I'm living in Chicago and interested in attending a City College, but I don't have a green card. Are there scholarships available for students like me? Any guidance would be appreciated!
Yes, there are options available to you! It's great to see you're invested in pursuing higher education. Regardless of your immigration status, you have access to certain funding sources, including scholarships. Many scholarships do not require a student to be a U.S. citizen or hold a green card.
Firstly, you should know about the Chicago Star Scholarship, which is offered by the City Colleges of Chicago. This scholarship covers tuition, books, and other fees and is open to all Chicago Public Schools students, regardless of citizenship status. The main requirement is to graduate from a CPS high school with at least a 3.0 GPA and to test 'completion ready' in math and English.
In addition to this, you'll find a number of private scholarships that don't have a residency requirement. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund and Dream.US scholarships are among many that accept applications from undocumented students.
It's encouraged that you carry out extensive research to find scholarships that you're eligible for. Make sure to also visit the financial aid office at the City College you're considering, as they might have information on specific school-based scholarships. It's also beneficial to speak with your high school counselor, as they often have resources and can provide guidance throughout your scholarship search.
Remember to read all eligibility criteria before applying and keep track of deadlines. Applying for scholarships can be a time-consuming process, but the potential financial assistance can make a significant difference to your education journey. I wish you the best of luck!
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