Chicago Housing Authority Scholarship Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Chicago Housing Authority
Application timeline
- The application for the 2026–2027 academic year opens on January 30, 2026. Applicants will be informed of award decisions by July 2026.
Award overview
- CHA Scholarship recipients will receive $2,000 to be applied toward tuition, textbooks, or educational supplies.
Who may apply (Eligibility)
To qualify for this scholarship you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be either a high school senior or an undergraduate student (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior).
- Be pursuing an undergraduate credential: Certificate, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degree. Graduate-level study (Master’s, Doctorate) is not eligible.
- Intend to enroll at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States (nonprofit or for-profit) for the fall 2026 term.
- Be a current Chicago Housing Authority resident—either in CHA Public Housing or participating in CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program—and be listed on a CHA lease.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to submit an application (a 2.5 GPA is recommended).
- Live in a household whose income does not exceed HUD’s low‑income limit (80% Area Median Income) for Cook County, Illinois; CHA will verify income.
- No exceptions will be made to these eligibility requirements.
Selection criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on:
- Academic performance and records
- Community service and civic engagement
- An essay submitted with the application
Important notes
- CHA will perform verification of residency and household income.
- Applicants should ensure they meet all listed criteria before applying; exceptions are not permitted.
Additional opportunity
- CHA residents planning to attend City Colleges of Chicago can explore the PiE program to learn about eligibility for free tuition at CCC campuses.