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Chicago Scholars helps Chicago students succeed from high school through careers.

Chicago Scholars is a nonprofit organization that helps Chicago high school students get into college, graduate, and launch meaningful careers. Through mentoring, college advising, financial support, and career development programs, Chicago Scholars supports thousands of first-generation and underrepresented scholars on their path to long-term success.

Impact

58% of Chicago Scholars Alumni earn more than their household income when they were in high school

86% of Chicago Scholars graduate with $40,000 or less in student loan debt, compared to 55% of Black students and 81% of Latinx students

76% of Chicago Scholars graduate within 6 years of college matriculation, compared to 56% of Chicago Public Schools alumni.

7,200+ Chicago Scholars since the first class in 1996

69% of Chicago Scholars Alumni return to Illinois after they finish college.

577 Scholars admitted to the Class of 2030, representing all 77 neighborhoods

Learn more about Chicago Scholars’ impact on our city and country

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FAQ

How does Chicago Scholars help students get into college?

Chicago Scholars provides personalized mentoring, college counseling, and college and scholarship application support for more than 900 Chicago high schoolers each year. Through partnerships with dozens of colleges nationwide, we ensure that every Scholar finds a college that meets their personal needs, is an academic match, and is a financial fit.

Who can apply for Chicago Scholars?

Chicago Scholars is open to juniors in high school who have a 3.0 GPA or higher and live and attend school within the Chicago city limits. Scholars typically will be the first in their family to go to college in the United States or come from a low-income household.

Some exceptions are possible — please contact us at highschool@chicagoscholars.org to learn more.

Can Chicago Scholars help me if I don’t meet the application requirements?

Yes! Chicago Scholars is proud to offer assistance for all students through our online learning platform, REACH. REACH gives free access to college access and career development quests to any student with a Gmail address.

Learn more at reachpathways.com.

Does Chicago Scholars offer scholarships?

Chicago Scholars has partnerships with colleges and scholarship providers that can help Scholars fund their education. We also offer assistance in finding and applying to third-party scholarships.

Through our program, over 80% of Scholars graduate with less than $40,000 in student loan debt.

What makes Chicago Scholars different from other programs?

Chicago Scholars offers long-term support—from high school through college and into careers—combining mentoring, advising, and career development. We offer support and programming that often lasts for seven years or longer.

After completing the Chicago Scholars program, Alumni join a network of nearly 8,000 Scholars and Alumni in industries and universities across the country.

Get Involved

Invest in our Work

We can’t build a brighter future for Chicago without the financial investment of our community. Join the thousands of Chicagoans who said yes to tomorrow’s leaders!

Invest Now

Become a Mentor

Mentors provide guidance during Scholars’ first two years in the program — and often become lifelong friends. Learn more about the application process here.

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Volunteer

Chicago Scholars holds several huge events every year, but we couldn’t pull them off without our volunteers. Learn how you can help out on these life-changing days here.

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Join Our Team

Want to join the Dream Team? Our staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and fields of study. Find our open full- and part-time positions here.

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Chicago Scholars

in Action

Our Scholars and Alumni are our strongest advocates. Learn more about our programming from the people who know it best.

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