All Students From These Schools Will Go To College For Free

A Chicago-based non-profit recently surprised thousands of students from three schools at Pilsen, Garfield Park and Morgan Park in Chicago with full-ride scholarships to college. Students at two other schools will join the list soon.

Hope Chicago - a non-profit based in Chicago - is on a mission to eliminate barriers to educational and economic equity by guaranteeing debt-free education and support funding to students from public schools in Chicago. As part of the non-profit’s first high-school cohort, students from five schools would be awarded fully-funded college education at any of Hope Chicago’s 20 partner colleges and universities in Illinois.

Also read Scholar-o-pedia: Financial Aids & MBA Scholarships From IIMs And Other Top B-Schools

In order to make education more accessible across generations, a parent or guardian of each student will also receive a scholarship, according to officials at the NGO. The scholarship will cover all expenses - including tuition, lodging, books, and fee. Additionally, the students will also receive a stipend of USD 750 at the beginning of each school year to use as they choose.

Benito Juarez Community Academy and Al Raby High School were the first schools in the cohort to receive full-ride scholarships. Morgan Park High School - another name on the list - also saw more than 1000 students getting scholarships from Hope Chicago. Names of two more schools are yet to be announced by the non-profit, after which the process will be completed for this year.

Dr. Janice Jackson, CEO of Hope Chicago, said in a statement, “As a life-long educator, I understand the barriers that college students face as they enter the higher education system.” According to her, the goal of Hope Chicago is to redefine the education landscape in the city with the help of the community, civic, and business leaders.

As the event unfolded at the schools, students and parents found it hard to control their tears. It was a surprise event, and according to Juan Carlos Ocon, the Principal at Benito Juarez Community Academy, the excitement and the happiness of the students and guardian at the auditorium was unbelievable. “The auditorium was spilling over with hope and dreams and energy that I haven’t seen or felt from our school, from our students, ever,” he said.

Image Credits: Benito Juarez Community Academy

Also read Don't Give Up on Your Dreams: Here Are 5 Scholarships for Indian Students Planning to Study in United States!

“The number of parents who approached me today with tears running down their cheeks in disbelief, asking me to explain, wondering if this was truly real … it was so emotional,” he added. Ocon further added that the scholarships can be used to fund studies for undocumented students who are not eligible for other sources of funding. Many of the families in Juarez have migrated from Mexico and hold undocumented status in the US.