Mount Carmel High School Scholarships

TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

In August 2017, with bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed a comprehensive education funding bill that was signed into law by the governor. The law includes a provision for tax credit scholarships, which provide strong incentives for donors to support non-public school scholarships for low-income students in the state. Illinois students from low-income families may use these new scholarships to attend a non-public school of their choice.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

A number of awards are available to currently enrolled students each year by application beginning on December 1st. Selections are determined through essay competition and/or committee review. The application deadline is January 25, 2019:

The Richard Bertoldi ’54 Memorial Scholarship is awarded to two rising seniors who have demonstrated strong work ethic and will benefit from financial assistance in their senior year. ($3,000, one time)

The Call Your Mother Scholarship is awarded to a student who has learned what it means to be a Man of Carmel as raised by a single parent, or with the responsibility of being the first member of his family to attend college. ($1,000, one time)

The Michael McArdle 2005 Memorial Scholarship is awarded to one rising senior based on essay response to overcoming challenges. ($2,500, one time)

The Dr. Paul Nora ’46/Mornell Family Scholarship is awarded to one rising senior based on financial need and contributions to student life at Mount Carmel. This award is determined by committee selection. No application is required. ($10,000, one time)

The Promise Scholarship recipients are seniors who have been nominated by our principal and president. The recipients of this scholarship are expected carry the values and legacy of Mount Carmel into the future, and to pay forward the generosity of this award through future contributions of time, talent, and treasure. This award is determined by committee selection. No application is required.(Varies)

The Fr. Aloysius Sieracki, O.Carm Scholarship honors the legacy of Fr. Al by awarding students who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics. This award is determined by committee selection. No application is required. ($2,500, one time)

The Robert ’36 and Norma Sommer Memorial Scholarship – This need-based award honors the legacy of Mr. Sommer and extended family and is available to all current students. ($1,200, one time)

The Jack Walsh ‘66 Scholarship is awarded to one student each year following an essay competition which encourages them to explore the achievements of our alumni. ($1,500, one time)

The Brandon Jackson 2008 Scholarship is awarded to one rising senior who has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence as well as a passion for enhancing the Mount Carmel community through a variety of extra-curricular contributions. ($2,000, one time)

Financial Aid
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Scholarships for incoming Freshmen

The following scholarships are for incoming freshmen and are awarded based on criteria specified in applications. To access an application, please click the scholarship name and fill out the linked form. The application deadline is February 1, 2020

The Fr. David Dillon, O.Carm. ‘57 Scholarships - Students who score in the 98th or 99th percentile on the HSPT will receive a full-tuition scholarship for all four years, based on continued strength in academics and commitment to Caravan Values.

The Nicholas A. Iosue Academic Scholarships - Students who score in the 85th to 97th percentile on the HSPT will receive a tuition reduction scholarship of 25% for all four years, based on continued strength in academics and commitment to Caravan Values.

The Gilmore Legacy Scholarship– For students whose father, grandfather, or great-grandfather attended Mount Carmel. ($1,000, renewable)

The Shoulder to Shoulder Scholarship - $1,500 for the first sibling and $3,000 for the second sibling concurrently enrolled at Mount Carmel High School, renewable.

The St. John of the Cross Scholarship – Is a need-based award for students of Hispanic heritage. This award is determined by committee selection. No application is required. ($2,000, renewable)

Public Safety First Responder Scholarship – Is an award for students whose parents serve as police officers, firefighters, or paramedics. This award is also available to students who have a parent currently deployed in the U.S. military. ($1,000, renewable)

The James Barda Leadership Award honors Jim Barda who passed away the summer before his anticipated graduation from Mount Carmel. Established by family members and Class of 1963 friends. Barda Leaders are held to high expectations inside and outside of the classroom. ($2,000, renewable)

B.P.A.C. Scholarship was established by members of the Class of 1959 who grew up in the South Shore neighborhood. This scholarship is available to graduates of St. Philip Neri School. (Varies, $1,500 and above)

The Coach “E” Scholarship honors the life and legacy of beloved coach and teacher Mr. Curt Ehrenstrom ’79 and is awarded to one incoming freshman who has demonstrated potential in science and who is committed to Caravan Values. ($2,500, need-based, renewable)

The John J. Hrisney ’63 Scholarship is an endowed scholarship established by John Hrisney to assist students who fit the profile of a Caravan man and who are committed to bettering themselves and the Mount Carmel community. ($1,500, renewable)

The Hynan Family Award supports families who have three or more students enrolled in Catholic schools. ($2,000, renewable)

The Lenti Legacy Scholarship is awarded to one incoming freshman who has demonstrated leadership in the community and in the classroom. ($2,500, renewable)

The McDonald Family Award is an endowed scholarship awarded on the basis of financial need. Interested students submit essays regarding why they have chosen to attend Mount Carmel and how their work ethic can propel them toward their goals. ($1,250, renewable)

The James McHugh Family Scholarship is awarded to one incoming student each year who is a direct descendant of an alum and who presents a strong case for how his heritage has shaped who he is and what his goals are. ($1,500, renewable)

The MC President’s Scholarship – This award is given to one incoming freshman who has demonstrated success in the classroom and community. This scholarship is determined by committee selection. No application is required ($10,000, renewable)

The Stella Myers Scholarship is awarded to one incoming freshman who has demonstrated strong work ethic outside of the classroom. ($1,500, renewable)

The Robert ‘36 and Norma Sommer Memorial President’s Scholarship – This is a need-based award given to one incoming freshman based on financial need and academic potential. This scholarship is determined by committee selection. No application is required. ($10,000, renewable)

The Frank Swiderski, Jr. Scholarship is awarded to one to three incoming freshmen who have an interest in the arts and need financial assistance. ($5,000, renewable)

Families with students in 7^th and 8^th grade should also check with the organizations listed below for potential awards. Many of these scholarship partners have fall deadlines in place, so it is important to plan ahead and make inquiries early!

Big Shoulders - Students who are current recipients of Big Shoulders funding should consult with their principal to determine if the award is valid into high school. Mount Carmel will consider all other students for application after review of financial need. Families cannot apply independently. www.bigshouldersfund.org

Chicago Fire Department Gold Badge Society - $2,000, non-renewable. www.cfdgoldbadgesociety.org

Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation - $5,000 annually. www.dmsf.org

Folds of Honor Scholarships - Assistance available to children of fallen or disabled service members. www.foldsofhonor.org/scholarships

High Sight - Awards vary, renewable. www.highsight.org

Holy Family Chicago Scholars (HFS) - Number and amount of awards each year varies, renewable.

www.hfschicagoscholars

Horizons for Youth - Awards vary. Students begin relationship with Horizons during grade school years. www.horizons-for-youth.org/

LINK, Unlimited - Awards vary, renewable. www.linkunlimited.org/web/

The Quigley Scholars Program - $2,500, renewable. www.quigleyscholars.org/

SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL

All internal scholarship are renewable if the student meets the minimum requirement. Barda, Legacy, Shoulder to Shoulder, McHugh, McDonald and merit scholarships are automatically renewed. For all other scholarships, students must reapply each academic year. All students receiving scholarships have the responsibilities listed below. In addition, each scholarship may have other requirements such as service hours, or higher GPA requirements. Details will be outlined in scholarship notification letters. Minimum requirements for all scholarship recipients are:

To work to achieve his academic potential, and to maintain a minimum GPA of at least 2.0; (**Academic Scholarship requirements vary);
To participate annually in at least one sport or extracurricular activities of the student’s choice;
To cooperate with all school policies and procedures and maintain an excellent discipline record;
To participate in school events and student fundraisers such as the annual walkathon.