Scholarship

HONORING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BY INVESTING IN A GENERATION OF RISING LEADERS

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders through scholarship, academic excellence, and community engagement.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Please check back for the 2027 scholarship application cycle. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. For the 2026 scholarship cycle, eligibility is limited to graduating seniors of Southland College Preparatory Charter High School. Applications from students attending other high schools will not be considered at this time.

Scholarship applicants must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.5.

Scholarship awards will be provided to no more than four students in the amount of $2,500 each. Awards will be sent directly to the student's college or university in the fall and are non-renewable.

All responses MUST be in the student's own words. Use of any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including but not limited to ChatGPT or Gemini, will result in disqualification from being considered as a scholarship recipient.

Please contact info@kwartengfoundation.org with any questions.

Submit the Scholarship Application Here

Dr. Alex Kwarteng Foundation Chicagoland scholarship logo featuring a person in a graduation cap and gown, with an open book at the bottom and laurel branches on each side.

Inspired by the journey of Dr. Alex Kwarteng, we seek to support those who lead with integrity, excel in their studies, and serve their community with a faithful heart.

Apply Here

Hear from the Next Generation of Voices

  • A young woman in a red blazer, white shirt, and striped tie holding an oversized check for two thousand five hundred dollars made payable to Nafiah Blanch. She is smiling and standing indoors against a background of tiled walls and wooden chairs.

    Naimah Blanch

    HOWARD UNIVERSITY
    2026 Recipient

    Winning this scholarship truly means a lot to me because it bridges the gap between funding my education. I hope to use my education to change lives through medicine and any support is deeply appreciated. I am very grateful to be given this opportunity to reach my goals.

  • Alex Kwarteng Foundation scholarship recipient at Southland College Prep holding a merit-based award check for academic excellence.

    Dhayra Gomez

    UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
    2025 Recipient

    This opportunity gives me the freedom to focus on my education and pursue my dream of becoming a compassionate and dedicated physician assistant. I’m excited and grateful to be a step closer to making a real difference in people’s lives.

  • Person dressed in a maroon blazer holding an oversized check made out to 'Jacob Maddough,' from the Alexander Kwarteng Foundation, dated April 23, 2026, for the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, in an indoor setting with chairs and tables.

    Jaiden McCollough

    SCHOOL NAME HERE
    2026 Recipient

    Winning this particular scholarship means a lot to me since it comes from a family that understands the academic rigor of Southland and the school's mission of developing thoughtful leaders in both the classroom and the community. This recognition affirms that I am on the right path to becoming that person. The funds received will be instrumental in supporting expenses that go beyond tuition such as books, lab materials and fees, and transportation costs. Thank you for your generosity and for helping make my dreams more attainable.


  • Southland College Prep senior receiving a $2,500 merit-based scholarship from the Alex Kwarteng Foundation in Richton Park, IL.

    Terri Mensah

    CARLETON COLLEGE
    2025 Recipient

    This scholarship means more to me than just financial support; it is a blessing and an affirmation of the voices within our community encouraging me to keep giving. It not only alleviates the financial burden of pursuing a demanding path in pediatric dentistry but also allows me to concentrate on my personal growth, leadership, and service to my community.

  • Alex Kwarteng Foundation scholarship award ceremony celebrating academic prowess and the pursuit of debt-free degrees for Chicago students.

    Itohan Salami

    WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
    2025 Recipient

    For me, this scholarship means one word: ease. This scholarship was just enough to cover the rest of my tuition for my freshman year, and with this took a load of financial burden and stress off of my family.

  • A young man dressed formally in a red blazer, white shirt, and a red and blue bow tie holding a large check from the Alex Kwarteng Foundation. The check is made out for two thousand five hundred dollars, dated April 23, 2026. The background includes a wooden staircase and paneling.

    Dion Harding

    HOWARD UNIVERISTY
    2026 Recipient

    Winning this scholarship has felt like a great reward to the hard work and dedication that I've put in throughout my high school years. I'm so thankful to have my diligence, resilience, and great ambition recognized by such a great organization. I'm also thankful for the opportunity to ease the financial burden that college would add to my family.

  • High achieving scholarship recipient recognized by the Alex Kwarteng Foundation for exceptionalism and community leadership at Southland College Prep.

    Kehinde Sowemimo

    YALE UNIVERSITY
    2025 Recipient

    The Alex Kwarteng scholarship has provided my family and I the means to stay afloat financially, But most of all, it affirms that there are people, like myself, and organizations who believe in planting seeds for the future.

  • A woman dressed in a tuxedo with a white shirt holding a large ceremonial check. The check is made out to Kayla Smith for $2,500. The check is from the Alex Kwarten Foundation and is dated April 23, 2026. The background features a wooden-paneled wall and blue chairs.

    Kayla Smith

    UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    2026 Recipient

    By winning this scholarship, I was reminded that the effort I put forth matters and will be rewarded. College and scholarship applications aren’t easy. They can become time-consuming and disheartening when you do not hear back. Yet, winning this allowed me to celebrate. It showed me that good things come to those who wait and lessened the financial burden on my family and me.

FAQs

  • To learn more about the scholarship criteria, please visit the above section titled Scholarship Eligibility Requirements. There, you will find detailed information about who qualifies, application deadlines, and required documentation.

  • Thank you for your interest in getting involved. The best way to help us continue to promote our mission is by giving. Donations can be sent through our website here or via Zelle at donate@kwartengfoundation.org.

    Your donation directly furthers our mission and helps us reach more deserving students.

  • Donations can be sent through our website here or via Zelle at donate@kwartengfoundation.org. We appreciate your generosity and your willingness to contribute to advancing our mission.

  • Yes. Your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

    Upon donation submission, you will receive a donation receipt letter for your accounting purposes.

    We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions support our mission.

Our Impact at Work

Graphic icon representing the growth, personal development, and continuous educational advancement of Southland College Prep scholars supported by the foundation.

8 Scholars

EIGHT DEGREES,
ONE UNIFIED MISSION

icon symbolizing a father's enduring legacy, integrity, and the high standard of academic excellence maintained by our alumni network.

$2,500

A MEANINGFUL FOUNDATION
FOR EVERY RECIPIENT

Design icon representing visionary leadership, critical thinking, and the innovative future pathways forged by our scholarship recipients in Chicagoland.

$20,000

AWARDED IN OUR
FIRST TWO YEARS

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