Awards Ceremony

The awardees and their parents and family are invited to the church for the Annual Scholars Sunday awards ceremony the Sunday the week before Memorial Day weekend. The ceremony becomes our church service, and the new scholars and their guests are the center of attention. In 2024, the date is Sunday, May 19 from 11:30 to 12:45 with reception afterwards. We have invited Mayor Brandon Johnson to speak, who lives in Austin and has spoken previously at events as a Cook County Commissioner.

Starting in 2020, the award increased from $1,000 to $1,500 for unrestricted needs. The $1,500 award is presented in three installments: $500 on first semester enrollment in college and then $500 on successful completion of the previous semester and enrollment in the next semester, typically Fall and Spring. If your college is on the quarter system, $500 payments are made Fall and Winter quarters. Scholars are expected to communicate with their designated college email address. Scholars should take at least 12 hours of credits (or equivalent) and maintain at least a C average. An unofficial transcript with personal information displayed serves as documentation. In addition, we encourage scholars to have a personal checking account to practice financial responsibility and budgeting, and then all payments are made instantly through the industry-standard Zelle®.

Class of 2015 Awardees

The class of 2015 included students from across the Austin neighborhood.