Illinois Tech partners with high schools across the city of Chicago to create enriching programs that engage high school students in STEM-related fields and to provide college and career readiness preparation throughout the academic year. These programs, facilitated by the university’s Elevate College Prep team, are part of the wraparound support services provided by The Chicago Difference Initiative.
Eligible students who graduate from one of Illinois Tech’s DevUp partner schools and who are admitted to Illinois Tech through our Early Decision or Early Action application plan are guaranteed a spot as a Chicago Difference scholar.
Illinois Tech pledges to cover 100 percent of each Chicago Difference scholar’s tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for four years of full-time undergraduate study—five years for architecture students—after subtracting the student's Student Aid Index (negative SAIs will be calculated as 0), federal and state grants, and any existing Illinois Tech institutional scholarships. Students must meet academic and financial eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the scholarship.
Interested in learning more? Contact us at precollege@iit.edu.
Learn About Elevate College Prep Programs
Current High School Partners
The Elevate College Prep team has established partnerships with the following high schools in order to connect their students to college access and dual-enrollment course opportunities, while also creating programs designed to help students enrich their experiences in STEM.
- Englewood STEM High School
- Kenwood Academy High School
- De La Salle Institute
- Gary Comer College Prep
- King College Prep High School
- Walter Payton College Preparatory High School
- Perspectives Charter Schools
- Benito Juarez Community Academy
- UIC College Prep
- Jones College Prep
- Chicago Tech Academy
- Wendell Phillips Academy High School
- Lindblom Math and Science Academy
- Dunbar Vocational Career Academy
- Tilden High School
- Chicago Vocational Career Academy
- Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts
- DuSable High School
- Bronzeville Scholastic Institute
- Morgan Park Academy
