Successbuilders Scholarship Fund

Geographic Scope: Chicago, IL (West Humboldt Park area)

Focus Areas: Post-secondary education support for students pursuing education beyond high school

River City offers financial assistance to eligible, accepted R CITY or River City scholars who are pursuing post-high school education. The fund supports students who need financial aid with costs associated with education beyond high school.

Eligible Programs

Scholarships can be used for:

• University undergraduate education
• Bachelor's degree programs
• Associate degree programs
• Vocational school
• Trade school
• Apprenticeship programs
• Graduate school

NOT covered: Professional certificate programs or professional designations

Eligible Expenses

• Tuition
• Books
• Student fees while in school
• Testing fees
• Test preparation costs
• Application fees
• Other costs needed to get into school

Eligibility Criteria

• Primary requirement: Demonstrated commitment to River City or R CITY over the past year
• Must be a consistent attendee of services, church events, or participant in River City or R CITY programs
• Includes current students in Harambee and Dreambuilders programs
• Must first apply to the program before becoming eligible

Award Details

• Maximum per student: $4,000 per year
• Average award: $1,000 per student
• Renewable: Yes, students can apply each year they are in school (must reapply annually)
• Emergency requests: Considered on a case-by-case basis if funds available

Selection Criteria

Awards based on:

• Financial need, including access to other funding sources
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing education
• History of participation with River City or R CITY communities
• Future goals and how education will be used for self, family, and community

Additional Support

• Scholarship recipients can be paired with a mentor from River City or R CITY communities
• Mentors provide counseling, advice, prayer, and support

Funding Goal

Organization aims to raise $10,000-$40,000 annually to award maximum scholarships to all applicants

Contact Information

Address: 3709 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651

Application Process

1. Complete application - Available in two formats:
   • Online application portal
   • Paper application (PDF) - submit to: 3709 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
2. Application Components:

Applicant Information Section

• Full name (first, middle, last)
• Date of birth
• Current address (street, city, state, zip)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Parent/Guardian name, phone, and email

Education Information

• High school name
• Dates attended (from/to years)
• Graduation status (yes/no, or current grade if not graduated)
• Name of school using scholarship funds
• Current or prospective major
• Previous scholarship history from River City (yes/no, with years and amounts if applicable)

References (Required)

• School reference: name, email, phone
• River City reference: name, email, phone, and relationship at River City

Financial Information

Expenses:

• Cost of tuition
• Cost of room and board
• Other costs (books, technology, transportation, etc.) with estimated amounts
• Narrative: Describe what you'll need to successfully complete your school year

Income:

• Amount of scholarships/grants (non-repayable financial aid)
• Amount of loans (repayable financial aid)
• Amount earned through employment (on-campus or other jobs)
• Any other income sources not listed
• Narrative: Describe how you are finding funds to pay for school

Essay Requirement

• Length: 500-word personal essay
• Content: Outline your upcoming goals for the school year
• Focus areas: Select 3 of 6 areas below to emphasize:
  • Educational
  • Financial
  • Personal
  • Spiritual
  • Relational
  • Physical
• Submission options:
  • Upload PDF file of essay
  • Copy and paste essay directly into form

Certification

• Certify that answers are true and complete to best of knowledge
• Acknowledge that false or misleading information may result in scholarship rescission
• Accept all application terms

1. Selection Process:
   • Scholarship Committee reviews all applications
   • Selected applicants interviewed individually by committee
   • Recipients announced July 1 of each year
2. Timeline:
   • Application deadline: May 15 annually
   • Example: For fall scholarships, applications due May 15 of that year