Each June, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless awards renewable college scholarships to graduating high school seniors who succeeded in school despite coping personally with homelessness.

Every applicant must have:

- experienced homelessness, living in a shelter, on the street, or doubled-up in someone else's home (This must be verified on a document signed by the applicant's homeless school liaison or service/shelter provider)

- been admitted to or enrolled in an accredited 2-year or 4-year public or private college or university for the 2021-22 school year as of May 6, 2022 (Scholarships will not be awarded to attend for-profit schools)

- a cumulative weighted high school or college GPA of 2.5 or higher

- filed a completed FAFSA application by April 30, 2022 (FAFSA can be accessed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov)

Please read these instructions carefully before you begin: Take care to submit well-written answers to the essay questions, as your application will be read by a selection committee. Please be sure to adhere to the word requirements listed for each essay. Each essay should be 2-5 paragraphs and thoughtfully written. We suggest planning the points you would like to cover before beginning, proofreading carefully, and having someone else (like a teacher or guidance counselor) read through it before submitting. Find more tips about essay writing here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne4YPKYSWac

The application must be fully completed by the applicant all of the following materials must submitted by Friday, May 6, 2022 at 5 p.m.:

- A copy of your four-year high school transcript and/or a college transcript.

- Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals with direct knowledge of your abilities, accomplishments, and potential. One recommendation must be from a teacher, or other school personnel.

- Using our certification form, your homeless or formerly homeless status must be verified on a document signed by your school's homeless liaison or a service/shelter provider. Form available here at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LkFqysflTlNrHLucnjCVzhIuGMcmcYKg/view?usp=sharing

- Documentation of any other scholarships/financial aid received to date (if applicable).

Verification