On Tuesday, the entire student bodies at Benito Juarez Community Academy High School and Al Raby High School (1,800 students in total) received a surprise visit from Hope Chicago and were told that they and their parents are receiving full, debt-free college scholarships to partner colleges and universities. Tuesday’s school announcements are just the beginning of a momentous week of surprise scholarship announcements from Hope Chicago for the entire student bodies at five Chicago public high schools across the city. In total this week, Hope Chicago will award 4,000 students in 9th-12th grade and their parents (or guardians) the opportunity for debt-free post-secondary education, a chance to change the economic trajectory of their lives that they may have dreamed of but assumed would be financially out of reach. Established in September 2021, Hope Chicago is a unique new scholarship program whose mission is to employ a transformative multi-generation scholarship model that seeks to redefine the education landscape in Chicago. Hope Scholars can use their fully funded scholarships at one of Hope Chicago’s 20 partner colleges, universities, or other educational programs across the state of Illinois. Hope Chicago covers tuition and wraparound services and support, including non-tuition costs like books, food, and housing as well as mentoring and counseling starting in high school. Hope Chicago scholarships are not for high school students only – they’re for their parents or guardians, as well, a first-of-its-kind multigenerational approach intended to help lift entire families out of poverty.