iGROW Tech Scholarship Program

iGROW Tech Scholarship Program is sponsored by Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Provides financial assistance to Illinois college students majoring in STEM fields, with a commitment to work in Illinois post-graduation.

Chamber-led iGROW Tech Scholarship Application Now Available for Illinois Students - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Advocacy & Public Policy Chamber News Chamber-led iGROW Tech Scholarship Application Now Available for Illinois Students The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of the application for the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship.

This Chamber-led initiative provides Illinois college students majoring in STEM fields with higher education aid on the condition that the student agrees to live and work in Illinois for a specified period of time upon graduation.

The iGROW Tech Scholarship Program is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and allows eligible Illinois students attending most Illinois colleges and universities and studying in a tech-related field the ability to apply for financial assistance.

Eligible students must enter into an agreement with ISAC pledging to, upon graduation, be employed in Illinois utilizing their degree in tech for a period of up to four years, depending on how many years of assistance they received.

In order to advance equity and ensure that disadvantaged students are able to take full advantage of the program, ISAC will be required to prioritize the applications of minority students, students demonstrating financial need, and academically talented students; ISAC has also expanded the RISE Act to this Program, thereby allowing undocumented students living and eligible to attend school in Illinois the ability to take advantage of this Program.

By extending iGROW assistance to eligible undocumented students, the Program will help make college and higher education a real option for this population of students that is typically ineligible for federal student aid. The program is able to be funded by both private and public funds and is available to students pursuing either a two- or four-year degree.

The application and additional details are available on the ISAC website , and the priority access to funding date for the 2024-25 academic year is November 30, 2024. “Changes in technology are revolutionizing every aspect of our economy in Illinois and across the globe. Now is the time to continue to support and invest in forward-looking ventures, like quantum,” said Jack Lavin , President and CEO of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

“So we also need to invest in our most valuable asset: Illinois’ youth and the future workers they will become. The iGROW Tech Scholarship will not only allow Illinois to continue to prioritize investments in industries of the future and find innovative ways to bolster our economy, but also help us stay competitive in attracting diverse talent pipelines and growing and retaining our workforce. I appreciate Governor Pritzker, Rep.

Janet Yang Rohr, and Sen. Javier L. Cervantes for their support and partnership, as well as our education partners, for helping to create this scholarship program that will increase equity and diversity in the industry and strengthen the Illinois talent pipeline.

” In 2023, the Chicagoland Chamber worked alongside Rep. Yang Rohr and Sen. Cervantes to pass HB1378, the legislation establishing the iGROW Tech Scholarship.

It represents an essential tool for the state to meaningfully incentivize our Illinois students to choose Illinois schools and remain in Illinois to grow our state’s workforce and economy.

This initiative, along with recent key investments in tech, education, business development, and future-looking technologies, such as quantum computing, capitalizes on Illinois’ existing tech ecosystem and will help put Illinois on the path to becoming a global leader in some of the most consequential technological developments of the 21st century.

“Everyday, groundbreaking scientific and technological breakthroughs from Illinois companies change the way we see and interact with the world around us,” said Rep. Rohr. “The iGROW scholarship makes sure our students are poised to be the next generation of highly skilled workers driving those changes.

I am proud to say that Illinois is the birthplace of tomorrow, not just because technological advancements take place here, but because the people who make those advancements possible call Illinois home.

” “These scholarships provide students with unique opportunities to learn and grow in Illinois by finding the financial assistance necessary to continue their education while also ensuring that they can be part of Illinois’ growing tech economy,” said Sen. Cervantes.

“Making this scholarship accessible to Illinois residents gives so many folks in our communities a chance to pursue their interests and strengthen the bond between tech industries in Illinois and the schools creating talented employees and none of this would be possible without Illinois’ support and I am proud to stand up and fight for what our students need.

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