Scholarships

Resources

There are countless online resources to help you find your best options for scholarships. Below are a few websites with huge databases of scholarships. This is just a starting point - you'll have to narrow down your options and find the best ones for you!

  • College Board: A comprehensive guide to just about everything you need to know on grants and scholarships.
  • Federal Student Aid: This website provides information on all of the federal grants offered by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Scholarships.com: A tool that lets you research millions of different scholarship options.
    • Other similar options include BigFuture, Cappex, and FastWeb - choose whichever you prefer; it's not necessary to use all four.
  • College Financial Aid Advice: This site offers tips and advice on applying for financial aid. Additionally, they have a page specifically for scholarships for Black/African-American students.
  • UNCF: The United Negro College Fund manages dozens of scholarships, including the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.

To get a brief overview of some popular scholarships, take a look at our Launch U Scholarships Resource.

Things to Consider

  • Does your GPA/ACT score meet the minimum requirement?
  • Some scholarships require involvement in certain clubs or activities. Have you participated in what they are looking for?
  • What is the deadline for applying?
  • What additional resources (e.g. letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.) are required?
  • How much time will you need to spend on this scholarship in order to produce a quality application?

For Backup: the STAR Scholarship (Chicago City Colleges)

  • Open to all students who graduate from CPS High Schools, regardless of US Citizenship
  • Covers 3 years tuition/Associate’s Degree at Chicago City Colleges (whichever comes first)
  • Minimum requirements:
    • 3.0 unweighted composite GPA
    • Minimum 17 on English and Math sections of ACT
  • Learn More Here
  • This can provide a great back-up option for students who cannot afford the financial aid packages offered at their 4-year options