AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/higher-education/)
Eleven Austin high school students out of nearly 600 citywide have been accepted into the Chicago Scholars program. Since 1996, about 900 students have completed the program, which provides support throughout college and once the participants have graduated.
James Nnabuihe graduated as valedictorian last month from Austin College & Career Academy. He will be the third sibling to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he plans to study math.
High school seniors can start completing the Free Application for Financial Student Aid form. All seniors attending Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School are required to fill out the FAFSA, apply to at least 10 colleges and submit at least two scholarship applications.
West Side residents now can apply to take a 32-week college-credit program at Austin Town Hall starting this fall. Students in the Odyssey Project study with professors from local universities and can earn up to six transferable college credits from Bard College. The application deadline to apply for the free program is Aug. 15.
Marquise Linnear is studying math at the University of Illinois after overcoming some challenges and getting help from Bottom Line, a nonprofit that helps first-generation students from low-income backgrounds attend and graduate from college.
The documentary Derek Grace made about Spencer Elementary Technology Academy’s annual College Week can be seen on America ReFramed.
Third Unitarian Church celebrated the 17 students at a ceremony last weekend; this is the 42nd year they’ve doled out money to West Side residents.
Dozens of students have received financial assistance from Greater St. John Bible Church over the last 12 years.
Both earn four-year scholarships through the Pullman Foundation.