Announcements

Impact of Federal Sequester

The budget cuts that went into effect on Friday, March 1, 2013 impact several federal programs including Stafford and PLUS loans as well as the TEACH Grant. These changes include loan origination fee increases and a reduction in TEACH Grant funding for the year. Please visit the Loan page and TEACH Grant page for information on the specific changes for those programs.
Complete Your 2013-2014 FAFSA Today!

If you plan to attend NLU any time after July 1, 2013, now is the best time to complete your FAFSA.

Complete your FAFSA

Patricia Cassin-Graft Student Teacher Assitance Fund Award

Application Deadlines for the 2013-2014 Academic Year

For Fall 2013 Student Teaching – Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 16, 2013

For Winter 2014 or Spring 2014 Student Teaching – Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 15, 2013

Financial assistance for National College of Education (NCE) students dedicated to teaching in under-served schools who will be student teaching anytime during the fall, winter or spring term.

Patricia Cassin-Graft, Class of 1957, and Michael J. Graft, Sr. have established the Patricia Cassin-Graft Student Teacher Assistance Fund at National Louis University. The fund is a permanent endowment supported by the Graft family, other alumni and friends. The fund is meant to assist National College of Education students who are dedicated to serving under-served schools, who face financial stress and who recognize the importance of the philanthropic values that have made these funds available.

Currently, the fund seeks to assist graduate or undergraduate NCE students who will complete their final student teaching requirements. Awards will be up to the cost of tuition and fees of the student’s Student Teaching term.

The fund does not provide cash awards. Recipients of the award receive a credit to their account at National Louis to offset the cost of tuition and fees during their term of student teaching.

Recipients of the award sign a written agreement that states they will teach in an under-served school of their choice in the Chicago or suburban region for the first two consecutive years following graduation.

The award looks for candidates of exceptional talent who: a) are committed to teaching in low income communities; b) show promise of becoming highly qualified teachers and role models; and c) have significant financial need.

Students who are interested in being considered must meet the following eligibility guidelines:

Full or part time enrollment in a degree program concentrating in early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education
Maintain a 3.25 or higher grade point average
Completion of all pre-requisite courses for student teaching
Submit a letter of recommendation from a National Louis University faculty member
Submit an essay articulating your aspirations and financial needs
Demonstrate financial need as assessed by the University’s financial aid office
Willingness to teach in the Chicago Public Schools or other urban low-income schools where the need for teachers is the greatest

To be considered for this award the student should prepare an original written narrative that includes all of the following topics in the order presented below:

PERSONAL: Your name and Student ID

COMMITMENT TO TEACHING

Why you want to teach
Your favorite age group to teach, and why
Your favorite subject to teach, and why

LEADERSHIP

Why you want to teach in an under-served school
What you think your biggest challenge in the classroom will be as a new teacher and how you will overcome that challenge
Why you think you should be selected among the other applicants who meet the criteria for this scholarship
How you will sustain your commitment to teaching
How you will "pay it forward" if you receive an award

CIVIC/VOLUNTEER INTERESTS AND AWARDS

A description of any off campus volunteer work or causes in which you have participated over the last two years
Description of other scholarships or awards received in the past

FINANCIAL NEED

A general description of the financial need you will face during your student teaching
A general description of other financial resources available to you, and other financial obligations that you have

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Any additional information that you think may be useful for consideration
You must also attach a resume and application form with contact information, including the name and phone numbers of your current place of employment, if you are currently employed
Note on essays: Typographical, grammatical, and editorial quality of essays are weighed as a reflection, in part, of an applicant’s ability to communicate and teach language and communication skills. Applicants may seek assistance and review of their essays, at no charge, from the University's Department of Library & Learning Support (LLS) www.nl.edu/lls. Feel free to contact LLS at x3374 or learn@nl.edu (for tutoring support). Also, for library help, please contact LLS at x3376 or library@nl.edu.

Finalists will be asked to meet in person with University representatives and the Graft family. No phone meetings will be conducted.

Recipients of the award may be asked to participate on an occasional basis in special events.

The 2013-2014 Cassin Graft Scholarship Application must accompany your resume and essay. Apply directly by sending application form, resume, and essay, all as attachments, to Stscholarships@nl.edu.

All submitted applications will receive an acknowledgement email confirming receipt. If you do not receive a response to your application within 24 hours, it is your responsibility to contact us so that you can work together to identify the issue.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call Steve Di Benedetto, Director of Student Finance at 847.947.5409 or e-mail at stscholarships@nl.edu.

Unfortunately, AUSL Residents and Chicago Teaching Fellows do not qualify for this specific scholarship.