Priority deadline for student applications ends November 30, 2024
The Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship application is open for the 2024-2025 school year! This first-of-its-kind scholarship opportunity is designed to help Illinois students looking to go into STEM careers apply to receive college tuition, fee, and room and board assistance as long as the student agrees to stay and work in Illinois after graduation. The program, administered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, will be awarded to eligible students attending a participating Illinois college or university pursuing eligible degree programs, with priority given to minority students, students demonstrating academic excellence, or financial need. Funding for the program is limited. Students seeking assistance are highly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline or sooner.
Eligibility:
• U.S. Citizenship, Eligible Non-Citizens, or Undocumented Students (subject to the RISE Act)
• Illinois residency
• Illinois high school graduate
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Be enrolled, at least half-time, in an ISAC-approved Illinois college or university. A full list of eligible schools is available here.
• Pursue or intent to pursue one of the following undergraduate degrees, including, computer science, computer information sciences, or cybersecurity. A full list of eligible degrees is available here.
Note: As a condition of applying for an receiving an iGROW Tech Scholarship from ISAC, a student must agree to the terms and conditions outlined inn the application, work agreement, and promissory note, which requires that a scholarship recipient agrees to work in Illinois in a qualifying job for a certain period of time (e.g., not less than one year and up to four years, depending on number of years the student received iGROW assistance). Additionally, a student’s FAFSA, or similar form, must be completed.
Priority Application Deadline: November 30, 2024
Note: Applications will continue to be accepted after this date, however, awards will only be made if funding remains available after all timely, qualified applications have been awarded.
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce was proud to introduce the enabling legislation that created the iGROW Tech Scholarship Program in 2023 (now, Public Act 103-519). For more information, please visit visit this recent article.