At Chicago Scholars, we’re committed to helping students graduate debt-free or with as little student debt as possible, allowing them to get the best start in their journey after undergrad. Through partnerships with incredible individual and corporate Scholarship providers, our Scholars have access to life-changing opportunities as they matriculate to and through college.
Through our longstanding partnership with The Renaissance Foundation, we’ve worked to connect students to the the foundation’s Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP), created in 2005. RSP focuses on providing renewable college scholarships to talented first-generation students with significant financial need.
Check out a reflection from Fatma Dia, a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Class of 2029 Scholar, who was a recipient of the Renaissance Scholarship:
“Hello, beautiful people. My name is Fatma Dia. I am an undergraduate freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I major in Neuroscience on the Pre-med track. Today, I have the opportunity to speak about my journey in college as a Renaissance Scholarship Recipient. As a Senegalese first-gen scholar, I understand how hard the financial part of college is and that is why I am so grateful for the Renaissance Scholarship, along with the support of Chicago Scholars, it has significantly eased that burden and allowed me to focus more fully on my academic and personal growth.
College has been an unforgettable journey so far—one filled with self-discovery, new experiences, and challenges. Having financial support has made it possible for me to pursue these opportunities without constant stress. As a Chicago Scholar, I encourage you all to apply to all of the scholarships that you qualify for because you never know what can happen. I am incredibly grateful to Renaissance and Chicago Scholars for investing in my future and supporting me every step of the way.
I wish you all good luck on your application and I’m rooting for you :)”
Interested in applying to for the Renaissance Scholars Program? Applications are due May 1st! Click here to learn more.
