hardships you had to overcome on your journey to achieve academic success.
  • Explain why you wish to pursue a career in the trades industry and how this scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

Documentation to be submitted with application: 

• Official transcript from Chicago Public Schools;
• Submit one (1) written recommendation from the CPS instructor (cannot be a family member);
• Submit one (1) written community service recommendation (cannot be a family member);  
• Submit one (1) written essay – minimum of 500 words;
• Evidence of service learning (must indicate any school-based extracurricular involvement and/or community –service involvement.)