The Schreiber Scholarship Application 2025-2026

*Application for students beginning college in the 2026-2027 academic year.*

The Scholarship
Chicago Scholars is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Schreiber Philanthropy in development of a scholarship to be offered to participants in the Chicago Scholars program. The Schreiber Scholarship is designed to support participants in the Chicago Scholars program who are facing a financial gap related to the funding of their college education.

The Application Process

ELIGIBILITY and REQUIREMENTS

Participant in the Chicago Scholars program
Graduating high school senior
Must be seeking a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. four-year college or university on a full-time basis
Must have demonstrated financial need with regard to financing college education
Eligible to receive Pell Grant
Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
Continued engagement:

The scholarship seeks to support Scholars who demonstrate commitment to the Chicago Scholars community and beyond. Recipients are expected to complete at least two check-ins a year with a Chicago Scholars staff member throughout college and to stay actively engaged with Chicago Scholars programming and opportunities, as appropriate.

AWARD

Up to $5,000/year, depending on need, for up to 4 years. Award amount will be adjusted annually based on demonstrated need related to financial aid gap.

APPLICATION DUE

June 7, 2026 11:59pm Central

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Complete the CS Scholarship Pre-Application before you submit this application. The pre-application only needs to be completed once and can be used for multiple CS scholarships.

Step 2: Complete this application by June 7, 2026 (11:59pm) including:

Two written responses to the prompts included in the application
Financial aid award letter for selected college and FAFSA Student Aid Report (including SAI), if not previously shared through pre-application

SELECTION

Applicants will be notified of their status by late June, 2026, and may be invited to attend a virtual interview. The Scholars selected to receive the scholarship will be notified by mid-July, 2026.

Before you begin the application:

Please ensure that you have the necessary materials available to you and ready to upload. You will NOT be able to save and resume your work on the application, so you will need to submit in one sitting.

Remember, Chicago Scholars is here for you! If you have any questions regarding the scholarship application process or need assistance along the way, please contact us at: scholarships@chicagoscholars.org.

General Background Information

First Name:

Last Name:

Preferred Name:

Preferred Email Address:

Phone Number:

I have completed the CS Scholarship Pre-Application, which is a required component of the Schreiber Scholarship application.

YesNot yet. (Please complete before you submit this application.)The CS Scholarship Pre-Application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.

Financial

Have you earned any scholarships so far? Please select all that apply.

Yes, from my college.Yes, I was awarded a scholarship from somewhere other than my college.No, I have not received any scholarships so far.Check all that apply (hold Ctr+ click to select multiple options).

Please list any scholarships you have received from your college. Include the value next to each scholarship.

Please list any scholarships you have received from outside of your college. Include the value next to each scholarship.

Written Responses

Please submit written responses to each of topics below.

1. We would love to learn more about the ways you engage with the Chicago Scholars program and your commitment to the Chicago Scholars community and beyond. What have been the most meaningful aspects of your participation in the Chicago Scholars program and why? What are your hopes for your future as a Chicago Scholar? (500 word limit).

2. How, specifically, will this scholarship make a difference for you with regard to financing your college education? In your response, we encourage you to provide more context regarding your and/or your family's financial circumstances. Additionally, please discuss how you would pay your remaining balance/financial gap if this scholarship was not an option for you. (400 word limit)

Upload Documents

Please upload the following required documents. If you have already uploaded the most recent and up-to-date versions through the CS Pre-Application you may re-share them here or upload a document stating "see pre-application."

FAFSA Student Aid Report (Only the first pages, showing Federal Pell Grant eligibility and Student Aid Index (SAI) are required, although the entire report can be submitted.)
Financial Aid Award Letter from college you will be attending (Must show Cost of Attendance, including direct and indirect expenses, and all aid offered. If not, please upload supplemental documentation that demonstrates this information.)

FAFSA Student Aid Report

If Student Aid Report is unavailable, please upload a note explaining the circumstance.

Financial Aid Award Letter

If Financial Aid Award is unavailable, please upload a note explaining the circumstance.

Optional: Supplemental Documents

If additional information is needed regarding your financial aid award or another aspect of your application, you can upload it here. In most cases, this will not be necessary.

Signature Page

I have confirmed that all my information is correct, and I am ready to submit my application for the Schreiber Scholarship.

YesNo

I understand that completion of this application form is only one part of my scholarship application. My Schreiber Scholarship application will only be considered complete when I have also submitted the CS Scholarship Pre-Application. Please complete the CS Scholarship Pre-Application before submitting this application.

YesNoThe CS Scholarship Pre-Application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.

I understand that, during the application review period, the CS Scholarships Team may request additional information (such as recent financial aid award letters, updated information regarding other scholarships received, college admissions updates, etc.).

YesNo

I certify that this application and all attachments are complete and true. I hereby authorize Chicago Scholars to furnish copies of my academic record, this application, and letters of recommendation to the Scholarship Committee and the scholarship donor for review. I authorize my college or university and/or Chicago Scholars to furnish information on academic progress to the scholarship donor. If selected, I further authorize release of information for publicity purposes.

YesNo

My full legal name is:

Date