William J. Cook Scholarship

As a public charity and our region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits, and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. The Trust’s approach centers on tackling the region’s immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home.

The William J. Cook Scholarship Fund was established at The Chicago Community Trust to assist male high school seniors from Cook County, Illinois who plan to continue their education in college programs. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited four-year institution of the student’s choice.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Eligibility

Applicants to the William J. Cook Scholarship Fund must meet all of the following criteria:

• Male high school seniors attending a high school in Cook County, Illinois, and
• Must enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the fall immediately after graduating from high school.

Awards

Award Information:

• If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $7,000 award.
• Up to 55 awards will be granted.
• Awards are renewable up to four years on the basis of satisfactory academic performance and enrollment in a four-year accredited institution.
• Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Notification

Applicants will be notified in June. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of The Chicago Trust for the William J. Cook Scholarship Fund. Payment is made in early August.

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

• Academic record
• Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
• Work experience
• Statement of educational and career goals and objectives
• Unusual personal or family circumstances
• An online recommendation
• Financial need

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of The Chicago Community Trust play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Required Documents

As part of your application, you must upload the following document:

• A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.

NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than May 9, 2024 3:00 pm Central Time.

Your application is not complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically through the Scholarship America Student Hub.