ABOUT US
We offer a solution for closing the educational access and opportunity gaps for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, especially Black youth in Chicago.
LINK Unlimited Scholars impacts the life trajectory of our Scholars.
History
In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Chicago, where he inspired John and Carolyn Parmer to fulfill his dream in the city they called home. LINK Unlimited Scholars was born when they made a decision to mentor and support a single Black student through four years of high school—and they asked their friends to do the same.
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FAQs
OUR ORGANIZATION
At LINK Unlimited Scholars, our mission has always centered on advancing educational equity by supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Since our founding, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to serving Black students and communities most impacted by systemic barriers to opportunity.
As we grow and deepen our impact, we recognize that our Scholars increasingly reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the communities we serve. Today, while over 90% of our Scholars identify as Black/African American, 6% identify with more than one racial background, including Latino/a, White, Asian, and Other. This evolving demographic underscores the intersectional identities of our Scholars and the importance of delivering programming that is culturally responsive and inclusive.
We intentionally recruit Scholars from across the entire Chicagoland area, with a focused investment in 10 neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides, communities that have long experienced systemic disinvestment, resulting in persistent disparities in education, economic opportunity, public safety, and health outcomes. Currently, our Scholars come from communities that represent more than 60 zip codes and attend a diverse range of schools spanning Chicago, Cook County, and Lake County.
Our recruitment and programming remain guided by a commitment to racial equity, access, and community impact, ensuring that our Scholars, inclusive of their specific racial identities, receive the holistic support needed to thrive to, through, and beyond college.
Four-year fellowship; scholarship; programming, mentoring
LINK tuition scholarships are meant to supplement the financial aid awarded by partnering private schools to reduce the amount of expected family contribution. Families are responsible for the cost of tuition and school-related fees outside of the financial support that LINK and/or outside scholarships may provide. If awarded a LINK fellowship, families must verify eligibility each year of the Scholar’s participation in LINK. The number of scholarships available to each incoming class may vary.
OUR SCHOLARS
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.
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.
Yes, we encourage students with IEP and/or 504 Plans to apply to LINK.
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.
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: high-potential Black students with demonstrated financial need.
The LINK scholarship only applies to our Partnering High Schools.
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.
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.
The application deadline for the Class of 2028 is February 2, 2024, at 11:59 PM. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- The application deadline for the High School Fellowship class of 2028 is Friday, February 2 at 11:59PM. Application workshops will be held on Tuesday, January 16 from 7PM-8 PM and Wednesday, January 31 from 7PM-8PM. All workshops will be virtual.
- The application deadline for the Jr Link Fellowship class of 2026 is Friday, March 22nd at 11:59PM.
No, you do not have to attend an info session to be eligible to apply; however, it is strongly encouraged.
Applicants are not able to submit additional recommendation letters.
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 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.
LINK Unlimited Scholars, 17 North State Street, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60602 • 312-225-5465 • info@linkunlimited.org