Now Accepting Applications for High School Juniors and Seniors!

We are pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for our flagship leadership development program, which is open to current high school juniors. And for the first time ever, we are offering a limited number of scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated potential to be a future leader of Chicago. We encourage you to spread the word and nominate students before the application deadline on Monday, May 2, 2022.

floChicago Fellows Program for Current Juniors/Rising Seniors
floChicago will select a cohort of high school juniors to participate in its flagship leadership program consisting of meetings and retreats throughout the 2022-23 school year. This diverse cohort of students will have the opportunity to engage with some of Chicago's most prominent leaders, work with diverse leaders from throughout the Chicago area, and gain exposure to a wide variety of challenges and opportunities facing Chicago. The program is offered at no cost to participants. To be eligible, students must be high school juniors and must have a demonstrable track record of leadership, the ability to work in a diverse group, a strong attendance record, and a minimum 2.7 GPA.

floChicago Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
In addition to the flagship Fellows Program, floChicago will award college scholarships ranging from $500 to $5000, to graduating high school seniors from across the Chicago area. floChicago Scholars are well rounded students who have demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to bettering their community. Moreover, floChicago Scholars will gain access to the floChicago network of alumni, mentors, and programs. To be eligible, students must be graduating high school seniors and must have a demonstrable track record of leadership, the ability to work in a diverse group, a strong attendance record, and a minimum 2.7 GPA.

Nomination Process
Both Graduating Senior and Rising Senior candidates can apply through the links below. As a reminder, the application deadline is Monday, May 2, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Now Accepting Applications!

Frequently Asked Questions

What will students experience as a Fellow?

floChicago Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with some of Chicago's most prominent leaders, work with diverse leaders from throughout the Chicago area, and gain exposure to a wide variety of challenges and opportunities facing Chicago. In addition to leadership training, students will have an opportunity to engage with some of Chicago’s prominent civic and business leaders. Programming will include field trips and classroom activities centering around civic engagement, professional development, and college preparation. 

Who should apply for floChicago?

floChicago seeks students who are curious about their city, interested in using their talents to improve their community, dedicated to developing themselves as leaders, and willing to get outside of their comfort zones. Students should have demonstrable leadership experience, but that may come in a variety of forms, from leading a team to serving their community to overcoming obstacles in their life. 

How do I apply?

Interested applicants should follow the link to our application page. Each application consists of the following components:

1. Application Form

2. Essays  

3. Uploaded Image

4. Student Pledge Form

5. Completed Recommendation

Recommendation letters should come from someone who can speak to a candidate’s leadership abilities, such as a teacher, principal, coach, guidance counselor, mentor or supervisor. floChicago highly recommends that candidates request their recommendation letter as soon as they begin their application, so as to allow their recommenders enough time to complete the required form. 

Please note that each of the components, including the recommendation letter, must be submitted by the deadline for an application to be considered complete.
 

When will the spring 2022 application cycle take place?

floChicago will open the 2022 application in April 2022. Please check this website at a later date for more details and sign up for the floChicago email list to be in the loop on further announcements. 

How are students selected for floChicago?

 floChicago utilizes the following selection criteria in selecting Fellows and Scholars:

1. Proven leadership experience in a school, community, organization, or family,

2. Ability to work in a diverse group,

3. Intellectual rigor (minimum 2.7 GPA preferred),

4. Strong record of high school attendance, and

5. Applicants must be completing their junior or senior years of high school when they submit their application.

Can students who do not live in the city apply to floChicago? 

We encourage all interested Chicagoland students to apply.

How much does the program cost for students to participate?

The program is offered free of charge to all participants.

How is the University of Chicago involved with floChicago?

As a strategic partner to floChicago, The University of Chicago has provided access to on-campus facilities such as a dorm rooms and dining halls. The University has also provided floChicago with access to college preparation resources, leadership experts, and faculty.

Please send any additional questions about the application process to info@flochicago.org.