MA and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship 2025 at Illinois Tech

For ambitious and visionary high school students with a passion for leadership, Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) offers a remarkable opportunity: the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship. Named after University Regent Al Self and his wife, Lila, this prestigious scholarship is awarded to first-year students who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential.

Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits, eligibility, application process, and deadlines for this life-changing scholarship.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship receive the following:

• Full-Tuition Coverage: The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition in the initial year of admission. Students are only responsible for any annual tuition increases in subsequent years.
• Extended Scholarship Period: Eligible for up to four years of undergraduate tuition (or five years for architecture students).
• Leadership Development: Access to exclusive leadership opportunities both on-campus and throughout the Chicago area, including networking events, experiential leadership training, and professional development programs.
• Certificate in Leadership Studies: Upon successful completion of the program, scholars are awarded a certificate recognizing their leadership training and achievements.
• Social and Professional Connections: Opportunities to bond with fellow scholars and establish a robust professional network that can serve as a foundation for future leadership roles.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a full-time undergraduate student at Illinois Tech.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum GPA of 3.0 per semester.
• Commit to active participation in all Leadership Academy-sponsored programs, including Saturday seminars, regular meetings, and sophomore leadership retreats.
• Choose and actively participate in a committee that supports the development of the Leadership Academy.
• Contribute a minimum of 10 hours per semester to community service projects sponsored by the Leadership Academy.
• Adhere to university codes of conduct; violations may result in dismissal from the scholarship program.

Note: This scholarship cannot be combined with other institutional awards from Illinois Tech.

Application Process

To apply for the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship, follow these steps:

1. Apply for Admission: Complete an application for regular admission through the Common Application (https://www.iit.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-and-aid/scholarships/first-year-student-scholarships/m-and-lila-self-leadership-academy-scholarship) by the Early Decision I (binding) or Early Action I (non-binding) deadline.
2. Submit the Scholarship Application: All Early Decision and Early Action applicants will receive a link to the scholarship application in early November.
3. Participate in Interviews:
   • Finalists will be notified in December.
   • Selected candidates will engage in a four-hour Leadership Experience for Assessment and Development (LEAD) session, conducted by Illinois Tech’s Center for Research and Service staff, followed by a feedback report.
   • Final in-person interviews will take place during the Scholarship Symposium in early February.

Important Dates and Deadlines

• November 15, 2024: Scholarship application and admission application deadline.
• December, 2024: Finalists are notified.
• Early February, 2025: Finalists participate in in-person interviews at the Scholarship Symposium.
• Late February, 2025: Scholarship recipients are announced.
• April 1, 2025: Deadline to accept the Leadership Academy Scholarship.
• May 1, 2025: Deadline to confirm enrollment at Illinois Tech.