Scholarship

1911 Initiative Scholarship Requirements

● Minimum GPA: Require a competitive minimum grade point average (2,7/5.0) to ensure the recipients are academically strong.

● Standardized Test Scores: Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) is part of the evaluation process but not required. It can be used as a differentiator if two candidates have similar accomplishments.

Demonstrate Financial Need: Applicants must submit information about their financial situation

to assess their need for financial assistance.

Chicago Residency: Preference to students who are residents of Chicago to support local talent and encourage community engagement.

Intent to Attend an HBCU: Applicants should express a genuine interest in attending an HBCU and provide a list of HBCUs they are considering.

● Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in community service, leadership roles, or participation in clubs and organizations (Proof required).

● Volunteer Work: Applicants, please highlight any volunteer work or community initiatives you have been part of (Proof required).

Motivation and Goals: Essay or personal statement where applicants articulate their motivation for attending an HBCU, their career goals, and how the scholarship will contribute to their educational journey (min 300 words)

Academic and Community References: Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or community leaders who can speak to the applicant’s character, academic abilities, and community involvement.

Personal Interview: Interviews will be conducted with a shortlist of candidates to better understand their aspirations, commitment, and passion for attending an HBCU.

Alignment with Scholarship Goals: Preference to students pursuing majors or fields of study that align with the mission and values of the scholarship and 1911 Initiative. This majors include technology, engineering, business, marketing, and finance.

Maintain Academic Standing: Criteria for scholarship recipients to maintain a certain GPA (3.0/5.0) throughout their undergraduate studies to ensure ongoing eligibility.

1911 Initiative Scholarship Program – Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility
To be considered for the 1911 Initiative Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) for the 2025–2026 academic year.

  • Provide proof of enrollment or registration from the institution.

  • Submit a 300-word essay on how attending an HBCU will impact their future goals.

  • Demonstrate community involvement through volunteer work, leadership, or service organizations.

  • Submit a completed application by the deadline of August 17, 2025.

2. Scholarship Award

  • Two (2) individual scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded.

  • Scholarships are one-time, non-renewable, and intended for use during the 2025–2026 academic year.

  • Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient’s college or university on behalf of the student. No funds will be disbursed directly to students.

3. Application Review and Selection

  • All eligible applications will be reviewed by the 1911 Initiative Scholarship Committee.

  • Scholarship recipients will be selected based on a combination of eligibility, essay quality, and demonstrated community involvement.

  • Winners will be notified by September 15, 2025.

  • The decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final and not subject to appeal.

4. Use of Funds

  • Funds must be applied toward tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses as permitted by the institution.

  • Misuse of funds or falsification of application materials may result in disqualification and/or forfeiture of the scholarship.

5. Publicity and Consent

  • By submitting an application, applicants grant the 1911 Initiative permission to use their name, photo, and essay excerpts for promotional and recognition purposes without additional compensation.

  • Recipients may be asked to participate in publicity or promotional activities.

6. Limitation of Liability

  • The 1911 Initiative is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete applications due to technical or human error.

  • The 1911 Initiative reserves the right to modify or cancel the scholarship program at any time without notice.

7. Contact
Questions regarding the scholarship or application process can be directed to:
📧 bod@1911initiative.org

 
 
 

Scholarship Application

Personal Details

Highschool Details

ACT/SAT Details (Optional)

HBCU Preference:

Community Involvement:

Essay or Personal Statement (minimum 300 words):

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