ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Institute of Technology is proud to launch The Chicago Difference scholarship for incoming first-year undergraduate students who demonstrate significant financial need, with a focus on students graduating from partner high schools across Chicago.
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech pledges to cover 100 percent of Chicago Difference scholarship recipients’ tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for four years of full-time undergraduate study only—five years for architecture students—after subtracting the student's Student Aid Index (negative SAIs will be calculated as 0), federal and state grants and any existing ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech institutional scholarships.
In addition to financial support, the scholarship provides students with a full range of wraparound support services throughout their entire journey with ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech. This includes:
- Academic advising and enrichment
- Career services and coaching
- On-campus housing and community programming
- Health and wellness services
- Financial aid counseling
- Community affairs and campus life
Under The Chicago Difference initiative, ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech also offers pre-college opportunities to increase college access, which is open to students across the city. We provide support through early STEM education and bridge programs, community partnerships, and mentorship.
Note: The Chicago Difference scholarship covers costs for the bachelor’s degree program only.
Application Timeline
| November 1 (Priority Deadline) | Apply to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech via the Early Decision deadline for priority consideration for The Chicago Difference Scholarship |
| February 1 | Last day to submit your completed ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech application through the Common App and to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech’s FAFSA code: 001691 |
| ²Ñ¾±»å–A±è°ù¾±±ô | Scholarship recipients will be notified |
| May 1 | Decision deadline to accept The Chicago Difference scholarship and to confirm enrollment to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech |
Eligibility Requirements
No separate scholarship application is required. Students who meet the criteria below will be considered for The Chicago Difference scholarship.
- Have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average upon applying to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Institute of Technology and be admitted as a first-year student to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech
- Maintain good academic standing while attending ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Tech
- Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
- Graduate from a high school located in the city of Chicago
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and complete the verification process with the Office of Financial Aid
- Demonstrate significant financial need based on FAFSA and Pell Grant eligibility
- Be eligible for federal work study and fulfill requirements as outlined by The Chicago Difference initiative
- Be a first generation student (first in your family to pursue a higher education)
Deferral Policy
- Chicago Difference recipients must begin courses during the semester for which they applied in order to maintain their scholarship.
- In the event that a student awarded the Chicago difference scholarship chooses to defer to a future term, they will forfeit their scholarship and receive an alternative financial aid offer.