High School Scholarship Essay Contest 

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Enter the 2022 Black History Month Scholarship Essay Contest

CPS Students submit essays via Academic Works

Non-CPS Students submit essays to CityTreasurerEvents@cityofchicago.org

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2022 Essay Question:

"Tell us about an African American leader in the Finance or Investments industry who has paved the way or is paving the way for future leaders. How has this person made an impact in your community?" (600-1200 words)

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As part of the Treasurer’s High School Scholarship Essay Contest, the Treasurer’s office annually awards non-renewable scholarships, sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, to support the cost of attending the first year of college to two high school students. This scholarship, open during Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizes seniors in high school who have displayed outstanding academic achievement or community involvement and who write a thoughtful and impactful essay on a topic related to the respective heritage month. This scholarship is open to all Chicago High Schools seniors and requires no minimum grade point average.  Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.

 

Below are the winners of previous Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month scholarships:  

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2021 - 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month 

First Place: Jade Avalos, World Language Academy High School

Second Place: Alicja Martinez, Carl Schurz High School

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2021 - 2022

Black History Month 

First Place: Jada E. Carey, Gary Comer College Prep

Second Place: Ezekiel Bramble, Von Steuben High School

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2020 - 2021

Hispanic Heritage Month

First Place: Alissa Medina - $1,500

Second Place: Jacqueline Guzman - $1,000 

 

2019 - 2020

Hispanic Heritage Month 

First Place: Abel Almanza - $1,500 
Second Place: Yovani Villeda Alvarez - $1,000 

 

Black History Month 

First Place: Tyler Smith - $1,500 

Second Place: Iyana Gross - $1,000