The Ralph A. Haworth Writers Scholarship Program was established by his family to assist high school seniors from select Chicago high schools who love to write and plan to continue their education in writing related college programs. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
This scholarship program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
Ralph Andrews Haworth (1933 – 2009) was a man whose enthusiasm for the written word started early in life. Ralph published poetry, wrote advertising copy for Sears, Roebuck & Co., acted in plays, and served our country with the U.S. Army. He used his bachelor’s degree in journalism in many ways and wished to foster the education of other budding writers from the Chicago area with this scholarship program.
The Chicago Community Trust is a community foundation dedicated to strengthening the Chicago region and improving the lives of the people who call it home. For more than 100 years, the Trust has served as a trusted philanthropic partner, connecting the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to nonprofit organizations working to create lasting change. Following the creation of a new strategic plan in 2019, the Trust stands committed to addressing Chicago’s legacy of systemic inequity and closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap, while continuing to respond to the critical needs of our most vulnerable residents. The Trust administers more than $360 million in annual grantmaking as part of its commitment to equity, opportunity and prosperity for the Chicago region. To learn more, visit cct.org.
Applicants to the Ralph A. Haworth Writers Scholarship Program must:
If selected as the recipient, the student will receive a $15,000 award. The award is renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance, continuous full-time enrollment and continuation of a major in English, Journalism, Public Relations or Communications.
Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Applicants will be notified in mid-July. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.
Scholarship America processes the payment on behalf of The Chicago Community Trust. The payment is made in one installment in mid-August.
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
Preference will be given to those students who have earned writing achievements and provide a 1-2 page sample of their writing.
Financial need is not considered.
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of The Chicago Community Trust play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
As part of your application, you must upload the following:
NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.
One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than May 29, 2025 3:00 pm Central Time.
Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.
