Atlas Scholars Program Application

The Atlas Scholars Program creates equitable college and career opportunities for students by providing them with four-year college scholarships and internships in the finance community. 

An Atlas Scholar demonstrates exceptional merit and an interest in a career in finance. The program helps students achieve college and career goals by providing four years of financial support and career mentorship including
  • up to $20,000 in financial aid for college tuition and other educational expenses, each year that the scholar is in good standing with the institution and Atlas Scholars Program 
  • a best-in-class, paid, full-time summer internship program at financial institutions where scholars develop the professional knowledge and network to enter a career in business 
  • general professional development training to equip scholars to be successful in the 21st century workplace environment 
  • membership in a community of current Atlas Scholars and alumni 

The scholarship program will be administered by Chicago Scholars, a mentoring and leadership development organization that helps first-generation college students and students from under-resourced communities navigate transitions into college, through college, and on to careers.
The Application Process
ELIGIBILITY and REQUIREMENTS

DEMOGRAPHICS  
  • High school seniors on track to graduate and enroll in a four-year college or university 
  • Reside in one of the following locations: Chicago, IL; New York City, NY; or Teton County, WY 
    • Chicago applicants must be participants in the Chicago Scholars Program
ACADEMIC INTEREST AND SUCCESS
  • Current unweighted GPA above 3.5 
  • Successful completion of or enrollment in finance-related high school classes including but not limited to mathematics, computer technology, and/or business
  • Demonstrated interest in a career in accounting, banking, or finance 
ATTRIBUTES AND CHARACTERISTICS
  • Achievement-oriented: works hard to achieve academic and social success—even when it does not come easily 
  • Exceptional work ethic: possesses a great deal of stamina to pursue one’s dreams and is always the first to volunteer to help 
  • High degree of agency: has a strong belief in one’s power over the outcome of events in life, and perceives one’s success as the result of hard work 
  • Skilled time management: ability to prioritize effectively based on academics and extracurricular activities 
APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete the attached application by April 2, 2021 including:
  • General background information
  • High school transcript (including 1st semester senior grades) 
  • Essay of no more than 500 words explaining why you are applying for the scholarship and how the funds will help you achieve your goals for the future
  • Recommendation from an adult (other than a family member) who knows you well 
INTERVIEW PROCESS

Applicants could be selected for an interview in order to be considered for the scholarship.  The interviews will be held in early April.  Students will be asked to share their goals for the future and how this scholarship will allow them to achieve these goals.

SELECTION

Students selected for the scholarship will be notified before the end of April.

Before you begin the application:

 

Please ensure that you have all of the following 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.

 

  • Transcript (including first-semester senior year grades)
  • One letter of recommendation from a counselor, principal, teacher, mentor, employer (or other adult that knows you well but is not a family member) 
  • An essay (of 500 words or less) articulating why you are applying for the Atlas Scholars Program and how the funds and internship will help you achieve your goals for the future.  

General Background Information














Please use your parent and/or guardian's tax documents to help you. The total gross income is the amount of money earned by a person in one year from all sources before taxes. Add these amounts for all individuals living within the household.

For the purpose of this application, first-generation college status is defined as neither parent having graduated from a 4-year college or university in the United States.   

School and Program Information









Check all that apply (hold Ctr + click to select multiple options).




Check all that apply.

Student Essay

The Atlas Scholars Program creates equitable college and career opportunities for students by providing them with four-year college scholarships and internships in the finance community. 

An Atlas Scholar demonstrates exceptional merit and an interest in a career in finance. The program helps students achieve college and career goals by providing four years of financial support and career mentorship including:
  • up to $20,000 in financial aid for college tuition and other educational expenses, each year that the scholar is in good standing with the institution and Atlas Scholars Program 
  • a best-in-class, paid, full-time summer internship program at financial institutions where scholars develop the professional knowledge and network to enter a career in business 
  • general professional development training to equip scholars to be successful in the 21st century workplace environment 
  • membership in a community of current Atlas Scholars and alumni 
In 500 words or less, share why you are applying for the scholarship and how the funds and internship will help you achieve your goals for the future.

Required Documents

Upload your transcript and letter of recommendation below. 
  • Reminder: You must share your 1st semester senior grades with this transcript.
  • The letters of recommendation can come from a counselor, principal, teacher, mentor, employer (or other adult who knows you well that is not part of your family).  
  • If your recommenders would feel more comfortable emailing their letters directly to Chicago Scholars, they may email them to Megan Kerber at mkerber@chicagoscholars.org with the subject line:  "Atlas Scholars recommendation--[applicant name]."  In this case, the applicant must upload a document in the space below stating:  "My letter of recommendation is being emailed to Megan Kerber from [recommender name]."


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