George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Scholarship

The George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Scholarship is for high-school seniors living in Cook County, Illinois, who are beginning a full-time bachelor’s degree for the first time at an accredited U.S. institution eligible for federal Title IV aid. It is not open to every Chicago resident: applicants must also show substantial financial need, be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have at least a 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA.

The award can reach $10,000 per year for four years, subject to renewal and financial need. The Foundation opens the 2027 application on November 1, 2026, and closes it February 1, 2027. Students do not need an admission letter to apply, although finalists must later confirm acceptance and share the college’s financial-aid offer so the Foundation can complete its review.

The file includes three essays, family-income and GPA information, activities, coursework, and recommendations from two people familiar with the applicant’s growth. The Foundation requests FAFSA because it reviews federal, state, and college aid when assessing need. Applications are submitted through an online system; required records must complete the file, and starting a form without supporting materials does not make it ready for review.

Recipients also receive support from Foundation staff and a scholar community during college. Ask how renewal is reviewed and what part of the cost the institution can cover with the award. The scholarship is designed for first-time college enrollment rather than transfer students; high-school dual-enrollment coursework may still fit the published eligibility rules.

Official program information and application