Eligibility Requirements, Selection Criteria and Scholar's Obligations
Beginning in April 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. To apply, students must first be
nominated for the program by a teacher, counselor, principal or other non-family adult. Students may also self-nominate.
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. Selection process and criteria
Golden Apple selects as many as 125 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
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, each Scholar receives tuition assistance of $2,500 per year for four years paid directly to their college or university, $2,000 per summer for participation in
Summer Institute, and advanced teacher preparation designed for their success in teaching deserving children in challenging school settings.
