Illinois Manufacturing Association CCPE Scholarship 2024
Description
Illinois’ College and Career Pathway Endorsements (CCPE) system is a cornerstone strategy of the Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness Act to increase the number of Illinois high school graduates prepared for postsecondary education and future careers. To earn the CCPE on a high school diploma and transcript, a student must complete an individualized learning plan, engage in a career-focused instructional sequence (including early college credit), participate in work-based learning, and demonstrate readiness for college-level reading and math. Students earning the CCPE will develop technical and essential employability competencies, earn in-demand credentials, and be prepared to launch rewarding careers.
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), in partnership with Education Systems Center at NIU (EdSystems), is now offering a scholarship to Illinois students who graduate high school having earned the CCPE in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades (METT) and are planning to continue their education or work in manufacturing, welding, or engineering. This $500 scholarship can be put towards tuition, fees, supplies, textbooks, room, board, job training equipment and uniforms, or other barrier reduction costs that arise. The scholarship awards will be sent directly to students upon postsecondary enrollment or starting work. If necessary, funds can be sent to the awardee’s postsecondary institution to lower tuition costs.
Eligibility
- Residence: Illinois
- Grade Level: H.S. Senior, Undergrad
Selection Criteria
Illinois high school senior (Class of 2025) on track to earn the College and Career Pathway Endorsement OR prior Illinois High School Graduate with College and Career Pathway Endorsement on the Diploma/Transcript. Once selected, students will have to provide HS transcript or Diploma with proof of the pathway endorsement to receive funds.
Student must plan to continue a career in manufacturing either through attending a regionally accredited two- or four-year institution of higher education in Illinois fall of 2025 or work for an Illinois manufacturer. Once selected for the scholarship, student will have to demonstrate college enrollment or job offer to receive funds.
Interested students will have to submit an application with the following:
- Letter of recommendation prior to the deadline from a high school administrator or teacher who can confirm your participation in the METT pathway and completion or being “on-track towards completing” the pathway endorsement in METT.
- Submit a 2 minute audio and/or video recording answering the question: What made you interested in a career in manufacturing? Please talk about relevant experiences such as courses taken, workplace experiences or visits, or extra-curricular activities.
- Submit a 2 minute video recording or presentation where you show us a METT project or item created. Please describe the process as to how you created the item, what materials, machines or tools did you use, and what you learned about the process.
Once application is submitted, students selected for the scholarship will have to submit final copy of their 2024 HS Transcript or Diploma and also proof of postsecondary enrollment or job offer.
Contact Information: If you have questions or concerns, please contact Sarah Hartwick shartwick@ima-net.org.
Additional Information. This scholarship is open to DACA Students/DREAMers. A DREAMer is a non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident high school student who qualifies for in-state college tuition under Illinois’ HB-60 State Legislation and who will benefit from the Illinois DREAM Act, a provision that supports children of immigrants in Illinois signed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in 2011. DACA, an acronym for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a policy that protects around 800,000 young people — known as “DREAMers” — who entered the United States unlawfully as children. The program does not grant them official legal status or a pathway to citizenship, but it does allow them to apply for a driver’s license, social security number, and work permit. Students must still meet the other requirements listed above.
Illinois Manufacturing Association CCPE Scholarship 2024
About the Sponsor
The IMA Education Foundation, established in 1990, serves IMA member companies by taking the leadership role in bringing Illinois’ private sector ideas and support together with Illinois leaders and educators to provide more accountability and excellence in education.