Manufacturing Pathway Scholarship for Chicago Public Schools Students
Through the generous support of the Square One Foundation, Education Systems Center at NIU is now offering a scholarship to CPS students who graduate high school having completed a Model Pathway in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades (METT) and is currently enrolled or in the process of enrolling in an Illinois community college or university for manufacturing, welding, or engineering. This $500 scholarship can be put towards tuition, fees, textbooks, room, board, school supplies, job training equipment and uniforms, or other barrier reduction costs that arise. The scholarship awards will be sent directly to students upon postsecondary enrollment or, if necessary, to the awardee’s postsecondary institution in the fall of that academic year.
Scholarship Selection Critera
High school seniors (Class of 2023) within the Chicago Public Schools district who are on track to complete a METT Pathway are invite to apply. Applicants must plan to attend a regionally accredited two- or four-year institution of higher education in Illinois fall of 2023 to continue the METT pathway. Once selected for the scholarship, students will have to provide a high school transcript or diploma and demonstrate postsecondary enrollment to receive funds.
Interested students will have to submit an application which includes the following:
- The name and contact information for a high school faculty member or administrator who can write you a letter of recommendation, confirming your participation in the METT pathway, including if you will earn 6 hours of college credit in the pathway course sequence and senior year Math or English requirements by graduation.
- A 500-word (maximum) essay OR a 2-minute audio/video recording essay answering the question: What made you interested in a career in manufacturing? Please talk about your relevant experiences, such as which courses you have taken, your workplace experiences or visits, or extra-curricular activities.
- A 2-minute video recording or presentation where you show us a METT project or item you created. Please describe the process: How did you create the item? What materials, machines or tools did you use? What did you learn?
This scholarship is open to DACA Students/DREAMers. A DREAMer is a non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident high school student who qualifies for in-state college tuition under Illinois’ HB-60 State Legislation and who will benefit from the Illinois DREAM Act, a provision that supports children of immigrants in Illinois signed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in 2011. DACA, an acronym for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a policy that protects around 800,000 young people — known as “DREAMers” — who entered the United States unlawfully as children. The program does not grant them official legal status or a pathway to citizenship, but it does allow them to apply for a driver’s license, social security number, and work permit. Students must still meet the other requirements listed above.
Additional Information
The Model Pathways system is a cornerstone strategy of the Roadmap for College Success, a partnership between Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago, to increase the number of Illinois high school graduates prepared for postsecondary education and future careers. To complete a Model Pathway, a student must complete an individualized learning plan, engage in a career-focused instructional sequence (including early college credit), participate in work-based learning, and demonstrate readiness for college-level reading and math. CPS students in the Model Pathway will develop technical and essential employability competencies, earn in-demand credentials, and be prepared to launch rewarding careers.
Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Juan Jose Gonzalez.
