Non-Degree Programs Credential Programs Data & Policy Summer Scholar Program Harris Credential Community Impact Scholarship Initiative Civic Leadership Academy Starting in April 2025, the application for admission to a Harris Credential Program will include a supplemental essay prompt for applicants who want to be considered for the Community Impact Scholarship. Essays will be evaluated by the Harris Credential Programs admissions committee. Applicants who are admitted and can demonstrate their Community Impact Scholarship eligibility will receive the scholarship. The Community Impact Scholarship will be awarded at the time of admission.How do I qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship? How do I qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship? You qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship if:You have at least two years of full-time, professional, public service experience in any country at the time of application submission.In most cases, applicant’s public service work experience must occur after obtaining an undergraduate degree.You complete a supplemental essay prompt as part of your Harris Credential Program application.If you have any questions about whether your work experience qualifies toward scholarship eligibility, please email harriscredential@uchicago.edu.What constitutes qualifying public service work? What constitutes qualifying public service work? Qualifying public service work includes (i) private sector work (i.e., work with a non-profit organization, domestic or international NGO, or similar private organization that operates for charitable purposes/public benefit) and (ii) public sector work (i.e., working directly for a government body including via military service).Examples of qualifying private sector work include working at (1) research centers; (2) policy think tanks; (3) civil rights advocacy organizations; (4) environmental organizations; (5) arts, history and cultural organizations; (6) community development organizations; (7) human/social services organizations; (8) international affairs organizations; (9) hospitals; and (10) other non-profit organizations. Examples of qualifying public sector work include working for a governmental body (at any level of government) as well as government run programs such as AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and Teach for India.I am an international applicant with public service experience in my home country. Do I qualify for this scholarship?I am an international applicant with public service experience in my home country. Do I qualify for this scholarship?Yes, international applicants, if they meet the criteria listed in questions 1 and 2, are eligible for the Community Impact Scholarship.Can the Community Impact Scholarship be combined with any other Harris Credential Program administered scholarship? Can the Community Impact Scholarship be combined with any other Harris Credential Program administered scholarship? Yes, the Community Impact Scholarship can be combined with merit-based scholarships and/or early-action or multi-enrollment discounts.Can service at multiple organizations be aggregated to meet the 2-year work recruitment? Can service at multiple organizations be aggregated to meet the 2-year work recruitment? Yes, years of service at multiple organizations be aggregated to meet the requirements of the scholarship.I am serving or have served in the US military or the military of another country. Do I qualify for this scholarship? I am serving or have served in the US military or the military of another country. Do I qualify for this scholarship? Yes, previous or current military service at any level for the requisite time is considered qualifying public service work for the Community Impact Scholarship.For US service members, please note that credential programs typically do not qualify for the GI Bill and other education benefits for veterans.How does this scholarship mechanism differ from the Harris Public Sector Scholarship? How does this scholarship mechanism differ from the Harris Public Sector Scholarship? The Harris Public Sector Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time degree applicants who have completed at least 3 years of professional work in the US public sector. If you are interested in a Harris degree program or the Harris Public Sector Scholarship, please email harrisadmissions@uchicago.edu.
How do I qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship? How do I qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship? You qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship if:You have at least two years of full-time, professional, public service experience in any country at the time of application submission.In most cases, applicant’s public service work experience must occur after obtaining an undergraduate degree.You complete a supplemental essay prompt as part of your Harris Credential Program application.If you have any questions about whether your work experience qualifies toward scholarship eligibility, please email harriscredential@uchicago.edu.
What constitutes qualifying public service work? What constitutes qualifying public service work? Qualifying public service work includes (i) private sector work (i.e., work with a non-profit organization, domestic or international NGO, or similar private organization that operates for charitable purposes/public benefit) and (ii) public sector work (i.e., working directly for a government body including via military service).Examples of qualifying private sector work include working at (1) research centers; (2) policy think tanks; (3) civil rights advocacy organizations; (4) environmental organizations; (5) arts, history and cultural organizations; (6) community development organizations; (7) human/social services organizations; (8) international affairs organizations; (9) hospitals; and (10) other non-profit organizations. Examples of qualifying public sector work include working for a governmental body (at any level of government) as well as government run programs such as AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and Teach for India.
I am an international applicant with public service experience in my home country. Do I qualify for this scholarship?I am an international applicant with public service experience in my home country. Do I qualify for this scholarship?Yes, international applicants, if they meet the criteria listed in questions 1 and 2, are eligible for the Community Impact Scholarship.
Can the Community Impact Scholarship be combined with any other Harris Credential Program administered scholarship? Can the Community Impact Scholarship be combined with any other Harris Credential Program administered scholarship? Yes, the Community Impact Scholarship can be combined with merit-based scholarships and/or early-action or multi-enrollment discounts.
Can service at multiple organizations be aggregated to meet the 2-year work recruitment? Can service at multiple organizations be aggregated to meet the 2-year work recruitment? Yes, years of service at multiple organizations be aggregated to meet the requirements of the scholarship.
I am serving or have served in the US military or the military of another country. Do I qualify for this scholarship? I am serving or have served in the US military or the military of another country. Do I qualify for this scholarship? Yes, previous or current military service at any level for the requisite time is considered qualifying public service work for the Community Impact Scholarship.For US service members, please note that credential programs typically do not qualify for the GI Bill and other education benefits for veterans.
How does this scholarship mechanism differ from the Harris Public Sector Scholarship? How does this scholarship mechanism differ from the Harris Public Sector Scholarship? The Harris Public Sector Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time degree applicants who have completed at least 3 years of professional work in the US public sector. If you are interested in a Harris degree program or the Harris Public Sector Scholarship, please email harrisadmissions@uchicago.edu.