The CSBG Scholarship Program helps low-income Chicagoans finance their journeys through higher education. Students enrolled in an Illinois college, university or vocational training program may qualify, and individuals from all ages and backgrounds are welcome to apply. Funds can be used for tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and other necessities. Displaced and under employed workers, high school graduates (or equivalent), and those aspiring to higher education and employment are encouraged to apply.

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

Applications are now open for the 2023 fall semester/quarter. The application deadline has been extended. Applications are now due on Friday, September 15th, by 5:00 PM.

Click Here to Apply for the CSBG Scholarship

Download 2023 CSBG Scholarship Application Affidavit

CSBG Training Webinars on YouTube. 

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 2023.
• Must have an e-mail address to apply. If you do not have an e-mail address, you will need to create one before applying.
• Must provide an official educational institution transcript to validate your full-time enrollment for the entire 2023 fall semester/quarter.
• Must demonstrate academic achievement, career potential and educational motivation.
• Must meet income eligibility requirements (see table below) 

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 2023 FALL SEMESTER/QUARTER:

• Tuition Cost
• Purchase of Uniforms
• Purchase of Books
• School, Lab, or Class Fees
• Other Costs Directly Related to Education/Training

FINANCIAL AWARDS CAN NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD: 

• Laptops, Computers, Room/Board,  and/or the designated term if the student was not enrolled full-time the entire semester. 

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 June of 2023 (June 1, 2023-June 30, 2023)
• 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
• Copies of Social Security Cards for All Family/Household Members
• Minimum 300-Word 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

• How will your traits enhance your future career?
• Tell us about a teacher or mentor that motivated and guided your academic goals.
• Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.
• How have you contributed to your community?
• Tell us about a time where you stepped up as a leader.
• What are your academic/professional goals?

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Official transcripts must be submitted or postdated by September 15th, 2023
• Send official electronic transcripts to: DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org 

 

SEND MAILED OR DELIVERED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS TO : 

Chicago Department of Family & Support Services
2023 CSBG Scholarship Program
Attn: Da Lina Bailey
1615 W. Chicago Avenue – 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60622

WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED 

Acceptance and denial letters will be emailed by November 2023.