Eligibility Requirements, Selection Criteria and Scholar's Obligations
Beginning in May of their junior year and continuing through November of their senior year, any Illinois high school student who is interested in a teaching career is eligible for the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program. Nominations for the 2012 Golden Apple Scholars program are now closed. Nominations for the 2013 Golden Apple Scholars program are now open.A limited number of positions in the program (known as "Pathway Scholars") are also open to college sophomores in attendance at one of the 53 Illinois colleges and universities that partner with the program. Sophomores must acquire the Pathway Scholars application from the liaison of a participating university or from the Scholars program Assistant Director of Recruitment. In addition, candidates must be enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification, pass the Basic Skills, have a 2.5 Cumulative GPA, have filed a FAFSA form, and have a total of 60 credit hours approved by the university prior to the beginning of the candidate’s junior year 2012-2013.
Selection process and criteria
Golden Apple selects as many as 100 high school and college students each year from public and non-public schools and universities throughout Illinois. Nominees are asked to complete a written application, provide ACT scores, and furnish transcripts to Golden Apple. From the completed applications, Golden Apple Award-winning teachers choose finalists to be interviewed and select the new group of Scholars in February.Scholar's obligations and rewards
Golden Apple Scholars must earn a bachelor's degree at one of 53 Illinois universities that participate in the program, obtain Illinois teacher certification, and teach for five years in an Illinois school of need. Scholars also must meet GPA requirements, participate in Summer Institutes, and comply with a code of conduct while in the program.In return for fulfilling these responsibilities, all Golden Apple Scholars receive tuition assistance of $2,500 per year for freshmen and sophomore years and $5,000 per year for junior and senior years, paid directly to the Scholar's undergraduate institution.
Scholars also receive a $2,000 stipend for each summer of Summer Institute and receive advanced teacher preparation designed to facilitate their success teaching deserving children in challenging school settings.