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

To be considered for the LINK Unlimited Scholars program, applicants must:

Mission & Identity Alignment

  • Be able to show that they have experienced or been affected by systems of inequity, especially those that disproportionately affect Black students and communities.
  • Demonstrate a personal, familial, or cultural connection to Black identity, community, or experience through various aspects of their lived experiences, community involvement, and personal background.
  • Exhibit a commitment to service, leadership, and making an impact in Black communities.

Academic Readiness & Personal Qualities

  • Currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and prepared to actively engage in LINK’s long-term, college-focused fellowship.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Have maintained at least 90% school attendance.
  • Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and motivation to succeed.
  • Show capacity for and commitment to extracurricular involvement (e.g., sports, clubs, community service).
  • Exhibit the ability to build meaningful peer relationships and a strong interest in a mentoring relationship.

Financial Eligibility

  • Demonstrate financial need in accordance with HUD’s Low-Income Guidelines for Cook County.
  • Be able to submit required financial documentation, including:
    • Most recent W-2 and federal tax return (1040).
    • Other documentation as requested for income verification.
If you’re interested in becoming a LINK Scholar, carefully read about our admissions process and expectations. If you have any questions, please email our admissions team at BeAScholar@linkunlimited.org.

Applications are now closed.

Application Timeline

OCT–JAN
Phase 1: Apply Online & Attend an Information Session
Students and their families apply to LINK Unlimited Scholars in the fall of their 6th , 7th , or 8th grade year. The entire application, including recommendations, must be completed online. Applications open on October 3, 2025.

Students and families must attend an Information Session to be considered for an interview. Attending before applying is strongly encouraged so you have full knowledge of the LINK fellowship, eligibility requirements, and participation expectations. Students and families will be notified of upcoming Information Session dates.

NOTE: Attending a session is not required in order to submit an application.

JAN–MAR
Phase 2: Application Review

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Families will be notified if a student does not meet eligibility criteria. If additional documents are needed, we’ll provide clear instructions. To ensure your student’s application is considered, all requested materials must be submitted by the stated deadline.

MAR–APR
Phase 3: Attend an Information Session

To be considered for an interview, students and families must attend an Information Session. We recommend attending a session before completing the application. Students and families will be notified of upcoming Information Session dates.

NOTE: Attending a session is required in order to be considered for an interview.

JAN–MAR
Phase 4: Student & Family Interviews

Virtual interviews will take place January – March. Interviews are by invitation only. Not all applicants will be invited to an interview.

APR-MAY
Phase 5: Application Decision Notification

Acceptance notifications will be emailed between April and early May. To secure a spot, applicants must reply by the stated deadline; otherwise, the offer will be considered declined.

MAY-AUG
Phase 6: New Scholar Orientation

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.
  • Attendance at the mandatory New Scholar Orientation on May 30, 2026 from 10am-12pm.
  • Successful completion of the mandatory four-week Summer Learning Program (early July–early August 2026, Monday–Thursday).

Scholar Application FAQs

1. Who does LINK Unlimited Scholars serve?

Since our founding in 1966, LINK has been driven by a mission to confront and close the racial gaps in education and access to opportunity for Black students. That commitment remains at the heart of our mission. Today, our Scholar community continues to reflect this legacy, with the vast majority of students identifying as Black while others identify with more than one racial background, including Latino/a, White, Asian, and Other.

We are proud that our Scholars represent the rich diversity of Chicago. We intentionally recruit students from across Chicagoland, with focused outreach in 10 neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago, communities that have long experienced persistent disparities in education, economic opportunity, public safety, and health outcomes. Currently, our Scholars come from communities that represent more than 60 zip codes across Chicagoland and attend a diverse range of schools spanning Chicago, Cook County, and Lake County.

Our culturally responsive programming, rooted in academic, social-emotional, and leadership development, remains specifically designed to meet the needs of the communities we serve, honoring the multifaceted identities of our Scholars while maintaining our commitment to uplifting and empowering them to thrive in school, lead in their communities, and succeed to, through, and beyond college.

  • Our application process focuses on demonstrated commitment to leadership, service, and impact within communities that have been affected by systemic inequities, especially those that disproportionately impact Black communities. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they:
  • Are currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and prepared to actively engage in LINK’s long-term, college-focused fellowship.
  • Have experienced or been affected by systemic inequities, including educational, economic, or social barriers, especially those that disproportionately impact Black students and communities.
  • Have a personal, familial, or cultural connection to Black identity, community, or experience through various aspects of their lived experiences, community involvement, and personal background.
  • Exhibit a commitment to service, leadership, and making an impact in Black communities.

Academic Readiness & Personal Qualities

  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Have maintained at least 90% school attendance.
  • Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and motivation to succeed.
  • Show capacity for and commitment to extracurricular involvement (e.g., sports, clubs, community service).
  • Exhibit the ability to build meaningful peer relationships and a strong interest in a mentoring relationship.

Financial Eligibility

  • Demonstrate financial need in accordance with HUD’s Low-Income Guidelines for Cook County.
  • Be able to submit required financial documentation, including:
    • Most recent W-2 and federal tax return (1040).
    • Other documentation as requested for income verification.

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?

In order to be eligible for LINK, families must demonstrate financial need and low-income based on HUD’s Low-Income Guidelines for Cook County. To verify eligibility, families must submit the following financial documentation:

  • Most recent W-2 and federal tax return (Form 1040)
  • Any additional documents requested for income verification

LINK staff will evaluate each family’s ability to contribute to the cost of the student’s education. If selected for an interview, applicants must provide full verification of income and assets.

For students attending private schools, scholarships are awarded specifically to those from families who meet low-income criteria. See the below table from www.hud.gov.

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.

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.

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LINK Unlimited Scholars, 17 North State Street, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60602 • 312-225-5465 • info@linkunlimited.org

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