SMASH Academy is a free, three-year, intensive, STEM-focused residential college prep program that empowers students to deepen their talents and pursue STEM careers. For five weeks every summer, scholars are immersed in tuition-free studies at leading universities throughout the country. During the academic year, scholars participate in monthly programming.
Since 2019 Illinois Tech has partnered with SMASH, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and CPASS Foundation to serve students in Chicago, Carbondale, Illinois, and the East St. Louis Metro Area to form the state-wide SMASH Illinois initiative.
Starting the summer after ninth grade and beyond, SMASH Illinois students live and study at Illinois Tech for five weeks to build core technical skills in computing, to form a robust community of peers, to connect with STEM professionals, and to gain access to college and work readiness opportunities.
Learn more about SMASH Learn more about CPASS Foundation
SMASH Scholarship at Illinois Tech
All SMASH alumni are eligible to receive a SMASH scholarship from Illinois Tech. This scholarship is a 50 percent tuition scholarship, renewable for four years (up to five for architecture).
In order to receive the scholarship, students must apply and be admitted to Illinois Tech through the Common Application during their senior year of high school by August 1. No additional application is required.
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.
Apply to Illinois Tech View Scholarship Announcement
Contact Us
For more information on SMASH Academy and the SMASH Scholarship at Illinois Tech, contact:
Scott Tillman
Associate Director of Pre-College Access
stillman@iit.edu
Paige Minett
SMASH Illinois Site Director
Paige.minett@smash.org