College Scholar Resources.
We are here to support your journey.
Financial Assistance
We encourage Scholars to explore and apply for the available grant and scholarship opportunities.
Funds are available to college Scholars experiencing an emergency or unexpected circumstance once a semester. There is no GPA requirement, but Scholars should be currently enrolled in their undergraduate program. Before applying, please read the first page of the application regarding eligible expenses. Any questions can be referred to the College Success Team: CollegeSuccess@chicagoscholars.org
Financial support provided to a college Scholar of any class-year for an educational or leadership experience including study abroad, an off-location internship, unpaid internship, research opportunity, or conference. This grant is offered on a rolling basis throughout the year and can only be applied for once during an academic year. Scholars applying for this grant must already be accepted into their educational or leadership experience in order to receive funding.
Thank you for interest in the Educational and Leadership Development Grant! Our ability to review and fund applications at this time is currently paused pending receipt of additional funds.
If you are interested in being added to our queue of applications to be considered once funding becomes available, please feel free to complete an application. We realize that completing an ELD application requires time and effort, so we appreciate the effort you would put into it and we hope that we will be able to review and consider your application for funding in the future.
We will notify all Scholars via the 10 Minute Tea newsletter once we are able to review applications again.
Financial support provided to a currently enrolled college Scholar as an opportunity to put their passions toward meaningful action, specifically projects related to Social Justice, Civic Engagement, and Leadership Engagement. This grant awards up to $5,000 and is offered on a rolling basis throughout the year. Scholars may submit both an individual grant application and an application as part of a Scholar group.
To learn about previous MJEWF Grant projects, download details here.
We encourage Scholars to explore and apply for the following scholarship opportunities, which are only open for students in Chicago Scholars or favor Chicago Scholars in their decision process.
PEER MENTORSHIP
Our Peer Mentor Program supports first year college students as they transition to life on campus. Through partnerships with Scholars from other class years, the program helps Scholars cultivate leadership opportunities, develop community and support networks, and share knowledge.
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open! Click here to apply.
YOUR ON-CAMPUS SUPPORT NETWORK
Your first year in college can be a whirlwind. It can be difficult to know where to go to seek resources and answers to your questions, or where to find a community, activities and opportunities.
Scholars are mentees while they are in their first year of college. They are matched with peer mentors either at their college or university, or at a similar institution in the same region, who are sophomores, juniors or seniors. By building relationships with other Scholars across class years, first-year Scholars can build a community and gain access to new information and support.
MENTEES ARE EXPECTED TO:
- Meet with their mentor at least once per month during the school year
- Be responsive and communicative with their mentor
- Be proactive and reach out to their mentor for support when needed
- Complete short monthly evaluations to provide feedback on meetings with their mentors
- Be committed – by signing up for the program, mentees are expected to utilize the resources offered to them and be active in the program throughout the school year
PROGRAM TIMELINE:
May: Rising college freshmen can sign up for a peer mentor through Team Lift
June/July: Team Lift trains mentors, and matches mentors with mentees
August: Mentees are introduced to their assigned mentor
August through May: Mentors meet with mentees once per month to check-in, offer guidance and support, and ensure mentees are having a great first year of college
CONTACT TEAMLIFT@CHICAGOSCHOLARS.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Application now open! Click here to apply.
REACH BACK AND GROW AS A LEADER
You remember your first year of college – it was exciting, fun and tough, and a bit overwhelming at times, too. If you are a sophomore, junior or senior in college, reach back to help a Scholar just starting their college journey for the first time.
Peer Mentors undergo training in order to coach their mentees through the academic & social challenges they may face during their first year of college. Peer Mentors are leaders on their campuses and passionate about providing support and guidance for the newest members of the Chicago Scholars family.
Peer Mentors make a one-year commitment to the program, but many decide to continue as Peer Mentors for their entire college career. Their role is key in helping to maintain personal connections to Scholars on campus. They serve as student liaisons and keep staff informed about campus challenges that may impact a Scholar’s ability to successfully persist and graduate from college.
PEER MENTORS ARE EXPECTED TO:
- Serve as a positive role model and resource for up to five college freshman mentees, either at their college or university or on another institution in the same region.
- Meet with their group of mentees at least once per month throughout the school year
- Participate in summer training
- Complete monthly evaluations to notify Team Lift of any challenges, concerns, or successes
- Commit approximately 3-4 hours per month to the role
- Mentors have access to funds to spend on outings and events with their mentees
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Rising sophomore, junior, senior, or 5+ year senior
- In good academic standing, 2.5 GPA and above preferred
- Enrolled at their college/university for the entire academic year
- Good interpersonal and communication skills; excellent time management skills; interest in building leadership skills
- Excellent follow-through and responsiveness – mentors must be able to commit to supporting five mentees throughout the entire school year
PROGRAM TIMELINE:
March/April: Scholars apply to be peer mentors; Team Lift reviews applications
May: Team Lift selects mentors and notifies mentors of their match types
July: Mentors are matched with mentees and attend training
August through May: Mentors meet with mentees once per month to check-in, offer guidance and support, and ensure mentees are having a great first year of college
CONTACT TEAMLIFT@CHICAGOSCHOLARS.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.