Bobby Simmons Rising Stars Foundation Endowed Scholarship Application

YOU MUST BE AN INCOMING FRESHMAN FOR THE 2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR TO APPLY FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP

The Bobby Simmons Foundation presents a scholarship opportunity to students intending to enroll at DePaul University who have a strong commitment to community and a desire to influence others in a positive manner through their words and actions. Students will be selected based on financial need, contribution to their community and academic standing.

Additional preference may be given to students who graduated from high schools on the Southside of Chicago, students who have participated in activities or events hosted by the Bobby Simmons Next Chapter Foundation, Inc. In addition, scholarship recipients will be encouraged to complete at least ten hours of community service and to meet with the donor annually.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

To Apply:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Be accepted/plan to attend DePaul University.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Have a completed Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at DePaul University and demonstrate financial need.
  • Demonstrate an ongoing history of community service.
  • Appear before the Bobby Simmons Foundation Board of Directors.

Upon receiving the award:

  • Accept the award in person at a designated Bobby Simmons Foundation event.
  • Commit to annually volunteering for Bobby Simmons Foundation events as long as one remains a scholarship beneficiary.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain the scholarship.

Applications must be completed online no later than 11:59:59 February 15, 2026

If you are awarded the Bobby Simmons Scholarship, the Office of Multicultural Student Success will request information from your professors regarding your academic progress.

In addition, by completing the application for this scholarship you are authorizing the Office of Multicultural Student Success and the Bobby Simmons Rising Stars Foundation to review your financial and academic records in order to assess your application.

Please direct ALL QUESTIONS regarding the Bobby Simmons Rising Stars Foundation Scholarship to:
Gabbi Fuller • Student Success Coordinator
Office of Multicultural Student Success
EMAIL: gfuller3@depaul.edu

Award
$8,000 annual scholarship
Scopes
Admissions - DePaul Incoming Freshman Scholarships , Office of Multicultural Student Success
Deadline
02/15/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Bobby Simmons Rising Star Foundation
    • 1. What is your current level of familiarity or involvement with the Bobby Simmons Rising Star Foundation
    • 2. Regardless of prior involvement, please explain your interest (if any) in engaging with the Foundation or your community through volunteering or community service if awarded this scholarship.
  2. At present, what is your ambition for your future career? What necessary steps will you take in reaching your future career goals?
  3. What steps are you taking to realize this ambition?
  4. In 200 to 400 words, please explain how you envision helping others in the future.
  5. Please list all your recent community service activities, indicating dates of participation and a description of the activities.
  6. Please list your Extracurricular Involvement, including your activities in civil, social, service, military, and/or honor societies. Please list the position that you held (i.e., President, Member, other) as well as the length of your involvement i.e. number of quarters and/or years.
  7. List any significant awards or honors who have received for academic or extracurricular activities. Please list the name of the honor or award, dates and the organization.
  8. Scholarship Connect Student Consent
    • A) Consent Statement

      By clicking the checkbox below, I certify that all the information provided as part of the scholarship application process is accurate. I understand that as part of the scholarship application and selection process, my academic information, financial aid information, and other demographic information may be shared with individuals who are involved in the scholarship selection process and recipient reporting. This may include information from my Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), my annual award information, my Cost of Attendance components (living expenses, personal expenses, travel, books, tuition, and fees), and items related to my current academic standing and career program. By agreeing to this electronically, I am authorizing DePaul University, and providing my consent, to release my information and allowing me to be considered for scholarship opportunities. I understand that if I do not agree to this release, I will be unable to proceed with my scholarship application. I further understand that by completing the signature below and selecting the “Finish and Submit” button in this electronic application, I am signing and acknowledging my consent. My submitted signature in this electronic application has the same legal effect, validity, and enforceability as affixing my signature to a paper document. I also acknowledge that my financial aid information is being released with my explicit written authorization as allowed by the Higher Education Act (HEA), HEA 483(a)(3)(E), affirmed by Congress in the final fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill, HEA 485B, 494, the IRC 26 USC 6103(I)(13) and HEA 20 USC 1098h(c)(2) .
    • B) Consent Statement Electronic Signature
    • C) Signature Date
  9. Show 3 more