Chicago Police and Fire Departments Scholarship

In honor of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments' dedicated leadership and service to the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is offering $15,000 annual scholarships to the children and grandchildren of members of the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, beginning August 2009.

"This new scholarship program will provide the families of our city's dedicated police and fire professionals increased opportunities to pursue a world-class education at IIT," said IIT Vice Provost of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Gerald P. Doyle. "We consider it a privilege to be able to give something back to those who risk their lives each day to protect the citizens of Chicago."

To be considered for a $15,000 scholarship, candidates must qualify for undergraduate admission to Illinois Institute of Technology as either a first-year or transfer student and be:

  • Children/grandchildren of a currently active, sworn member of either department, or former officer, firefighter or paramedic from either department in good standing
  • *Children/grandchildren of a fallen officer, firefighter, or paramedic

Recipients of the scholarship must complete a certification form and have it authorized by the designated official from the Chicago Police or Fire Department.

An eligible student is guaranteed a four-year (or five-year, for the College of Architecture) scholarship in the annual amount of $15,000 provided he or she is enrolled full-time and makes satisfactory academic progress.

*Where parents/grandparents have lost their lives in service to the City of Chicago, IIT will provide additional financial assistance to children/grandchildren beyond the $15,000 scholarship including additional financial support up to full tuition after federal and state grants and loans have been applied where the family's adjusted gross income is less than $40,000.

Download the application here.

View a press release from the mayor (PDF), read an article in the Chicago Tribune and view a couple posters for this program: poster 1, poster 2 (PDF).

If you have any questions about the scholarship, please contact your Admission Counselor or Jill Sifuentes in the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 312.567.6961 or sifuentes@iit.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: If a student earns multiple Illinois Institute of Technology merit scholarships throughout the admission process, the university will award the highest merit award for which the student is qualified, but will not combine multiple awards. For instance, the Police and Fire Scholarship may not be combined with a previously awarded Camras, Collens, University, Heald, Transfer or International Scholarship. Total IIT provided scholarships and/or tuition benefits may not exceed tuition.

Please mail applications and all supporting documents to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
10 West 33rd Street
Perlstein 101
Chicago, IL 60616


Contact Us


Recommend this site to a friend

© Illinois Institute of Technology - Office of Undergraduate Admission - Perlstein 101 - 10 West 33rd Street
Chicago, IL 60616 - Phone: 312.567.3025 / 800.448.2329   Emergency Information