Ralph A. Haworth Writers Scholarship Program
The Ralph A. Haworth Writers Scholarship Program was established by his family to assist high school seniors from select Chicago high schools who love to write and plan to continue their education in writing related college programs. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
Ralph A. Haworth Writers Scholarship Program
This scholarship program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
ABOUT RALPH A. HAWORTH
Ralph Andrews Haworth (1933 – 2009) was a man whose enthusiasm for the written word started early in life. Ralph published poetry, wrote advertising copy for Sears, Roebuck & Co., acted in plays, and served our country with the U.S. Army. He used his bachelor’s degree in journalism in many ways and wished to foster the education of other budding writers from the Chicago area with this scholarship program.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST
The Chicago Community Trust, our region’s community foundation, is a platform for change that connects philanthropy to impact. We bring together generous donors, committed organizations, and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward.
Eligibility
Applicants to the Ralph A. Haworth Writers Scholarship Program must:
- Be high school seniors who attend one of the following Chicago schools:
- Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
- Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
- Lincoln Park High School
- Lane Technical High School
- Kenwood Academy High School
- Enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year
- Major in English, Journalism, Public Relations or Communications
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
Awards
One award of $15,000 will be granted.
The award is renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance, continuous full-time enrollment and continuation of a major in English, Journalism, Public Relations or Communications.
Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Notification
Applicants will be notified in late February. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.
Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.
Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address as safe senders in your email contact list.
Payment of Scholarships
Scholarship America processes the payment on behalf of The Chicago Community Trust. The payment is made in one installment in July.
Selection of Recipients
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
- Academic record
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
- Work experience
- A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
- Unusual personal or family circumstances
- An online recommendation
Preference will be given to those students who have earned writing achievements and provide a 1-2 page sample of their writing.
Financial need is not considered.
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of The Chicago Community Trust play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Requirements
As part of your application, you must upload the following:
- A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
- Student name
- School name
- Grades
- Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.
One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than January 15, 2026 by 3:00 PM Central Time.
Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.
