Scholarship Information

Ivy Pearl Foundation

The Ivy Pearl Foundation is a 501(C)3 organization serving Evanston and Greater North Shore communities. The Foundation annually provides academic awards to high schools and colleges in our services area.  In addition to financial awards, the foundation also hosts annual events to celebrate and support scholars. The foundation strives to develop and maintain a relationship with scholars during their college experience.

The Ivy Pearl Foundation, Incorporated (IPF), is pleased to announce its Scholarship Program. In 2024, this exciting scholarship program offers scholarships ranging from $500 - $10,000 over four years to graduating high school seniors. We are currently seeking high school seniors to apply for a variety of scholarships that exemplify our values in community service, entrepreneurship, and social action, and pursuing higher education.

 

Scholarship Award Descriptions

  • This is a one-time Award in Honor of the Ivy Pearl Foundation’s 25th Anniversary of $10,000. We are offering this unique and distinguished award to a male or female student in recognition of their willingness to give back to their community through local activism and/or entrepreneurship, as well as their high academic performance and demonstration of leadership potential. The applicant must demonstrate how they have served as a change-maker through creative or innovative thinking that benefits the community. Additionally, this student’s achievements should align with the mission of the Ivy Pearl Foundation and the National program targets of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA).

    Required essay prompt: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) supports many movements that our society is currently facing, as seen on our website. What AKA initiative do you feel is the most significant and how do you plan to be a change agent in the future?

  • For students who plan to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The HBCU scholarship is a renewable scholarship paid $2000 for the first year and $2,000 for the next three years annually, provided the student meets the stated renewal criteria while attending an HBCU.

    • Desired applicants must be able to document service-learning hours with outstanding community service; and demonstrated leadership, e.g., Student Government Association officer, class president, captain of a sports team, etc.

    • Applicants must have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or 3.5 on a 5.0 scale.

    Required essay prompt: Discuss your desire or the significance of pursuing higher education and graduating from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

  • Ivy Pearl Foundation, Incorporated announces its 2024 Janice S. Jones Achievement Award specifically to female high school senior students planning to attend a four-year college or university of $10,000. This award is given to a young woman who has a commitment to study and help alleviate problems concerning African American girls and women in order to improve their social stature. Applicants must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

    Required essay prompt: The mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) is to study and help alleviate problems concerning African-American girls and women in order to improve their social status. In a 500–700-word response, please tell us how your extracurricular activities and/or community service advance this goal.

  • Recognizing that students have a variety of educational and career aspirations, this scholarship seeks to support students as they pursue their postsecondary education. The IPF Recognition Award is a one-time award for a student who is following their own path by seeking enrollment in a 2 or 4-year college or university, trade, or vocational school. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA.

    Required essay prompt: What is your motivation for your major? How do you plan to support your community in the future?

  • This scholarship grants a one-time award of $1,500 to a female student who has shown remarkable character and perseverance despite personal challenges or disability. These students have shown grit, determination, resiliency, and a need for financial assistance to continue their education after graduation. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA.

    Required essay prompt: Describe how you have leveraged your independent hustle or self-reliance in the face of personal adversity or struggle and how that has prepared you for future success.

  • This $500 Education Assistance Award, is for male or female high school seniors who need financial support for college-related expenses. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and provide one letter of recommendation addressed to IPF. The letter must be a character reference on official letterhead from a school official OR a service organization with which you have volunteered. This award is for students who will be attending a four-year college and living on campus in the Fall 2024 semester.

    Required essay prompt: What is the greatest lesson you learned in high school and if you could do it over, what would you do differently? (Be sure to answer BOTH parts of the question.)

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for these scholarships, students must be a high school senior and reside (have a home address) in Evanston or the Greater North Shore communities and/or attend a high school in the Evanston or Greater North Shore communities.  Scholarships require a 2.5 minimum GPA. Please read the instructions carefully for different requirements.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 

REQUIRED ESSAY TOPICS: Essay prompts vary by scholarship.  Please see the scholarship description for criteria. 

Note: All students who are awarded scholarships will be required to submit proof that they meet  all requirements for the scholarship including residency, college enrollment status for Fall 2024  and high school GPA before scholarships are released to the student.

Available Scholarships for High School Seniors

On the scholarship application, be sure to indicate the scholarship(s) to which you are applying: 

  • Ivy Pearl Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Impact Scholarship - $10,000 (one-time award)

  • Janice S. Jones Academic Achievement Award - $10,000 ($2500 each year, for 4 years)

  • Earlene Fleetwood HBCU Scholarship - $8,000 ($2000 each year, for 4 years) 

  • Ivy Pearl Foundation Recognition Award - $2,000

  • The Helen Cromer Cooper Award - $1,500 

  • IPF Trunk Award - $500

Available Scholarships for Current College Students

On the scholarship application, be sure to indicate the scholarship(s) to which you are applying: 

  • Ivy Pearl Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Impact Scholarship - $10,000 (one-time award)

  • Ivy Pearl Foundation Graduate Award

 

Scholarship Application Instructions

Scholarship Application Instructions 

Thank you for your interest in our scholarship program. Please read all instructions carefully.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications are due no later than 11:59pm CST on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Official transcripts will be accepted via email and must be received by Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The Scholarship Committee may be reached at  IPFDCOScholarship@gmail.com  with any questions. 

1. Applicants must be a high school senior and reside (have a home address) in and/or attend high school in Evanston or one of the Greater North Shore communities. 

2. Applicants must submit two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic achievements, community involvement, and character. One recommendation must come from a school official such as an administrator, school counselor or academic advisor, and one from a person in the community (letters from family members are strictly prohibited) Recommendations should be signed and emailed to IPFDCOScholarship@gmail.com . 

3. Applicants may submit an unofficial school transcript in the application.  If selected, you will be required to provide an official transcript.  

4. Documentation of community service hours is required for the Earlene Fleetwood HBCU Scholarship. Janice S. Jones Academic Achievement Award and IPF 25th Anniversary Impact Scholarship.  

5. Essay - Applicant must submit the required essay prompt for the scholarship they are applying for. Each essay is limited to a maximum of 500 words.  The use of any artificial intelligence (A.I.) Generative technologies or software to complete any section of the application is expressly prohibited. The application serves as a chance for the committee to learn more about you, your accomplishments, and your goals (who better to write about these topics, than YOU).                                                          

6. Scholarship Application: All required materials must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and no later than 11:59pm CST.

  • Complete Online Scholarship Application

  • Submit all required additional application materials (letters of recommendation): 

  • You are encouraged to start working on your application as soon as possible as it may take several weeks to obtain recommendation letters and complete requirements for the application process. You are encouraged to follow up with any recommenders to ensure they are aware of the submission deadline as incomplete applications will not be considered (and there are no exceptions or extensions).

  • Remember, on the scholarship application, be sure to indicate the scholarship(s) to which you are applying: 

    • Ivy Pearl Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Impact Scholarship - $10,000 (one-time award)

    • Janice S. Jones Academic Achievement Award - $10,000 ($2500 each year, for 4 years)

    • Earlene Fleetwood HBCU Scholarship - $8,000 ($2000 each year, for 4 years) 

    • Ivy Pearl Foundation Recognition Award - $2,000

    • The Helen Cromer Cooper Award - $1,500

    • IPF Trunk Award - $500 


FINALISTS: Applicants will be notified by May 15, 2024 if they are selected as a finalist. Please be advised that if you are selected as a finalist, you may be required to participate in an interview (in-person or via remote access). More details regarding the specific date and time of the interview will be provided to the finalists. 

AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT: The scholarships will be announced publicly on the Ivy Pearl Foundation, Inc. social media accounts. 

All application materials must be received by Tuesday, April 30, 2024, no later than 11:59 pm CST. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for review. 

Thank you for your interest in the Ivy Pearl Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Program!