This program is open to residents of Illinois who are 1) graduating high school seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2) enrolled in college with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; 3) enrolled at a technical school or returning to school after an absence for retraining of job skills or obtaining a degree; or 4) engaged in the online study through an accredited college, university, or vocational school.
Applicants may be attending or planning to attend a school in any state and major in any field.
They must submit a personal essay on their career plans, reasons they are applying for the scholarship, why they should be chosen, and their leadership and service accomplishments.
Selection is based on service and leadership (20 points), financial need (35 points), and academic ability (35 points).
A $5 processing fee is required. Completed applications must be submitted to the ESA state counselor who then verifies the information before forwarding them to the scholarship director.