Applications are available online for our 2017 college scholarships, renewable $2,500 awards given by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless to graduating high school seniors who experienced homelessness.
Due by Friday, April 14, the application requires two letters of reference and certification signed by a school homeless liaison.
Because of this week’s CPS spring break, students and faculty have until Monday, April 17 to submit a supplementary document, such as an applicant’s grade report, teacher recommendation, or liaison certification. But a student’s own application, with essay questions, must be submitted by April 14.
Who’s eligible to apply? Graduating seniors from Chicago and suburban schools who were homeless at some point while attending high school, as verified by the student’s school. This includes unaccompanied youth who were living on their own without a parent or guardian. Youth leaders, to age 22, who are active with CCH also are eligible. Up to five new recipients will be selected.
Following interviews, scholarships will be presented during an awards event in late June.
To showcase the promise and tenacity of aspiring college students who lived with homelessness while in high school, our Law Project created the scholarship program in 2004. The program was the next step for a legal aid program that focuses its casework on helping homeless students and youth. Patricia Rivera, then director of the Chicago Public Schools’ Homeless Education Program, collaborated with CCH in creating the scholarship, and was the first of the private donors and funders to support the scholarships.
CCH scholarships are funded by private donations given to the program, and from the Osa Foundation, Susan W. Pearson Memorial Fund, and the Student Alliance for Homeless Youth.
For further information, please contact Roberto Martinez of the Law Project.