Applications for the 2024-25 school year are being accepted until May 10.

$4,000 scholarships, renewable through college, will be awarded by CCH in June 2024 to at least five graduating seniors who experienced homelessness while in high school.

Eligibility

Any of the following students are eligible to apply:

A high school senior who will graduate from a Chicago or suburban high school during the 2023-24 school year, by June 2024 –OR– a youth leader who is active with CCH or former youth client of the CCH Law Project, regardless of immigration status, no older than age 24 as of May 10, 2024.

Every applicant must have:

  • Experienced homelessness, living in a shelter, on the street, in a car, or other public place, or doubled-up in someone else’s home. This must be verified on a certification form signed by the applicant’s homeless school liaison or a service/shelter provider.
  • Been admitted to or enrolled in an accredited 2-year or 4-year public or private college or university for the 2024-25 school year as of May 10, 2024. Scholarships will not be awarded to attend for-profit schools.
  • A cumulative, weighted high school or college GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Filed a completed FAFSA (standard college financial aid form) application by May 10, 2024, unless student applying cannot apply for FAFSA because of immigration status. FAFSA can be accessed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Application Procedure

Applications must be fully completed and received by May 10, 2024 at 5 p.m. Application forms can be submitted online. An electronic or paper version of the application is also available. Typed answers are strongly preferred. If submitting a paper application electronically, please submit in PDF format. Do not write essay answers that are longer than the listed word limits.

In addition to submitting the application form, all of the following materials must also be received via email or mail by May 10, 2024 at 5 p.m.:

  • A copy of the student’s 4-year high school transcript and/or a college transcript.
  • Completed background information section and answers to all essay questions.
  • Using our recommendation form, supply two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant’s abilities, accomplishments, and potential. One recommendation must be from a teacher, or other school personnel. The other recommendation does not need to be connected to school, as long as it is not a relative or friend. Recommendations must be signed, and on school/organization letterhead.
  • Using our certification form, the applicant’s homeless or formerly homeless status must be verified by a homeless school liaison or service/shelter provider.
  • Documentation of any other scholarships/financial aid received to date (if applicable).

Please email materials to Christy Beretta at christy@chicagohomeless.org. 

Materials can also be mailed to the following address: 

CCH Scholarship Committee
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
70 E. Lake St., Suite 720
Chicago, IL 60601

Selection Process and Timeline

Application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of college graduates who have previously won the CCH scholarship.

Five to six new winners will be selected using a rubric designed by the selection committee. Finalists will be invited for a second stage interview. Winners will be announced by mid-June.