APPLICATIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 2029 ARE NOW OPEN. APPLY NOW!

BE A SCHOLAR

Change your life trajectory by becoming a LINK Scholar.

What does it mean to be a LINK Scholar?

Our Scholars complete a four-year fellowship that is advanced through one-on-one mentoring. Our programming elements include Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, Career Exposure, and College Access. In addition to the following Eligibility Requirements, see the Application Timeline and Scholar Application FAQs for our Scholar standards.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Student must be a Black 8th grade student with a demonstrated financial need. For more clarity on how financial need is determined, see the FAQs below.
  • Student must reside in the Chicagoland area and plan to attend a LINK Unlimited Scholars partner school or other CPS Selective Enrollment High School.
  • Competitive candidates are confident communicators who are highly motivated, focused, and involved in school and community; desire mentoring; and are college-bound. We seek candidates with strong academic records.

LINK Unlimited is a college prep and career readiness fellowship that requires students and parents to exhibit commitment, responsibility, and a willingness to actively participate in the organizational programming. Attendance is critically important.

If you’re interested in becoming a LINK Scholar, carefully read about our admissions process and expectations. We also encourage you to attend one of our information sessions (click here for Info Session RSVP form) or email our admissions team at BeAScholar@linkunlimited.org.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 2029 ARE NOW OPEN.

APPLY NOW

Application Timeline for the Class of 2029

OCT–FEB
PHASE 1 APPLY ONLINE

October – February

Students and their families apply to LINK Unlimited Scholars in the fall of 8th grade year. The entire application, including recommendations, must be completed online. Applications for the class of 2029 Fellowship will open October 1, 2024.

FEB
PHASE 2 APPLICATION REVIEW

February

Applications will be reviewed by the LINK Unlimited Scholars team throughout February to determine which applicants will move forward to the interview phase. Virtual interview invitations are extended to families via email in late February.

MAR
PHASE 3 INTERVIEW

March

Virtual interviews will take place through March. Interviews are by invitation only.

APRIL
PHASE 4 STATUS NOTIFICATION

April

Acceptance via email will be sent in April. Applicants will have until the end of April to provisionally accept or decline the invitation to join LINK Unlimited Scholars.

APR-MAY
PHASE 5 ORIENTATION PROCESS

April-May

Final program enrollment will be granted when the following criteria have been met:

  • A signed LINK Scholar-Family Agreement has been submitted
  • Acceptance and enrollment at a LINK high school partner is confirmed
  • Attend the mandatory New Scholar-Family Orientation
  • Successful completion of the mandatory six-week Summer Learning Program during the summer of 2025

Scholar Application FAQs

1. Who qualifies to be a LINK Unlimited Scholar?

Any Black 8th grade student with demonstrated financial need is eligible to apply to LINK Unlimited Scholars. Competitive candidates are confident communicators who are highly motivated, focused, involved in school and community, desire mentorship, and are college-bound. We seek candidates with strong academic records and good moral character.

Students who are already in high school are not eligible to apply to the LINK Unlimited Scholars program.

2. What is considered a strong academic record?

While we will evaluate students’ end of 7th grade report card and standardized test scores (NWEA/MAP), we know that academic potential can be measured in many other ways. For this reason, we look closely at the recommendation letters from each applicant’s 7th grade English/language arts and mathematics teachers. Those recommendations will give us a sense of the applicant’s study habits, work ethic, academic discipline, motivation, and drive.

3. My student has an IEP and/or 504 Plan. Can my student still apply to LINK Unlimited Scholars?

Yes, we encourage students with IEP and/or 504 Plans to apply to LINK.

4. Does the family have to pay anything?

Each family’s ability to contribute toward the educational cost of the student will be evaluated by LINK staff. If selected for an interview, applicants must provide verification of income and assets. Generally, scholarships have been awarded to students from families with 80% or less of Chicago Area Median Income (AMI). See the guidelines below.

5. Do I need to submit financial information even if my student will not be attending a tuition-based high school?

Yes, each application must include financial information, regardless of the type of high school your student plans to attend. Even though not all LINK Scholars receive a financial scholarship, LINK seeks to service a specific subset of students: Black students with demonstrated financial need.

6. Does the scholarship apply to any school?

The LINK scholarship only applies to our Partnering High Schools.

7. I am only interested in the scholarship offered. What if I do not want my child having a mentor through LINK or I do not need/want the programming components?

In addition to our parents, LINK mentors are an integral part of the success we have here at LINK. It is expected that each family applying is interested and committed to ALL aspects of our programming including having a mentor for your child. The mentor relationship is viewed equally with our Scholars’ academics performance and full participation in our programs. Parents play a crucial role in the growth of the mentor/Scholar bond.

8. How do I apply for the high schools on your list?

Visit each school’s website or call them directly to learn more about the school’s application process. LINK cannot guarantee a student’s acceptance into one of our partner schools, nor can we help students get into a school after their deadline.

9. When is the application deadline for LINK?

Eighth grade students begin the application process for our four-year fellowship in the fall. Applications are typically due in mid-Winter. Please consult the website or our Programs team for pending deadlines. Contact our Programs teams for the upcoming deadline.

10. Is attending an info session a requirement to apply?

No, you do not have to attend an info session to be eligible to apply; however, it is strongly encouraged.

12. What are the requirements for LINK Scholars and families?

Beyond the requirements listed under “Program Expectations” on the Become A Scholar page:

  • Scholars and families are required to check email frequently and reply in a timely manner (48-72 business hours) to all communication, unless a different deadline is specified.
  • Scholars and families are required to attend all mandatory programming, including but not limited to: annual orientation meetings, college counseling sessions, Saturday Academy, and Summer Learning.
  • Scholars are expected to maintain regular communication with their mentors.

Together we impact the life trajectory of our Scholars.

DONATE NOW

LINK Unlimited Scholars, 2221 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60616-3894 • 312-225-5465 • [email protected]

SearchPostsLogin