Scholarships

Upon successful completion of Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA), select students may qualify for a scholarship to an Illinois community college. The Lincoln's ChalleNGe Scholarship Grant was established by the Governor and General Assembly as a special appropriation received by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). The scholarships are awarded to provide an opportunity for select graduates of Lincoln's ChalleNGe to transition easily into higher education by attending one of the forty-eight public community colleges in the state.

The number of scholarships awarded each class varies according to the funding available to ICCB. Cadets are selected for the scholarship based on their overall performance at LCA. This includes their behavior and performance at school, as well as on the team floor and during any other function involved with LCA.

Students who receive a Lincoln's ChalleNGe Scholarship should have met and be prepared to accept the following guidelines, as defined by the Illinois Community College Board:

Graduate from the Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy
Pass the GED test.
Enroll at one of the 48 Illinois public community colleges within your district in a certificate or degree program the next semester following graduation. (For example: June 06 LCA graduates would need to enroll in college by fall 06 semester.)
Students receiving the scholarship should submit the scholarship award letter to the LCA community college contact person. (List of contact persons for each college is provided in the cadet's graduation package or is available from the cadet's Case Manager.) The award letter is used for enrollment purposes and as proof that the student is a scholarship recipient.
Carry an academic load of at least 6 credit hours in each fall and spring semester.
Note: Students who have passed the GED test and completed and passed the Basic Computer Class and the English 101 class will earn 3 credit hours per class that is transferable to any state community college.
Transcripts for 3 credit hours in Basic Computer and three credit hours in English 101 must be requested for transfer from Parkland College (if not attending Parkland College) to the college the Lincoln Challenge graduate is attending.
The scholarship amount will be awarded up to $1000.00 per student per semester for 4 successive semesters to be used toward the completion of a degree or certificate program.
The scholarship grants can be used to cover the cost of education which includes tuition, books, fees, and required educational supplies.
Required to meet with his/her college contact at the time of enrollment, at mid-term, and arrange an exit interview before completing the semester.
Required to enroll in a college orientation class the first semester of attendance.

In order to remain qualified for a Lincoln's ChalleNGe Scholarship, each student must:

Submit a grade transcript showing successful completion of a minimum of 6 credit hours in the last semester and a Grade Point Average of 2.0 along with a renewal application (enclosed in packet) to the Illinois Community College Board requesting continuation of the scholarship for the next semester. The grade transcript and application must be postmarked by August 1 for application to the fall semester and January 1 for application for the spring semester. (Faxed copies are accepted.)
Comply with academic standards as defined by college policy. Exceptions to this rule, such as extenuating circumstances, shall be documented and reviewed by ICCB staff and a Lincoln's ChalleNGe community college contact.

As of Class 28, 2,089 scholarships have been awarded to cadets enrolled in the scholarship program.