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.
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!
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
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.
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 your most eligible for