Chicago Star Scholarship — City Colleges of Chicago
A last-dollar scholarship for eligible tuition, books, and required materials remaining after grants and aid; requires graduation from a partner high school, at least a 3.0 GPA, a structured program, and a processed aid file. Undocumented students may qualify.
About Chicago Star Scholarship — City Colleges of Chicago
Chicago Star is a last-dollar scholarship administered by City Colleges of Chicago, the city’s public college district. It is designed for graduates of Chicago Public Schools and Big Shoulders Fund partner high schools who want to earn an associate degree or certificate at City Colleges. Its main appeal is covering eligible costs left after other grants; its boundary matters just as much: it is not a promise to fund a bachelor’s degree at any university.
The official page requires a cumulative high-school GPA of at least 3.0 and enrollment in an eligible structured program. The academic catalog identifies partner-school types and requires a completed financial-aid file with FAFSA and verification; a student unable to file FAFSA must submit the college’s certification form. The policy also confirms that undocumented students may be eligible. Do not assume the scholarship requires a standardized test score: the published program criteria focus on partner school, GPA, program, and financial-aid file.
The award may cover eligible tuition, books, and required course materials left after Pell, MAP, or other applicable grants. City Colleges describes it as last-dollar aid: financial aid is processed first, then Star covers the authorized balance. Students may attend part time or full time, but the scholarship has a maximum three-year window beginning with the first fall term after graduation. If you do not start immediately, there is a rule tied to the second fall or the term defined in the catalog; confirm your graduation cohort with the Star team.
Start through the online City Colleges admission application, where students can indicate interest in Star. After admission, complete FAFSA and verification—or the alternative certification when applicable—enroll in an eligible program, and check status in the student portal. The deadline is not one fixed date for everyone: it is the last registration day for the next 16-week credit term. Consult the academic calendar before planning enrollment; if you miss the deadline, the program says it will process the application for the following semester.
Before accepting the package, request a breakdown of tuition, books, materials, and personal fees not covered by the residual award. If you plan to transfer to a four-year university, ask about transfer scholarships offered by some partners: those are separate programs with their own rules and decisions, and Chicago Star does not automatically extend to them. Use the official FAQ or email starscholarship@ccc.edu to confirm partner schools, file requirements, and eligibility. Completing the application on time helps the review, but the final award should appear in your account.
Who it serves and what it can cover: A last-dollar scholarship for eligible tuition, books, and required materials remaining after grants and aid; requires graduation from a partner high school, at least a 3.0 GPA, a structured program, and a processed aid file. Undocumented students may qualify.
How to apply or get help: Apply through the online City Colleges admission application and continue in the student portal. Each term’s deadline is the last day of registration for the upcoming 16-week credit term; check the academic calendar or email starscholarship@ccc.edu. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Local last-dollar scholarship for graduates of partner high schools in Chicago