A Chicago student interested in engineering may find two local routes, but they are not interchangeable. Chicago Engineers’ Foundation (CEF) accepts graduating seniors who live or study within the city and gain admission to an ABET-accredited engineering program. The Schreiber Scholarship belongs to Chicago Scholars and is limited to participants in that program who also meet need and Pell Grant criteria.
The CEF 2027 application opens January 1 and is due April 1. Applicants must graduate from high school in 2027, live in Chicago or attend a city high school, and begin in fall at an ABET-accredited four-year undergraduate engineering program. The university can be outside Illinois. The application portal details academic criteria and admission documents; a student who neither lives nor attends school in Chicago does not meet the geographic requirement.
CEF lists $1,200 for the senior entering college and $1,600 for each later year, up to $6,000 over four years if renewal conditions are met. Its Engineering Futures Fund also offers a competitive $5,000 award to one student at each level or cohort. Not every recipient gets that additional amount, and renewal requires a new application and continued eligibility. The foundation says funds may support tuition, books, technology, living costs, or other permitted college expenses.
The Schreiber award may provide up to $5,000 a year for as many as four years, adjusted each year to the student’s funding gap. Applicants must participate in Chicago Scholars, have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA, be Pell-eligible, pursue a full-time bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year institution, and demonstrate need. Recipients are also expected to complete at least two annual check-ins with Chicago Scholars staff. The 2026 call closed June 7; a 2027 date is not yet listed.
Can students combine them? The reviewed sources describe separate criteria and do not publish a general prohibition on receiving both, but that is not automatic approval. Report every award to the college financial-aid office and ask whether the total changes other need-based aid. Chicago Engineers’ Foundation is for future engineers with a local connection; the Schreiber Scholarship is only for young people already in Chicago Scholars.
Keep a personal calendar: prepare the ABET admission letter and CEF file early; students already in Chicago Scholars should watch their portal for the next Schreiber deadline. CEF lists an office at 65 West Jackson Boulevard. Chicago Scholars lists scholarships@chicagoscholars.org and 312-784-3300 at 141 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1521. Confirm the amount, renewal, allowed expenses, and effect on the college aid package before counting on the funds.
2027 Chicago Engineers’ Foundation Applications — Chicago Engineers’ Foundation.
Schreiber Scholarship — Chicago Scholars.
Guide checked against official sources on October 12, 2026. Amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines refer to the stated cycle; verify the next edition on the official website before applying.
The awards may be complementary, but each has separate eligibility and the college must confirm how they coordinate with existing aid.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Chicago Engineers’ Foundation Incentive Award Program
65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604
For graduating seniors who live in Chicago or attend a Chicago high school and begin engineering at a four-year university in fall 2027. The published renewable award is $1,200 as a senior/freshman and $1,600 for each later college year, up to $6,000 over four years if requirements are maintained. One student at each award level may be considered for $5,000 from the Engineering Futures Fund.
Renewable engineering scholarships for graduating seniors who live or attend school in Chicago
Schreiber Scholarship — Chicago Scholars
141 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1521, Chicago, IL 60604
Only Chicago Scholars participants graduating from high school, pursuing a full-time bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. four-year institution, demonstrating need, and eligible for a Pell Grant may apply; the minimum unweighted GPA is 3.0. Support may reach $5,000 per year for up to four years and is adjusted annually to the student’s funding gap.
Need-based renewable scholarship exclusively for Chicago Scholars participants
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Chicago Engineers’ Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Chicago Scholars · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Chicago Engineers’ Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Chicago Engineers’ Foundation Incentive Award Program ↗
Primary source
Chicago Engineers’ Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Chicago Engineers’ Foundation Incentive Award Program ↗
Primary source
Chicago Engineers’ Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Chicago Scholars · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Schreiber Scholarship — Chicago Scholars ↗
Primary source
Chicago Scholars · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Schreiber Scholarship — Chicago Scholars ↗
Primary source
Chicago Scholars · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.