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Scholarships 101

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As part of Chicago Scholars, students in our program have access to a host of exclusive scholarship opportunities and resources.

With March deadlines quickly approaching—we want to remind everyone of these scholarship opportunities, which are only open for students in Chicago Scholars or which favor participation in Chicago Scholars in order to apply. If you are a Chicago Scholar or know a Scholar, please take advantage of these excellent opportunities and consider an application today.

To find scholarships that would be a great match, please take a look at our flowchart. Read below to learn more from previous recipients of these and other scholarships that you will find linked on our webpage.

Check out our Scholarships for Chicago Scholars page for application links and more information about these and other exciting scholarships!

SCHOLAR TESTIMONIALS

“The Elevating Futures Scholarship has really given me the opportunity to focus on my academics as an engineering student at Purdue University while keeping the stress of financial burdens low my first year of college. I am grateful the EF scholarship caters to STEM majors and allows us to expose ourselves as scholars to our communities. This is a scholarship for anyone passionate about making a difference in the world through innovation and hard work. I definitely encourage fellow STEM students to apply!” —Chicago Scholar Sabine Hernandez

“The Elevating Futures Scholarship has really helped me by supporting me financially and enabling me to further pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management at Loyola University Chicago!” —Chicago Scholar Axel Hernandez

“To be a part of the Wentchner Scholars Program, it means being someone who’s passionate about learning, and not just learning, but using that knowledge for good, and making sure you give back to the community. This program definitely helps me mend the financial gap that was going to lead me to having to take out loans when it came to choosing a school.” —Chicago Scholar Julia Bafia

“Because of the Renaissance Scholarship, I get to focus on my studies and other school opportunities instead of having to worry about loans.” —Chicago Scholar Peter Podobinski

“Howard was my first choice, but I was almost unable to go because of financial restrictions. Then I got the Renaissance Scholarship which took a weight off. I decided on Howard an hour before the decision deadline, and I’m really happy I did!” —Chicago Scholar Kayla Cain

If you are a Scholar with a question about CS Scholarships, or if you are interested in sponsoring a scholarship for our students, please contact us at scholarships@chicagoscholars.org.

CEO Jeffery Beckham Jr.’s Story: “Moving toward the top job can be a real challenge.”

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At Chicago Scholars, we believe that diversity is critical for the success of our organization. Reading the recent stories about Brian Flores, the former Miami Dolphins head coach who is suing the NFL for hiring discrimination, we were reminded of the issues within our own world: the lack of diversity among nonprofit leaders.

Our CEO, Jeffery Beckham Jr., recently wrote an article for NonProfit PRO that touches on the importance of diverse perspectives within an organization. Check it out!

8 Tips for Working and Learning at Home

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READ ON FOR TIPS ON HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO VIRTUAL WORK AND LEARNING

As people around the globe practice social-distancing measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus, many workplaces and schools have closed their doors and transitioned their employees and students to virtual work and learning. If you’re new to remote work, you may need to change some of your habits and routines to adapt to this new normal.

Remote work can come with unique challenges depending on your preferred work style, home space, available technology, and need for interpersonal connection. Even with its challenges, working from home offers unique opportunities to develop healthy boundaries between your personal and professional lives, build a sense of culture between classmates and colleagues, and maintain a growth mindset. Below are 8 tips for having a more fulfilling and productive remote working and learning experience.

FOLLOW A SET WORK SCHEDULE

When working from home, it’s easy to both under- and over-work. Setting and adhering to a predetermined schedule, including a start and end time, will help you segment your day and align your tasks and priorities accordingly. One of our College Scholars, Jeanpierre, recommends setting alarms to remind you of when you have scheduled classes and meetings.

KEEP YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Even though you are not leaving your home, following your normal routine will help you get into a work-ready mindset. Adhering to a normal schedule can be beneficial to mental health and provide an anchor amidst continued uncertainty. We recommend you set an alarm, shower, dress up, and eat a hearty breakfast to jumpstart your day.

DESIGNATE A WORKSPACE

When working from home it’s important to identify a space where you can focus and get things done. This may be challenging in the current pandemic, especially for those who live in a full house with others who may be competing for internet bandwidth, meeting space, and in need of care. However, it’s still important to identify a space that can be yours and that you associate with productivity. It’s best to not confuse your work and leisure spaces and to keep the area clean as you would in the office or classroom.

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS

It’s important to be open and honest with your supervisors and professors about the challenges you may face working from home. For example, you might now be responsible for childcare or eldercare and may be unable to meet deadlines or work at the same schedule you normally do. It’s okay and healthy to state what your needs are during this time. As long as you are upfront about your situation, you, your colleagues, and/or your classmates can plan accordingly.

SCHEDULE BREAKS AND TIME FOR SPECIFIC TASKS

Know your organization’s or classroom’s policy on scheduled break times and take them. It’s best to not spend more than 15-20 minutes looking at your computer or phone at one time. Stretch, eat, socialize with friends, and exercise if you are able. Try apps like SmartBreak for Windows or TimeOut for Mac to schedule computer lock-out periods to ensure you are taking breaks! If your gym has been closed due to nationwide shutdowns, see if they are offering virtual or on-demand fitness classes.

TAKE YOUR SICK DAYS

Put your health first! It’s easy to work through sickness when you are remote. However, if you are feeling unwell, whether it is related to coronavirus or not, it’s important to give yourself time and space for a speedy recovery.

Meet the Scholar: Olivia Villarreal, Class of 2011

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Class of 2011
Benito Juarez Community Academy High School

Chicago Scholars was one of the first communities I joined.  They made my community grow larger, which transformed me into a college bound Scholar, and ultimately drove me full speed towards the future. The organization not only provided me with financial support, but also helped me with the college application process through mentorship and networking and career development. Being the first person in my family to go to college was very difficult since I did not have anyone at home to share their college experience and process with me. Chicago Scholars gave me the opportunity to embrace my educational and career goals regardless of my challenges.

Chicago Scholars has a way of making you feel so cared about and free to visit anytime you need them.  The program is designed to train every student to prepare them for school, but essentially, life as well. When I first went away to college, instead of feeling alone, I knew Chicago Scholars was always there with me and still is. As a young employee, I am now able to share my experiences with my community, including reaching out to incoming scholars through mentoring.

Chicago Scholars helped me plan each step of my education which has provided me with the confidence and courage to face the challenges of the real world after college.  Every day since I left for college as a scholar, my life has been blessed with opportunities that have sculpted who I am today. Since the very first workshop, the organization has trained me to be the best student, employee, and human being I can be. Chicago Scholars has always been my pillar of hope, and being a mentor is my way of saying thank you to my Chicago Scholars community for all of their hard work and for caring about the future of Chicago.