• 2026 Scholarship Applications Are Closed.
Monarch Awards Foundation annually provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors attending a Chicago metropolitan area high school and current college students who are Chicago area high school alumni.
The awards are for students who are or will enroll in an accredited four-year college or university to earn their first undergraduate degree.
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on a combination of academic achievements, active participation in extracurricular and/or community service activities, written communication skills demonstrated in the required essay recommendation letters.
Monarch Awards Foundation Scholarships
We are proud to offer several scholarships to graduating seniors currently attending a high school within the Chicago Metropolitan Area, as well as college students currently attending a Historically Black College or University or an Illinois College or University. In addition to these merit-based scholarships, we are also offering a scholarship based on financial need.
Celebrating Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Dreams fueled by determination deserve to be celebrated. This month, we proudly recognize an outstanding group of students who have earned 2026 scholarship awards through their academic achievement, leadership, perseverance, and commitment to serving others.
Congratulations to our 2026 Monarch Awards Foundation Scholarship Recipients:
Chicago Metropolitian High School Scholarship
Jasmine McGhee
Amariyah Mallory
Cheyenne Smith
Izaiah Smith
Harriet Byrd Scanlon Teen Esteem Scholarship
Jillian Medley
Gerlanda L. Miller Scholarship
Joshua Ogundipe
Illinois College or University
Shania Hudson
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Amari Silas
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Delta Omicron Chapter
Ashley Clausell
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Pi Nu Chapter
Audryonna Reddick
These remarkable scholars represent the promise of tomorrow and the bright future of our communities. We are honored to invest in their educational journeys as they pursue their first college degrees and prepare to lead, innovate, and create meaningful change.
To every student who applied, thank you for sharing your inspiring stories and aspirations with us.
The caliber of this year's applicants was truly exceptional, making the selection process both competitive and rewarding. We applaud you and encourage you to continue pursuing your goals.
We look forward to celebrating the continued accomplishments of this year's scholarship recipients and all of the promising students who inspire us through their resilience, ambition, and purpose.
Chicago Area Metropolitan High School Scholarship
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Must be graduating senior attending a high school in Cook County in Illinois.
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Must be planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the fall of 2026.
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Must have a minimum unweighted, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Must show proof of acceptance to and enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university before the scholarship is awarded.
Gerlanda L. Miller Scholarship
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Must be a graduating senior attending a high school in Cook County in Illinois.
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Must be planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the fall of 2026.
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Must have a minimum unweighted, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Must show both proof of acceptance to and enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university before the scholarship is awarded.
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Must demonstrate financial need by submitting the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
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To apply for this need-based scholarship, complete the application for the Chicago Metropolitan Area High School Scholarship and check the box on the application to apply for the Gerlanda L. Miller Scholarship.
Historically Black College or University Scholarship (HBCU)
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Must have obtained at least a Second Semester Freshman status at an accredited four-year HBCU and be working toward a first Bachelor’s degree.
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Must show proof of graduation from a Chicago Metropolitan Area high school.
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Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Must show proof of enrollment in an accredited HBCU before the scholarship is awarded.
Illinois College or University Scholarship
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Must have obtained at least a Second Semester Freshman status at an accredited four-year college or university in Illinois and be working toward a first Bachelor's degree.
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Must show proof of graduation from a Chicago Metropolitan Area high school.
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Must have a minimum unweighted, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Must show proof of acceptance to and enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university in Illinois before the scholarship is awarded.
Harriet Byrd-Scanlon Teen Esteem Scholarship
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Must be a graduating senior participant in the 2025-2026 Teen Esteem Program.
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Must be planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the fall of 2026.
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Must have a minimum unweighted, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Must show proof of acceptance to and enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university before the scholarship is awarded.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Delta Omicron and Pi Nu Scholarship
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Must be currently enrolled as a student.
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Must be an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A Note to Our Scholarship Applicants
Education continues to be one of the most powerful investments in an individual's future. At Monarch Awards Foundation, we are proud to support students as they pursue their first college degree and prepare to become the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
This year, we were honored to receive hundreds of scholarship applications from exceptional students whose academic achievement, leadership, and service to their communities made the selection process both inspiring and highly competitive.
Thank you for applying for a Monarch Awards Foundation scholarship. We appreciate the effort and dedication reflected in every application and wish each of you continued success in your educational journey. Our Scholarship Committee is carefully reviewing each submission, and applicants will be notified of the selection results soon. We thank you for your patience and look forward to celebrating this year's scholarship recipients.