www.hiaschicago.org 2016 HIAS CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP Undergraduate and Graduate Application The 2016 scholarship application period is December 14, 2015 through February 21, 2016. As an immigrant, being able to go to college and choosing who I want to be in life is a cherished gift. Living in a country where one can achieve their potential and shape their future is a treasured privilege. - former scholarship applicant The fact that I can simply breathe in a country that lets me live free, study in a school in a different language than my first, and make friends with people I would have never known otherwise is amazing. - former scholarship applicant Since 1991, through the generosity of HIAS Chicago s friends and supporters, we have been fortunate to be able to provide academic scholarships to an extremely impressive group of individuals who immigrated to the Chicago area with the assistance of HIAS Chicago. We have recently expanded scholarship eligibility to include U.S.-born children of Jewish immigrants to the U.S. who were assisted by HIAS Chicago. By recognizing their achievements, we are able to acknowledge the significant leadership and community contributions that are being made by immigrants to our community and to help these scholars to further prepare themselves to become our leaders of tomorrow. Our scholarships include and are sponsored by: Benton-Bernstein Scholarships for those entering the helping professions; Bierig Scholarships for volunteerism for students with a strong commitment to volunteerism; Bernard Gordon Memorial Scholarship Fund; Funds contributed in loving memory of Beatrice Nessenson; The Michael Polsky Family Scholarship Fund for high school graduates and career enhancement; Ruth Schultz Memorial Scholarship Fund; The Ludmila Smolyansky Empowerment Scholarship for Women; Tilly Warshaw Scholarship for high school graduates; The Max and Anna Warshofsky Scholarship. We invite you to apply for a HIAS Chicago Undergraduate or Graduate Scholarship. HIAS CHICAGO IS A PARTNER IN SERVING OUR COMMUNITY RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM THE JEWISH UNITED FUNDJEWISH FEDERATION
2016 HIAS CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA The applicant must be: - A Jewish immigrant to the United States who immigrated with his or her family with the assistance of HIAS Chicago, OR - A U.S.-born child or grandchild of a Jewish immigrant to the U.S. who was assisted by HIAS Chicago ANDOR - One who applied for Permanent Residency (i.e. a Green Card) or Citizenship with the assistance of HIAS Chicago. Applicants must: - have lived in the United States for a minimum of 2 years; - demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, community service to the Jewish and general community, and a well-thought out educational plan. Undergraduate applicants must plan to begin or continue post-secondary education on a full-time basis in a college, university or technical school in the 2016-2017 academic year. Graduate applicants must be currently enrolled, or accepted for enrollment in: - Professional study in one of the helping professions for the Benton Bernstein Scholarships, OR - A graduate level program for the Career Enhancement Scholarships. The Ludmila Smolyansky Empowerment Scholarship for Women will be awarded to a female student from Russia, the Former Soviet Union or Ukraine who is entering or continuing her Undergraduate studies. The scholarship seeks to empower a young woman to find success and passion in her career by encouraging her to explore fields of study where women are typically underrepresented. Due to the limitations of available funds, former winners of HIAS Chicago scholarships are not eligible to receive the same category of award. The following items are required for a complete application. Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. The completed 2016 HIAS Chicago Scholarship Application A one-page essay which describes the applicant s immigration experience, and the effect that immigration has had upon the applicant s life; and a description of the applicant s educational and professional aspirations A school transcript that includes the applicant s most current GPA Budget Worksheet A copy of the applicant s or, if the applicant is a dependent, the applicant s family s most recent tax return, or an explanation of why the applicant s family was not required to file income taxes: - If the applicant is financially dependent upon hisher parents, please submit a copy of the applicant s parents tax return - If the applicant is financially independent, only the applicant s tax return is required Applicants invited to an in-person interview must bring with them two sealed letters of recommendation from the applicant s school facultycounselors or community activity supervisors In cooperation with Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS), finalists will be interviewed and winners will be selected by a panel of HIAS Chicago Board Members, community members and professional staff. Finalists must be available to participate in an in-person interview. All awards will be granted during the HIAS Chicago annual meeting in June 2016. The due date for receipt of applications is midnight February 21, 2016. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. Page 2 of 6
2016 HIAS CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE 1. PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Gender: Male Female Names used previously: Address: Street City, State, ZIP Phone Number: ( ) - ( ) - ( ) - Home Work Cell Email Address: Are you Jewish? Yes No Did you immigrate to the U.S. with the help of HIAS Chicago? Yes No If Yes, Date arrived: If you were born in the U.S., date of your parents or grandparents arrival: Names of family members who immigrated with you: andor did HIAS assist you with: Green card application Citizenship application Date filed Date filed 2. ACADEMIC INFORMATION Please list below all schools you have attended, beginning with your secondary (high school) education. Dates of Attendance Name of School Program of Study Did you graduate (YN)? GPA on a 4.0 scale Class Rank out of (if available) Page 3 of 6
3. ACADEMIC HONORS AWARDS 4. WORK EXPERIENCE List jobs held in both your native country and the U.S. beginning with your first job. Dates of Employment Employer Position Title Location 5. VOLUNTEER SERVICES YOU HAVE PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY 6. FAMILY AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION Are you financially dependent on your parents? Yes No Does any member of your family work for either HIAS Chicago or Yes No Jewish Child and Family Services? If Yes, please name them and list their relationship to you: Name: Relationship: Page 4 of 6
6. FAMILY AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED) Provide the information below for all members living in your household. The first line is for yourself. If a family member is not working, write None under job title. If receiving public assistance, write PA. If working parttime, check the box in the appropriate column. Name Relationship to Applicant Date of Birth Employer Job Title Part-time (YN) Annual Income Self List below any unusual debts or expenses for which your family is responsible that you feel should be considered in evaluating your financial need. Purpose of Debt Amount of Debt 7. PROPOSED TRAINING Describe the professional educational program in which you plan to enroll or have already enrolled. Name of School: Program: Field of study: Dates of proposed attendance: 8. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS SCHOLARSHIP? 9. STATEMENT OF ACCURACY By signing below, I affirm that all the above stated information provided by me is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and that if chosen as a scholarship winner, I must provide evidence of enrollment registration at the educational program of my choice before scholarship funds can be awarded. Signature: Date: Page 5 of 6
Please mail completed 2016 HIAS Chicago Scholarship Application along with other required information to: HIAS Chicago ATTN: Scholarship 216 W. Jackson St. Suite 700 Chicago, IL 60606 Questions? Contact Jessica Schaffer at (312) 673-3232 or JessicaSchaffer@jcfs.org. Page 6 of 6