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Are you a high school or college student pursuing teaching degrees and looking for financial aid opportunities to fund your education? We have the right program for you! Golden Apple Scholarship is among the generous resources available for future educators.
This financial assistance is given to students pursuing teaching qualifications based on tuition-for-service agreements and is funded by the Golden Apple Foundation, an Illinois-based nonprofit organization. In response to the nationwide teacher shortage, the program was designed to support preservice teachers’ growth and development.
To help you optimize your chances of winning the scholarship, we have compiled the guide including all the details about the Golden Apple Scholarship below. Make sure to stick around!
What is the Golden Apple Scholarship?
The Golden Apple Scholarship, also known as the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois, is a program for high school students and college freshmen who are determined and driven to become highly effective teachers in Illinois schools. It also provides tuition help.
There is no denying that Illinois is experiencing a deepening problem.
More and more students are being denied the advantages of taking lessons from highly effective teachers as more than 1,000 teaching posts go unfilled each year. Even worse, new teachers today hardly ever stay in the classroom for more than four years.
The Golden Apple Foundation is aware that Illinois needs a special combination of approaches to address this issue.
As a result, it created the program to find and train potential teachers for success in demanding educational environments. The foundation thinks its scholars are tried-and-true solutions to the growing teacher shortage dilemma.
You will have exclusive access to first-rate services and resources that are not available anywhere else by taking advantage of this offer.
Prior to accepting your first teaching position, Golden Apple’s seasoned mentors will give you hundreds of hours of teaching experience in a variety of schools, ensuring that you are ready to meet the individual needs of students all around Illinois.
How Do You Know If You Are Eligible?
To qualify, you must satisfy the following Golden Apple Scholarship requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or DACA student and resident of Illinois
- Demonstrate strong academic performance
- Be an Illinois high school senior, Illinois partner university freshman or sophomore, or Illinois community college student
In addition to the general requirements, there are some completion requirements that a scholar must meet after being accepted to the program, including:
- Meeting ISAC program requirements
- Having at least a 2.5 GPA
- Participating in Golden Apple Scholar Institutes
- Compliance to code of conduct
- Earning a bachelor’s degree from an Illinois partner university and an Illinois teaching certification
- Teaching for five years in an Illinois school-of-need within seven years of graduation
If you meet all the above requirements, you are good to go.
How Much Money Can I Get from the Scholarship?
With funded Scholar Institutes included, the Golden Apple Scholarship amount can cover up to $23,000 in tuition expenses. However, the initiative is not only about getting money for nothing. Additionally, Golden Apple Scholars get the opportunity to take part in substantial classroom instruction.
The foundation also offers the academic and social-emotional support students need to succeed in college. For those who require aid deciding where to serve, there is also job placement support. Finally, here you will find mentoring from distinguished teaching experts.
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
Keep in mind that you will be asked to provide the following materials for your scholarship application:
- Unofficial transcripts
- Personal statements
- References
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT scores)
Although the results of the standardized tests are optional and not necessary for entry to the Golden Apple Scholars Program, previous winners attest that they do assist to increase the likelihood of winning.
If you choose not to submit test results, the review committee will pay special attention to the quality of your course selection, GPA, grade trending, personal statements, and general involvement.
How Do I Apply for This Scholarship?
You will undergo these steps to become the next Golden Apple Scholar:
1. Apply to the University
Scholarship winners must enroll as full-time student in their chosen program starting in August 2023. If you have not already, apply to your dream institution. Visit this page to check out the eligible Illinois colleges and universities.
2. Submit Your Information
Complete and submit your application here alongside your references, personal statements, and transcripts.
3. Submit Your Essay
Each college or university will specify its own subject matter for the scholarship essay. In order to learn more about this or whether you must submit one to be considered for the scholarship, get in touch with your chosen college or university.
4. Participate in Prospective Scholar Interviews
You will receive an invitation to an interview if you are selected as one of the finalists. Every year, the Golden Apple Scholarship interview questions are different. Yet, they mostly consist of educational experiences, personal qualities, extracurricular activities, and employment.
When is the Golden Apple Scholarship Due?
The application closes on January 4, 2023. On the other hand, if you wish to apply for the Early Acceptance Offer, submit your application before December 1, 2022. Feel free to contact Golden Apple for any questions by phone at 312-407-0006 or fax at 312-407-0344.
Alternatively, you can fill out this contact form for a seamless communication.
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Golden Apple Scholarship
The Golden Apple Foundation asserts that in order to truly stand out as a candidate, it is critical to communicate your passions effectively. Even though you may be passionate about teaching, it might be challenging to articulate your motivations for doing so.
One suggestion is to take several minutes and list all the reasons you want to be a teacher, including instances of inspiring instructors you have had or the change you want to see in your neighborhood.
After reading what you wrote, choose the concept that best captures your drive for teaching. Utilize this to create a compelling, well-focused personal statement that powerfully conveys this enthusiasm and emphasizes your uniqueness.
Reference is another crucial component of the application. Choose someone you get along with well and who can clearly explain your abilities and passions when choosing who will write your references.
Finally, to ensure that your application is as flawless as possible, have someone you trust review it before you submit it. There may be other details you should include or omit that your reader will recommend.
These strategies will help you highlight the qualities that make you most attractive to the Golden Apple Foundation.
What’s Next
Are you on a mission to find other opportunities? You are in the right place! Check out our guides to getting the Coca Cola, Burger King, and PepsiCo scholarships.
