Big Shoulders Fund Announces $1.5 Million in Additional Scholarships for up to 500 Chicago Public School students

Big Shoulders Fund Co-Chairmen James J. O'Connor and John A. Canning, Jr. respond
to requests to help families and children in need.

CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Big Shoulders Fund today announced the creation of the Big Shoulders Fund Access Scholarship, providing $1.5 million in additional scholarships for current Chicago Public School students. With the help of anonymous donors, Big Shoulders Fund will offer a two-year $1,500 annual per student scholarship to any participating Big Shoulders Fund school, for a total of $3,000 total over two years.

"Like others, Big Shoulders Fund is concerned about the disruption the strike has brought to so many families and children," said John A. Canning, Jr., chairman of Madison Dearborn Partners and co-chairman of the Big Shoulders Fund, "While all sides work to resolve and end the strike, the Big Shoulders Fund would like to help parents and find a way to ensure as many children as possible have an educational option."

The 93 inner-city Catholic schools supported by Big Shoulders Fund offer a tier-one education and have a strong track record of preparing students to succeed in college and life.  Currently, 80 percent of the students served are from a minority group and 63 percent are living in poverty. By the time students in the elementary schools reach the seventh grade, on average they are performing above national norms on standardized tests.  Currently 86 percent of Big Shoulders high school graduates go on to college, the vast majority continuing onto four year universities.

"Big Shoulders Fund schools have a long history of serving students of all races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds in a safe and caring environment for all children," said James J. O'Connor, retired chairman and CEO of Unicom and Commonwealth Edison Company and co-chairman of the Big Shoulders Fund, "Aside from the up to 500 children who will have access to this new scholarship, Big Shoulders supports nearly 5,000 children annually with scholarships, many of which include enrichment, mentoring and support."

To qualify for the scholarship, the student must be currently enrolled in a Chicago Public School and families must have a total income no greater than 150% of the Reduced Lunch Program Guidelines (e.g., $63,965 for a family of four). The student must be accepted at the participating Big Shoulders Fund school and the family must pay $1,500 annually in tuition for elementary school or $3,000 for high school. Families must apply directly to a participating school.  A list of participating schools can be found at www.bigshouldersfund.org. Details on the program are provided in the attached document or on Big Shoulders Fund website.

Recipients of this scholarship will have access to schools that are open to all children and offer before and after school enrichment programs extending the day from as early as 6:30 a.m. to as late as 6:00 p.m.; small class sizes; the ability to apply for additional scholarship support from Big Shoulders Fund in future years; and a caring, values-based, and disciplined environment.  Students receiving Big Shoulders Fund scholarship not only continue onto college at very high rates, over 90 percent persist in college – that is above city, state, and national averages. 

About Big Shoulders Fund

Big Shoulders Fund was founded in 1986 by business leaders to provide assistance for the inner-city Catholic schools in Chicago. To date, Big Shoulders Fund has raised nearly $230 million, which has been used to help defray tuition and operating costs at 93 inner-city elementary and secondary schools, and to assist with capital and other program enhancements at these schools. 90% of students that graduate with Big Shoulders renewable scholarships enroll in college the following year, ahead of city, state, and national averages.

The Fund is a private, 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that receives and distributes privately raised contributions. Big Shoulders Fund provides financial aid without regard to race, creed, color, disability, marital status, gender, citizenship status, sexual orientation, national origin, or physical handicap.  For more information about the Access Scholarship Program, visit www.bigshouldersfund.org or call 312-544-8688.

Rebecca Lindsay-Ryan
[email protected]
312-751-3851

SOURCE Big Shoulders Fund