The DFSS CSBG Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible individuals in Chicago pursuing their higher education goals. Students enrolled in full-time for the 2024 Fall semester in any Illinois college, university, or vocational training program are eligible to apply. The funds may be used to cover tuition and institutional fees. We encourage all income-eligible students attending any post-secondary institution to apply.
Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 for income-eligible residents.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be a City of Chicago resident.
- Must be enrolled as a full-time student in an Illinois Educational Institution for the entire fall semester of 2024.
- Must have an e-mail address to apply. If you do not have an e-mail address, you will need to create one before applying.
- Must provide an official educational institution transcript to validate your full-time enrollment for the entire 2024 fall semester/quarter.
- Must demonstrate academic achievement, career potential and educational motivation.
- Must meet income eligibility requirements (see table below)
| 2024 Annual & 1-Month Maximum Income Levels Section, as follows: | ||
| Household Size | Maximum 1- Month Income | Maximum Annual Income |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| *For family units with more than 8 members, add $10,760 for each additional member to arrive at yearly amounts for 200%. | ||
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR APPLICATION:
- Official Transcripts
- Acceptance Letter for Newly Enrolled Students
- Proof of All Family/Household Member’s Income for June of 2024 (June 1, 2024-June 30, 2024)
- Current Financial Aid Awards or a Written Statement Why You are Not Eligible for Financial Aid
- Proof of Chicago Residency – Legible Copy of Illinois Driver’s License of Illinois State ID
- Copies of Illinois Driver’s License of Illinois State ID for All Family/Household Members
- Copies of Social Security Cards for All Family/Household Members
- Minimum 300-Word Personal Essay
- Letter of Recommendation on Letterhead and Signed
ESSAY TOPICS
- Reflecting on your unique personal qualities, how do you envision them influencing your future career? Provide specific examples of how these traits could propel you on your professional journey.
- Discuss a transformative personal experience that has significantly influenced your personal growth or altered your perspective. How has this experience shaped your career aspirations?
- Describe a specific instance when you assumed a leadership role during a challenging situation. What were the circumstances, your actions, and the outcomes? How did this experience enhance your leadership skills?
- What are your long-term goals in your academic and professional journeys? Discuss how your current endeavors are paving the way toward achieving these aspirations.
Click Here to Apply for the CSBG Scholarship
CSBG Training Webinars on YouTube
Applications open – July 29, 2024
Applications due – September 6, 2024
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