Enrichment Programs
The following enrichment and pre-college programs are either free or relatively low-cost. Certain eligibility requirements such as GPA and income level are listed. Please click the links below to visit the program's website for more details, dates, and deadlines.
You can also access the ENRICHMENT PROGRAM DATABASE in Google Drive for a spreadsheet of program offerings.
You can also access the ENRICHMENT PROGRAM DATABASE in Google Drive for a spreadsheet of program offerings.
SUMMER PROGRAMS:
These programs require a one-time commitment during the summer.
Bank of American Student Leaders Program
Bank of American Student Leaders Program
Open to current 11th and 12th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.0 unweighted
GPA recommendation: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: cannot be a family member of a BoA employee
Program focus: Paid summer internship, leadership development, civic engagement
Program focus: Paid summer internship, leadership development, civic engagement
Open to current 10th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: African American or interested in African American culture
Program focus: Courses in science, tech, art and social science, college readiness workshops, test prep
Program focus: Courses in science, tech, art and social science, college readiness workshops, test prep
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: No exact GPA requirement, but students should have a solid academic record
Other requirements: targeting underrepresented minorities, lower income students, or first generation college students
Program focus: Artificial intelligence
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: No exact GPA requirement, but students should have a solid academic record
Other requirements: targeting underrepresented minorities, lower income students, or first generation college students
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: No exact GPA requirement, but students must have a very strong academic record
Other requirements: targeting underrepresented minorities, lower income students, or first generation college students
Program focus: Rigorous science & engineering or computer science enrichment; exposure to a world-renowned research university
Open to all grade levels
Other requirements: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. to be considered for this program
Program focus: Paid 10-week summer research program focused on data science in various domains, including computer science, social science, climate & energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
Other requirements: Preference given to Latinos with financial need
Program focus: Civic engagement, American government, creating positive change in communities
Other requirements: Preference given to Latinos with financial need
Program focus: Civic engagement, American government, creating positive change in communities
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
Program focus: Creative writing, mentoring, cultural activities
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
Program focus: Academic enrichment, cultural exploration, career awareness
Open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade applicants
Program focus: Computer science, real world projects, connecting to female engineers and entrepreneurs
Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Youth Leadership Institute
Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Youth Leadership Institute
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: Latino students
Program focus: College access & empowerment
Program focus: College access & empowerment
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.0 unweighted
Program focus: Food, human and environmental sciences
Program focus: Food, human and environmental sciences
Open to current HS students 15 years old and up
Program focus: Cybersecurity
Open to current 9th – 11th grade applicants
Open to current 9th – 11th grade applicants
Program focus: Multiple program options available in architecture, biology, computers and the social sciences, among others
Theatre: Open to current 11th grade applicants
Film: Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
Debate: Open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.3 unweighted or above
Program focus: Rigorous, intensive pre-college program for students who are serious about theatre, film, or debate; partial and full scholarships and financial aid available
Debate: Open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.3 unweighted or above
Program focus: Rigorous, intensive pre-college program for students who are serious about theatre, film, or debate; partial and full scholarships and financial aid available
Northwestern College Bridge
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.5 unweighted
Program focus: Earn college credit
Program focus: Earn college credit
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.6 unweighted
Other requirements: targeting lower income or first generation college students; Dreamers must have DACA status
Other requirements: targeting lower income or first generation college students; Dreamers must have DACA status
Program focus: College admissions, test prep, college-level writing. leadership development
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.5 unweighted
Other requirements: eligible for free/reduced lunch
Program focus: Reporting, writing & editing, career exploration, college readiness workshops, test prep
Other requirements: eligible for free/reduced lunch
Program focus: Reporting, writing & editing, career exploration, college readiness workshops, test prep
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.5 unweighted
Other requirements: underrepresented minority or female
Program focus: Exploration of engineering and technological fields
University of Southern California Bovard Scholars
Program focus: Exploration of engineering and technological fields
University of Southern California Bovard Scholars
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: Close to a 4.0 unweighted
Other requirements: Demonstrate financial need
Program focus: Exposure to highly selective university; college admissions support and leadership development
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: underrepresented minority OR eligible for free/reduced lunch
Program focus: Exploration of business majors and coursework, leadership development, college preparation
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 2.75 unweighted
Other requirements: targeting lower income, first generation college students, OR students from an ethnic background underrepresented in higher education
Program focus: College preparation, School of Education exploration, special emphasis in education, health, or the arts
Program focus: College preparation, School of Education exploration, special emphasis in education, health, or the arts
Open to current 10th and 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Program focus: Engineering, physics, math, field trips, faculty mentoring
Young Leaders Summit
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Program focus: Engineering, physics, math, field trips, faculty mentoring
Young Leaders Summit
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: must qualify for free/reduced lunch (see counselor if not sure)
Program focus: College access & empowerment
Program focus: College access & empowerment
ACADEMIC YEAR, YEAR-ROUND, or MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMS:
These programs take place during the academic year, year-round, or involve a multi-year commitment.
Open to current 9th – 12th grade applicants
Program focus: Various internships, workshops, and after school programs focused on building technical and professional skills
Program focus: Various internships, workshops, and after school programs focused on building technical and professional skills
Open to current 9th – 12th grade applicants
Program focus: Enrichment opportunities in Arts, Leadership, Sports, and STEM run by skilled professionals. Includes a stipend.
Program focus: Enrichment opportunities in Arts, Leadership, Sports, and STEM run by skilled professionals. Includes a stipend.
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 2.5 unweighted
Other requirements: targeting lower income and/or first generation college students
Program focus: Support and mentoring through the college admissions and financial aid process
Chicago Scholars
Program focus: Support and mentoring through the college admissions and financial aid process
Chicago Scholars
Open to current 11th grade applicants
GPA recommendation: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: targeting lower income and/or first generation college students
Program focus: Support and mentoring through the college admissions and financial aid process; college transition support; career development
Collegiate Scholars - University of Chicago
Open to current 9th grade applicants
Program focus: Support and mentoring through the college admissions and financial aid process; college transition support; career development
Collegiate Scholars - University of Chicago
Open to current 9th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Program focus: Academic projects, civic engagement, cultural activities, college readiness workshops
Program focus: Academic projects, civic engagement, cultural activities, college readiness workshops
Open to all grade levels
GPA requirement: 2.5 unweighted
Program focus: Learn about duties and mission of the FBI, civic responsibility, and leadership
Minds Matter of Chicago
Open to current 9th grade applicants
Open to current 9th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: eligible for free/reduced lunch
Program focus: Test prep, writing skills, free collegiate summer programs, mentoring
Northwestern Academy
Open to current 9th grade applicants
Other requirements: eligible for free/reduced lunch
Program focus: Test prep, writing skills, free collegiate summer programs, mentoring
Northwestern Academy
Open to current 9th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: eligible for free/reduced lunch, first generation college student, OR from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group
Program focus: College preparation, leadership development, family workshops
Other requirements: eligible for free/reduced lunch, first generation college student, OR from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group
Program focus: College preparation, leadership development, family workshops
Open to rising sophomore and rising junior applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Other requirements: must commit to a two-year program
Program focus: Healthcare and STEM career exploration, mentorship, hands-on projects
Open to all grade levels
Other requirements: priority is given to underrepresented minorities in medicine (i.e. Black/African-American, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American/Indian)
Program focus: Multi-week educational and healthcare exposure program for CPS students
Open to current 9th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Program focus: Rigorous arts curriculum, academic support, mentoring, college credit
Program focus: Rigorous arts curriculum, academic support, mentoring, college credit
Open to current 9th – 11th grade applicants
GPA requirement: 3.0 unweighted
Program focus: Medical courses & labs and career development for Latino/Hispanic students or those interested in serving the Latino community
OTHER:
City of Chicago Job Resources for Youth
Internship Search
Look for paid and unpaid internship opportunities for high school students.
Internship Search
Look for paid and unpaid internship opportunities for high school students.
App to search for jobs and enrichment opportunities.