People who seize opportunities. Creators of their own futures. Pullman Scholars come from the north side, west side, south side and suburbs. They are no strangers to adversity and conquer challenges head on. They represent the Chicago area’s rich cultural diversity. Most importantly, they know that earning a college degree is the key to their success.

  • You’ll receive up to $10,000 per year for four years
  • You’ll have the support of the Pullman Foundation Staff and the Pullman Scholar Community for your four years of college and beyond
  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Be a Cook County, Illinois resident
  • Be enrolling as a full-time student in the fall, for the first time, to receive a bachelor’s degree
  • Be attending an accredited bachelor’s degree-granting institution in the fall that is eligible to receive Title IV federal aid and is located within the U.S.
  • Demonstrate strong financial need
  • Have a cumulative 3.0 unweighted GPA or higher
  • Be eligible to receive state and federal aid and will file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
  • Not currently attending a college or community college, or hold any degree (This does not include dual enrollment as a high school senior)

As applicants proceed through the stages, they will receive other deadlines for submitting transcripts, the interview process, submitting the FAFSA Submission Summary, and submitting college acceptance letters and financial aid award forms.

11·2024

01·2025

Application Closes

January 31st

02·2025

Semi-finalists Notified

End of February

04·2025

Finalists Notified

Mid-April

05·2025

New Scholar Class Notified

Beginning of May

07·2025

New Scholar Class Publicly Announced

Mid-July

In order to apply, applicants must:

  • Complete and submit an online application which includes three essays and questions related to your cumulative unweighted GPA, family income, high school activities, classes taken in high school, etc.
  • Have two recommendation forms submitted by individuals who can speak to your strengths, achievements, growth, etc. (e.g. a teacher, mentor, guidance counselor, employer, boss, etc.)
  • Use the link below to access the 2025 scholarship application. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, January 31, 2025.

The application process is open from the beginning of November to the end of January.

Yes, you may apply for our scholarship if you have not been accepted to a college yet. However, finalists must verify their college acceptance and financial aid package.

Your application and recommendation forms can only be submitted electronically through our online application software.

Consider people who can speak to your strengths, growth, achievements, and/or involvements. One recommendation must come from a teacher and another must be filled out by an adult who can speak to who you are and your accomplishments (a counselor, advisor, mentor, coach, teacher, manager, boss, etc.). No recommendation forms from family members or personal friends will be accepted.

Incoming first-year scholars are awarded scholarships up to $10,000, depending on financial need.

As long as you are in good standing with the Foundation, you can renew your scholarship for up to four years (eight semesters) of full-time undergraduate study.

The Foundation awards scholarships based on financial need and merit. To understand your financial situation, the Foundation needs to know how much federal and/or state aid you are receiving, as well as additional grants and scholarships you may be receiving from your college or university and other sources.

New scholars will be notified in mid-May.

The number of scholarships awarded each year varies, but typically we award 25-30 new scholarships. The Foundations hopes to award as many scholarships as our budget allows.

Please contact Anne Stretz, Scholarship Program Director, at astretz@pullmanfoundation.org with specific questions.

Once you submit your application form and three essays, you will receive an immediate confirmation from the software and a confirmation email. You will not receive confirmation when your recommenders submit their forms, but they will receive an immediate confirmation from the software and a confirmation email. To know if everything was submitted, the Foundation recommends asking your recommenders if they submitted their forms correctly and on time.

You will need to read the Pullman Scholar Handbook and sign the Pullman Scholar Agreement which details all expectations. You’ll also need to attend mandatory events such as the Annual Pullman Scholar Symposium.