Our Opportunities
Welcome CPS Students and Parents to the Academic Works tool! The application cycle for the 2020-21 school year is OPEN (as of August 3, 2020). To begin your scholarship application process, follow these steps:
- 1. Sign in using your CPS log in credentials. Ensure accuracy in the spelling of your user email account and ensure the account is checked frequently.
- 2. Complete your General Application (a series of preliminary questions to outline your accomplishments) to begin reviewing scholarship applications.
- 3. Your application may be Submitted; however, you must check the “Status” bar on your “My Applications” dashboard to ensure that all required references are “Submitted”. If the Status bar displays no additional submissions then your file is incomplete.
- 4. Review both “Ours” (embedded applications) and “External” (apply on the scholarship provider website) opportunities by switching your view when you hover your mouse cursor over the “Opportunities” tab.
- 5. Scholarships are being updated each week, please make sure you consistently visit the site for new deadlines.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Scholarships are NOT guaranteed, they are a gift. Students/families must have a financial plan to pay for college. Chicago Public Schools encourages all academically eligible students to apply for strategic scholarships that are offered through our Academic Works tool to help with college costs. Scholarship applications will require closer review for actual eligibility; thoroughly review/read scholarship criteria for best contact, content and instructions on applying. Additionally, please note the following:
- MOST of the opportunities are for high school senior students (most urgent student group).
- Some of the opportunities are seeking specific applicants related to the following categories: gender, race/ethnicity, financial need and academic merit.
- CPS strategic scholarships are offered by an organization, company, institution, foundation, individual or family that specifically targets and awards CPS high school, Chicago, or Illinois students.
CPS Scholarship Resources:
- Need Help with Academic Works? Check out our Academic Works User Comprehension Guide with a corresponding webinar.
- If you are interested in receiving scholarship alerts and information please CLICK HERE to be added to the 2020-21 CPS Scholarship Manager Email Blast.
- Missed an email? CLICK HERE for an up-to-date list of CPS Scholarship Alerts shared out through the 2020-21 CPS Scholarship Manager Email Blast.
- Review up-to-date scholarship opportunities in the live CPS Scholarship Alert Workbook.
- Add CPS Scholarships to your Google Calendar or bookmarks! Keep up with application open & close dates, CPS Scholarship events, and more! (updated weekly)
- CLICK HERE to review the 2020-21 CPS Scholarships Starter Guide for Students
If you have any questions please contact CPS Scholarship Manager Michele Howard at CollegeScholarships@cps.edu.
Award | Name | Actions |
---|---|---|
$5,000 |
Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Chicago Area (PBKACA)
Organization & Scholarship Description:
The Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Chicago Area (PBKACA) will offer a one-year $5,000 scholarship...
Organization & Scholarship Description:
The Phi Beta Kappa Association...
|
Deadline03/12/2021 |
Varies |
Chicago Public Schools Student Science Fair, Inc. Scholarships
Scholarship Overview:
Since 1956, the CPS Student Science Fair, Inc., has awarded more than 2,000 scholarships, valued at over $3,900,000 to...
Scholarship Overview:
Since 1956, the CPS Student Science Fair, Inc.,...
|
Deadline03/26/2021 |
$1,000 |
Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Academic Scholarship
Organization & Scholarship Description:
The Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Academic Scholarship will be...
Organization & Scholarship Description:
The Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae...
|
Deadline03/31/2021 |
$1,000 |
Gread "Lefty" McKinnis Memorial Scholarship
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
The Gread “Lefty” McKinnis Memorial Foundation (GLMMF) was established in 2005. GLMMF is dedicated in memory...
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
The Gread “Lefty” McKinnis Memorial...
|
Deadline03/31/2021 |
$10,000 |
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Iota Chapter Scholarship
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a...
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is...
|
Deadline04/01/2021 |
Up to $25,000 a year (based on need) |
Marine Leadership Academy (MLA) Scholars Award
Scholarship Overview:
The MLA Scholars Award will be provided annually, in the spring, to a small number of Marine Leadership Academy seniors. This...
Scholarship Overview:
The MLA Scholars Award will be provided annually,...
|
Deadline04/15/2021 |
$5,000 ($1,250 disbursed annually over 4 years) |
Edward G. Irvin Scholarship Foundation
Organization & Scholarship Description:
The Edward G. Irvin scholarship is provided through the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. It is awarded annually...
Organization & Scholarship Description:
The Edward G. Irvin scholarship...
|
Deadline04/16/2021 |
$5,000 |
IPLAC Educational Foundation Scholarship
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
The IPLAC Educational Foundation has been organized by the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago...
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
The IPLAC Educational Foundation...
|
Deadline04/18/2021 |
$5,000 |
Aramark Scholarship for Chicago Public Schools Hospitality & Culinary Arts Students (in memoriam to Denzel Thornton)
Organization Overview & Scholarship Description:
Chicago Public Schools students are increasingly engaged in a myriad of academic advancements....
Organization Overview & Scholarship Description:
Chicago Public Schools...
|
Deadline04/30/2021 |
$10,000 |
Archie Kelly Smith Lake View Scholarship (For Lake View High School Only)
Scholarship & Organization Description:
This scholarships is intended for a Chicago Public Schools Lake View High School student who has been...
Scholarship & Organization Description:
This scholarships is intended...
|
Deadline04/30/2021 |
$2,500 ($10,000 over 4 years) |
Daisy E Smith Schurz Scholarship (For Schurz High School)
Scholarship & Organization Description:
This scholarships is intended for a Chicago Public Schools Schurz High School senior student who has been...
Scholarship & Organization Description:
This scholarships is intended...
|
Deadline04/30/2021 |
$1,000 |
CMA (Chicago Military Academy) C/O 2004 Alumni Scholarship
Scholarship & Organization Description:
The Bronzeville Scholarship Fund is proud to announce this year’s CMA c/o 2004 Alumni Scholarship. This...
Scholarship & Organization Description:
The Bronzeville Scholarship Fund...
|
Deadline05/07/2021 |
$1,000 |
Chi-Town Goodfellas, Inc. - Antwain Jones "For The Culture" Scholarship
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
The Chi-Town GoodFellas are all products of Chicago Public Schools and we would like to assist at least one...
Organization & Scholarship Overview:
The Chi-Town GoodFellas are all...
|
Deadline05/30/2021 |
$1,000 - $2,500 |
CPS Dream Fund Scholarship
Scholarship Overview:
In 2011, CPS Scholarship Manager Marcia Boyd envisioned a talent and need-based, last-dollar scholarship for academically...
Scholarship Overview:
In 2011, CPS Scholarship Manager Marcia Boyd...
|
Deadline06/01/2021 |