The DFSS CSBG Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible individuals in Chicago pursuing their higher education goals. Students enrolled full-time for the 2025 Fall semester in any Illinois college, university, or vocational training program are eligible to apply. Students enrolled in online programs from institutions located outside of Illinois are not eligible to apply. The funds may be used to cover tuition and institutional fees for the fall and spring semesters. We encourage all income-eligible students attending any post-secondary institution to apply.

 Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 for income-eligible residents.

Applications for the 2025 fall semester/quarter will be accepted from Monday, June 16, through Friday, July 31, 5:00 PM. 

Click Here to Apply for the CSBG Scholarship

CSBG Training Webinars on YouTube

SCHOLARSHIP AFFIDAVIT:

Download 2025 CSBG No Income Scholarship Application Affidavit

Download 2025 CSBG No Identification Scholarship Affidavit

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be a City of Chicago resident.
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student in an Illinois Educational Institution for the entire fall semester of 2025.
• Must provide an official educational institution transcript to validate your full-time enrollment for the entire 2025 fall semester/quarter.
• Must demonstrate academic achievement, career potential, and educational motivation.
• Must meet income eligibility requirements (see table below).

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Webinars to provide guidance through the application process are on YouTube. 

For questions, to register for the webinar, or for more details about the CSBG Scholarship, please contact: DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org

Scholarship applications are available during the spring months of each year and awarded for the following fall semester.

• Download CSBG Scholarship Application Flyer
  
  

FINANCIAL AWARDS CAN BE APPLIED TOWARD THE 2025 FALL SEMESTER/QUARTER:

• Tuition Cost
• Other Costs Directly Related to Education/Training

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR APPLICATION:

• Official Transcripts
• Acceptance Letter for Newly Enrolled Students
• Proof of All Family/Household Member's Income for the last 30 days
• Current Financial Aid Awards or a Written Statement Why You are Not Eligible for Financial Aid
• Proof of Chicago Residency—Legible Copy of Illinois Driver's License of Illinois State ID
• Copies of Illinois Driver's License of Illinois State ID for All Family/Household Members
• Minimum 1-1.5 typed single-spaced personal essay
• Letter of Recommendation on Letterhead and Signed

   

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER YOU APPLY

Your application will be reviewed and scored in the following areas:

• Completion of Online Application
• Grade Point Average (GPA) or Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) Test Scores
• Essay
• Submittal of All Required Documents

ESSAY TOPICS

Choose one topic and provide a 1-1.5 page single space response

• Identify a pressing need in your community that aligns with your academic interests or career goals. How have your past experiences prepared you to address this need, and how will your education empower you to create sustainable, positive changes in this area?
• Reflect on a specific moment or experience that ignited your career aspirations. How would the scholarship help you transform this vision into reality?
• Think about a personal experience, challenge, or someone in your life who has shaped the way you see your future. How has that experience or person inspired your educational or career goals? 

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

•  Official transcripts must be submitted electronically.
• Transcripts must be received by 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 2025. 
• Mailed, hand-delivered, or late transcripts will not be accepted.
• Send official electronic transcripts to: DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org 
• Must demonstrate proof of full-time enrollment verification from the institution

  

WEBINAR  

Webinars to provide guidance through the application process will be hosted on June 30^th at 10 a.m. and will be posted on YouTube. Please contact: DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org to register. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

• How do I upload my documents, and what file types are accepted? 
  • You can upload your documents directly through the scholarship application portal. Accepted file formats include PDF only. Make sure your files are clear and legible. 
• Who qualifies for the CSBG Scholarship? 
  • Students who are residents of Chicago or the State of Illinois attending vocational schools, trade programs, community colleges, four-year universities, or graduate programs, and demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply. 
• What kinds of programs and schools are eligible for the CSBG Scholarship? 
  • Eligible programs include vocational training, trade schools, community colleges, four-year universities, and accredited graduate programs located within Chicago or the State of Illinois. Both online and in-person programs from Illinois-based institutions qualify; however, online programs from institutions located outside Illinois are not eligible.  
• What happens after I submit my application? 
  • After submission, your application will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. If additional documents or clarification is needed, our team will contact you via email. 
• When and how will award decisions be made? 
  • Scholarship decisions will be announced by fall 2025. Notifications will be sent via email. 
• Who do I contact if I move or change schools after submitting my application? 
  • Please notify our scholarship office immediately by emailing DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org to  update your information and ensure your eligibility remains accurate. 
• Can I reapply if I've received the scholarship in the past? 
  • Yes, previous scholarship recipients can reapply each year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate ongoing financial need. 
• What happens if I submit something incorrectly? 
  • If you realize you’ve submitted incorrect information or documents, please contact our office immediately at DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org. We’ll assist you with updating or correcting your submission promptly. 
• How will I receive the scholarship funds if awarded? 
  •  Scholarship funds are sent directly to your educational institution. 

 

WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED 

Acceptance and denial letters will be emailed in September 2025.

The DFSS CSBG Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible individuals in Chicago pursuing their higher education goals. Students enrolled full-time for the 2025 Fall semester in any Illinois college, university, or vocational training program are eligible to apply. Students enrolled in online programs from institutions located outside of Illinois are not eligible to apply. The funds may be used to cover tuition and institutional fees for the fall and spring semesters. We encourage all income-eligible students attending any post-secondary institution to apply.