Identifying and applying for scholarships takes a lot of time and effort, but we've compiled a few resources to make it just a little easier. Below you will also see some scholarship search strategies that alumni have shared with us.
The Chicago City Treasurer's Office is now accepting applications for our 2026 scholarship, a $5,000 one-time award for 2026 graduates. To be eligible, you must:
• Be a Chicago resident
• Be a CPS '26 graduate
• Be enrolled in an accredited college or university for Fall 2026
• Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or mentor
• Complete an essay prompt
For full details and to apply, visit chi.gov/ctoscholars.
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Compiled by CPS alumni themselves, this Alumni Scholarship Guide contains information about 100s of scholarships, including eligibility, deadline, and a link to the application. Click into the school specific tabs to find scholarships just for student currently enrolled at many of CPS's most common feeder schools like UIC, City College of Chicago (CCC), DePaul and many more!
Click here for a list of Undocumented Friendly Scholarships and Resources. Most merit-based scholarships are open to undocumented students, always look at a scholarship’s eligibility criteria before applying. If you are an eligible undocumented student attending college in Illinois, remember that you must renew your Alternative Application for each year of college.
Last Mile Education Fund invests in financially vulnerable college students pursuing a degree in tech and engineering majors from underrepresented backgrounds. They offer both Emergency and Gap funding opportunities for students within 4 semesters of graduating and a Last Mile award for those in their final 2 semesters
CPS Alumni have shared these tips for finding scholarships to help cover the cost of college:
Start with your own college: Connect with financial aid advisors, check you school's scholarship portals, and talk with professors/department chairs about potential "major" specific opportunities
Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn to follow companies / organizations in your field while also using Instagram (or Facebook) to follow your college, relevant companies, and scholarship sites
AI assisted scholarship searches: Use Gemini or Chat GPT to tailor your scholarship search to opportunities you're most eligible for