Hope Chicago announces new round of scholarships

Hope Chicago, the two-generation economic mobility initiative supporting thousands of families from Chicago's South and West Sides, announced a new wave of postsecondary scholarships and wraparound supports for families of the Class of 2027 at five partner public high schools in Chicago, including Morgan Park High School. Between Aug. 18-28, recent Hope Scholar alumni returned to their high school alma maters to share the news with the Class of 2027 at back-to-school orientations for families of 12th-graders. Through Hope Chicago's two-generation model, students and parents have access to funding and comprehensive wraparound supports to pursue debt-free college degrees and/or workforce credentials. With each new cohort, Hope Chicago is building on a growing body of evidence that a two-generation approach can change postsecondary outcomes for students of all ages and create economic mobility opportunities for entire families and communities. Support from Hope Chicago includes paying in full for the scholar's postsecondary program, financial aid guidance, dedicated campus staff, emergency assistance, stipends and opportunities to connect with employers and explore careers—all designed to help scholars navigate the path from high school to postsecondary completion and into the workforce. When scholars participate in the program, a parent/guardian from their family can also participate and pursue a debt-free college or workforce pathway. 'Being a Hope Scholar changed what I believed was possible for me and my family,' said Samiyah Mull, a Hope Chicago alum and recent Northern Illinois University graduate. 'Now, watching my brother—a current senior at Morgan Park High School—get ready to start his journey as part of the next cohort is incredibly meaningful. I know firsthand what it means to have Hope Chicago, and the whole city, behind you—not just financially, but with people who are there to help you navigate every step. I'm excited to see where he takes this opportunity, and I'm so proud that he gets to be part of the next chapter of Hope Chicago's story.' It costs approximately $20 million to fully support a cohort of Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars through a four-year degree. Yet, the projected social and economic return for Hope Chicago's first cohort alone is $143 million, according to a study conducted in 2023. Each dollar invested in Hope Chicago is expected to return $4.20 in societal and economic gains. For more information, visit the website at hopechicago.org.