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Leonard and Bernice Lavin Scholarship Program
Deadline to apply: March 1, 2021 3:00 pm Central TIme

The Chicago Community Trust established the Leonard and Bernice Lavin Scholarship Program to assist high school seniors in the Chicagoland area who plan to continue their education in college programs. Scholarships are offered 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 scholarship, tuition assistance, and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, or national origin.

Applicants to the Leonard and Bernice Lavin Scholarship Program must:

  • Be high school seniors attending one of the ten designated high schools in the Chicagoland area:
    • Collins Academy High School
    • David G. Farragut Career Academy High School
    • Englewood STEM High School
    • Emil G. Hirsch Metropolitan High School
    • Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice
    • Manley Career Academy High School
    • Peace & Education Coalition High School
    • Spry Community Links High School
    • TEAM Englewood Community Academy High School
    • Wendell Phillips Academy High School
  • Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, a statement of career and educational goals and objectives, unusual personal or family circumstances and an outside appraisal. Applicants will provide a 300-word essay outlining accomplishments related to one of the following values:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Improving our communities
  • Leadership
  • Innovation
  • Ethics
  • Relentless passion
  • Building teams
  • Winning against the odds
  • Family values
  • Dedication and tenacity

Financial need will be considered. Recipients will be selected from a pool of qualified applicants with consideration given to those who demonstrate the greatest need.

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.

Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.

Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $5,000 award. Up to ten (10) awards will be granted. Awards may be used only for tuition, fees, books, supplies and required equipment. Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Awards are one time only and not renewable. Past recipients may not reapply.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in late April.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes Leonard and Bernice Lavin Scholarship payments on behalf of The Chicago Community Trust. Payments are made in August.

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.

One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than March 4, 2021 3:00 pm Central Time.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

The Chicago Community Trust has partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you the Scholarship America Student Hub!