LARES Transfer Scholar Award
Application window for the Fall 2026 semester is currently closed and will open July 2026.
The LARES Transfer Scholar Award is designed to assist incoming transfer students reach their goal of obtaining a baccalaureate degree. Candidates are considered based on merit and leadership. Award funding is specifically earmarked for tuition, fees, and other educational related expenses.
Eligibility:
- New transfer students who have earned at least 36 transfer credits.
- Must be enrolled in the LARES program. Please visit the following link to sign up for the program: lares.uic.edu/about/get-connected/
- Student must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.25.
- Student must qualify for in-state tuition.
To be considered for this award, students will need to:
- Visit http://uic.academicworks.com.
- Select “Sign In With Your Institution”.
- Complete the general UIC SnAP application and when finished, click on “Finish and Submit”.
- Go to the “Opportunities” tab and search “LARES Transfer Scholar Award”; click “Apply”.
- Complete the required questions within the application and be prepared to submit the following:
- Resume
- Recent Headshot
- Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required, written on official letterhead by an advisor, professor, or administrator. Instructions will be sent directly to the email address you provide. Important: We strongly recommend that you contact your reference before submitting their contact information. Letters submitted directly by the student will not be accepted and applications without a letter of recommendation will not be considered. - Short Essay Responses: each response should be between 250–300 words:
- Discuss your academic and professional goals. How will these goals contribute to the Latino community?
- Discuss your involvement and/or leadership experience within the Latino community. You may include relevant volunteer work, student involvement, or workforce experience.
- Click “Finish and Submit”.
Recipients of the LARES Transfer Award will be expected to:
- Maintain a full-time course-load (at least 12 credits) at UIC during the semester the award is distributed.
- Complete a minimum of 5 hours volunteering with the LARES program during the term the award is granted. More information will be provided to recipients.
