Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Palumbo Family Foundation

Introduction
The Palumbo Family Foundation supports educational advancement in the Chicagoland area by awarding scholarships to deserving students from lower-income households. Many recipients would not be able to continue their education without this assistance.

Who may apply
Students who may apply include:
- High school seniors
- Individuals with GED diplomas
- Undergraduate students at two- or four-year colleges
- Students enrolled in vocational or trade schools
All applicants must meet the program’s eligibility rules (see below).

Basic eligibility requirements
To qualify you must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Live in Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, or Will county) for at least six months prior to applying.
- Have an annual adjusted gross family income of $65,500 or less.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be planning to begin or continue full- or part-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school with the fall 2025 term through February 1, 2026.

Important: If you do not meet any requirement, you are ineligible. Exceptions will not be made.

Application window (2025)
- Applications are accepted only from January 1 through midnight on March 31, 2025.
- Submissions received after midnight on March 31, 2025 will not be considered.

Application components and file format
The application is divided into three parts. Every part must be submitted as a PDF and saved with the file names indicated below. The Foundation is not responsible for files submitted with incorrect names or in the wrong format.
1) Activities summary — outline your extracurriculars, volunteer and community service work. Save as: Lastname Firstname Activities (for example: Doe John Activities). Include your typed name on the document.
2) Essay — save as: Lastname Firstname Essay (for example: Doe John Essay). This is a critical portion of your application:
- Limit: two pages, minimum 1.5 line spacing.
- Use spell check and proofread; presentation matters.
- Place your name at the top of the essay.
- Suggested topics: educational goals; reasons for chosen field of study; career plans and how your studies will support them; influential people or experiences; community service projects you’re most proud of and why.
3) Required documents — supporting items described below (transcript, tax form, proof of residency/citizenship, references, etc.) submitted in PDF and named as instructed on the application form.

Application timeline
- Submission deadline: midnight, March 31, 2025.
- Finalist notifications (by email): no later than April 30, 2025.

Finalist requirements and deadlines
If you are notified that you are a finalist, you must provide the following documents postmarked by May 15, 2025 or emailed to info@palumbofoundation.org by that date:

1) Proof of U.S. citizenship (photocopies acceptable): U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, U.S. naturalization certificate, or Consular Report/Certificate of Birth Abroad.

2) 2020 Form 1040 Federal Income Tax return that shows an annual adjusted gross income of $65,500 or less and on which the applicant is claimed as a dependent. Note: An IRS Tax Account Transcript or any other document will not satisfy this requirement. If you cannot provide the 2020 Form 1040 as specified, you will be ineligible. No exceptions.

3) A complete academic transcript showing a minimum 3.0 GPA.

4) At least two references from a teacher, coach, faith leader, or supervisor of community service (college application references are not accepted). References must:
- Be dated after you were notified as a finalist.
- Be addressed to the Palumbo Family Foundation.
- Be submitted either by the referee emailing their letter to info@palumbofoundation.org or included in your packet per instructions.

5) Proof of permanent residency in one of the qualifying counties for at least six months prior to the application date (if selected as a finalist, you will be asked to provide this).

6) Consent to let the Palumbo Family Foundation use your name and photograph for promotional materials (website posts, newsletters, fundraising programs, etc.), if you are selected.

Interviews, awards, and payment
- Finalists who satisfy all documentation requirements will be scheduled for an interview on a Saturday in May or June (dates set by the Foundation board).
- Scholarship award decisions and amounts will be mailed no later than July 1.
- Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s institution by August 31 or by the school’s payment due date.

Contact and submission
Email for finalist document submission: info@palumbofoundation.org

Thank you for your interest in the Palumbo Family Foundation scholarship program. Please review all requirements carefully before beginning your application.