ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (November 11, 2020) — Augustana College has announced a new $3,000-$5,000 grant and other benefits for high-achieving high-school students in Illinois who have worked with Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The seven CBOs, listed below, help students prepare for college, and explore ways to access higher education.
List of partner CBOs:
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund — Chicago, Illinois
HFS Chicago Scholars — Chicago, Illinois
HighSight — Chicago, Illinois
University of Chicago Upward Bound and Trio Program — Chicago, Illinois
College Bound Opportunities — Highland Park, Illinois
Evanston Scholars — Evanston, Illinois
Waukegan to College — Waukegan, Illinois
“The vast majority of students working with CBOs will be the first in their family to attend college,” said Karen Dahlstrom, executive director of admissions. “Our partner CBOs do an excellent job preparing these students for the rigor of college, and we’ve recognized that for a long time.”
“But too frequently, Augustana still felt too financially out of reach for these students. We are hopeful that this new grant will make it possible for these talented, college-ready students to enjoy the benefits of an Augustana education.”
This grant when combined with existing institutional, state and federal financial-aid programs can cover as much as 95% of the Rock Island, Illinois, college’s sticker-price for qualifying students.
“To be frank, for a student with more than average financial need, the result can be an annual out-of-pocket cost can be as little as $2,500 to $3,500,” said W Kent Barnds, executive vice president of external relations.
Reaffirming the work of the CBOs, Augustana has designated resources and mentors to help guide students through not only the college selection process but also well into their college careers. In addition to a grant up to $5,000, these students will have access to inclusion efforts, support for first-generation college students, and mentorship programs on campus.
Students currently participating in the partner CBO programs also will have ongoing access to a CBO Scholars Enrollment Success Team with mentors from Augustana’s admissions and financial-aid offices, first-year advising, CORE (Augustana’s career development office), the student inclusion and diversity office, and residential life.
This effort is modeled after a similar and successful partnership Augustana currently has with Phoenix Pact, which connects college-ready North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP) graduates with colleges that have track records of graduating students of all backgrounds.
Throughout their college search process, CBO-participating students will have access to campus visit reimbursements, a barrier-free application, as well as enrollment deposit accommodations from Augustana.
To be eligible for the new grant and these additional benefits, students from Augustana’s partner CBOs must submit all application materials, including the FAFSA and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, by December 1, 2020.
If you represent a Community Based Organization in Illinois and would like more information about participating, please contact Courtney Wallace, director of admissions–Chicago region, at courtneywallace@augustana.edu.
Known for sparking passionate curiosity, Augustana College is an empowering home to explore over 90 areas of study. Augustana’s innovative program, Augie Choice, transforms students into global citizens, thinkers, and doers with a $2,000 grant to explore the world, complete an internship, or conduct research with a professor. Augustana students achieve a balance inside and outside of the classroom; ranking top ten in all divisions for Academic All Americans. Transformed to be different, current students and alumni include health-care heroes, Nobel Prize winners, CEOs, and college presidents and leaders across all continents. The college enrolls 2,500 curious changemakers who get energized by four years as part of a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.
