Are you ready to make a difference in lives of students across the city?

The educators of tomorrow are in the seeds of today.

At City Colleges, we are creating a diverse learning community for future educators that includes merit-based scholarships and a cohort of like-minded peers, as well as direct paths to a four-year degree, teaching licenses, and employment with CPS.

City Colleges of Chicago is helping aspiring teachers reach their goals with the S.E.E.D. Scholarship, which can be used to cover:

  • Tuition
  • Books
  • Class materials
  • Individualized wrap around support services
  • SEED Scholars who subsequently earn an Illinois Professional Educator License will have priority placement for a full-time teaching job in CPS school.

Track 1: Teach Chicago Tomorrow

in partnership with CPS (full-time students)

Do you already know you want to teach elementary school? This is the opportunity for you!

You will:

  • Have at least a 2.5 GPA with two references
  • Complete your associate degree in elementary education at City Colleges of Chicago in two years
  • Become specialized in either ESL or Special Education
  • Participate in all your cohort’s activities, including a six-week summer bootcamp (summer stipend will be provided)
  • Transfer directly to Illinois State University to complete your bachelor’s degree (must maintain a 2.75 GPA)

TRACK 2: Emerging Educators

in partnership with Truman College (full-time or part-time students)

You know you want to work in education, but aren’t sure exactly what grade you’d like to teach. The Emerging Educators Cohort is the right place for you!

You will:

  • Have at least a 2.5 GPA
  • Complete your associate degree in an Education Pathway at City Colleges of Chicago
  • Participate in professional development offered by the SEED Scholarship team
  • Transfer to any 4-year institution to complete your studies (must maintain a 2.5 GPA)

The SEED Scholarship launched in fall 2021 for CPS graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021, and has included undocumented students and students from CPS charter schools who apply and enroll in Teach Chicago Tomorrow and the Emerging Educator program.

City Colleges will offer up to $3,000 in individual scholarship dollars each year to at least 100 students, with the scholarship amount based on the number of credits taken. Students taking 6-8 credits per semester will receive a stipend of $750/semester, students taking 9-11 credits will receive a stipend of $1,000/semester, and students taking 12 or more credits will receive a stipend of $1,500/semester.

The scholarship will be renewable based on eligibility. Students can also apply for other scholarships on top of SEED.

After acceptance into the SEED Scholarship, students will complete a City Colleges of Chicago application.

Steps to Apply

  • Complete the interest form. A City Colleges of Chicago representative will follow up with you directly with the next steps.

    Fill out the Interest Form

  • Apply to City Colleges of Chicago at ccc.edu/apply

  • Complete the FAFSA or RISE Act application.

    • The scholarship stipend will be applied to anything not already covered by financial aid, for CCC courses on an approved academic pathway.

The Inaugural Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership