Diversity Award

The Diversity Award application is available online through your OASIS portal. Only complete scholarship applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the scholarship committee.

Please follow all directions carefully. Students must submit the following materials to make a complete Diversity Award application - there are four parts to the application:

Provide a one-page biography that tells the committee something about you, your background, and your life goals.

Provide a three- to five-page essay that describes the importance of diversity in the higher education setting, particularly as it pertains to the culture of Columbia College.

Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be completed by a Columbia College faculty or staff member. The other must be completed by a program director or a church or community based organization administrator who can comment on your current involvement in a diversity initiative.

Note: Remember to contact your recommender directly before providing his/her information on the application. Be sure to give recommenders as much time as possible to write the letters. Requests made at the last minute are often difficult to fulfill by the deadline.

A current Student Aid Report (SAR) must be on file. To receive an SAR, students must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA), available after January 1st of each year.

Access online application form through OASIS portal:

1. Applicant Portal: You may scroll through the list of scholarship programs until you locate the Diversity Award, and then select the "Start Application" link.


2. Scholarship Search: Select the "Search Scholarships" link in the navigation on the left-hand side of the page. You may search for the Diversity Award by using category, keyword, or description/name search. Once you locate the program, select the "More Info" link to be taken to the application form.

• Application must be submitted by February 01, 2013 (11:59 pm) for review by the committee
• Maximum amount of this one-year award is up to $5000, half awarded in Fall and half awarded in Spring
• Recipients who graduate in Fall 2013 will receive a one-semester award up to $2500
• The award is applied toward tuition costs
• Students must be enrolled at full-time status at the time of application and must maintain full-time enrollment during the 2013-14 academic year
• Students who are not selected to receive the award may compete in subsequent years provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria
• Scholarship may not be used toward independent study abroad programs. Please note: Recipients who enroll in an independent study abroad program will forfeit their scholarship during the semester spent abroad
• Recipients will be asked to submit a short biography describing their background and life goals that will be shared with donors; portions of the essay may also be used for publication
• The rules and regulations governing other sources of financial aid (federal, state, institutional and other grants, gifts, or loans) will apply
• Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to withhold the award in any year in which, at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee, suitable candidates cannot be found among applicants