Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program

Created in 1988 by the award-winning teachers of the Golden Apple Foundation, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program recruits and prepares bright and talented Illinois high school graduates, as well as first and second-year college students who represent a rich ethnic diversity for successful teaching careers in high need schools throughout Illinois and provides scholarships to students pursuing teaching degrees.

Each year, the Foundation identifies Golden Apple Scholars eligible to receive scholarship assistance from ISAC. Recipients may receive up to $2,500 per year during their first or second year of being a Scholar, and up to $5,000 during their third, fourth or fifth year of being a Scholar, for assistance with tuition, fees, and room and board or a commuter allowance. As a condition of the scholarship assistance, the recipient agrees to teach in an Illinois school of need for not less than five years.

The Golden Apple Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Chicago. The Foundation promotes excellence in Pre K-12 education through the work of excellent teachers. Students need teachers who have similar backgrounds and experiences to serve as role models and give them the hope of a promising future. Golden Apple Scholars receive mentoring support from outstanding, award-winning teachers who are part of the Golden Apple network.

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees selected to be Golden Apple Scholars must earn a bachelor’s degree at one of 53 Illinois universities that participate in the program, obtain Illinois teacher licensure, and teach for five years in an Illinois school of need. Scholars also must meet GPA requirements, participate in Summer Institutes, and comply with a code of conduct while in the program.
Each year, the Foundation will identify Golden Apple Scholars eligible to receive scholarship assistance from ISAC. To qualify for the Golden Apple Scholarship, applicants must:
• Be designated as a Golden Apple Scholar by the Golden Apple Foundation for excellence in Teaching;
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (FSA Handbook Volume 1, Chapter 2) or meet the “undocumented student” criteria of the RISE Act;
• Be a resident of Illinois (if dependent, both the student and parent/guardian must be residents of Illinois);
• Be a high school graduate or a recipient of a General Educational Development (GED) Certificate;
• Not be in default on any student loan nor owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant;
• Meet the satisfactory academic progress standards at the school;
• Be enrolled at a four-year institution designated by the Foundation as a participating Illinois university on at least a half-time basis as a freshman through a senior;
• Have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale if enrolled at the sophomore, junior or senior level;
• Have not received 8 semesters or 12 quarters of the Golden Apple Scholarship;
• Have entered into a program agreement and promissory note with the Golden Apple Foundation and ISAC;
• Be enrolled in a postsecondary course of study leading to an initial teacher licensure or taking additional courses needed to gain Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approval to teach including alternative teacher licensure;
• Have participated in all required programs and adhered to the residential guidelines and standard of conduct as a designated Golden Apple Scholar of the Foundation; and
• Have not been awarded an Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) or the MTI Scholarship for the same academic period for which the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program is requested.