
DuPage County awarded scholarships totaling $30,000 to 11 residents through its Community Services Block Grant Scholarship program on Sept. 5. Individual awards range from $1,500 to $4,000. Recipients were awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, community/school involvement, and interest in high-demand employment sectors.
“This pool of candidates provided inspiring personal stories,” said DuPage County Human Services Committee Vice-Chair Paula Deacon-Garcia, who served on the selection committee. “They include mothers returning to school and residents who will be the first in their families to pursue a college degree. We believe those selected will do great things and truly capitalize on the opportunities these scholarships provide.”
The CSBG scholarship supplements the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and other school expenses. The scholarship is funded and designed in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for low-income individuals with high academic potential..”
Scholarship recipient Anayeli Gaytan, a West Chicago resident pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work said,
“I am a first-generation college student from my family, therefore, my family is my greatest motivation. I want to be a role model for my children, and I want to make my parents proud.”
For a complete list of scholarship recipients and their stories visit: https://videos.dupagecounty.gov/CSBGWinners2023.mp4.