Sims advances plan to develop affordable housing for community college students

CHICAGO— State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. advanced legislation out of the Senate, that would give community college boards of trustees and local housing authorities permission to develop affordable housing for community college students.

“There are many advantages to living on campus for students,” said Sims. “We all know that housing provides a place to lay your head, but the benefits go far beyond that, as studies show that students who live on campus complete more credit hours and have higher grade point averages. While also making campus resources like the library, labs and support services more easily available.”

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City Colleges of Chicago Scholarship & Grant Opportunities

Whether someone you know is graduating from high school or is looking to make a career change later in life, City Colleges of Chicago offers pathways that will help them to reach their goals.  

This summer and fall, City Colleges is offering a wide range of substantial scholarships and grants to make our quality education even more affordable. Please share the following list with your network:

• Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) Grants – Chicago residents looking to advance their job prospects may be eligible to earn an industry-recognized certificate for free, helping to propel them towards an in-demand career in under a year. Learn more here.
   
• Star Scholarship – Students who graduate from a CPS, charter, or Big Shoulders Fund-Supported partner schools and earn at least a 3.0 GPA can complete their certificate or degree at CCC for free, including tuition and books. Learn more here.
   
• Summer Start – Students who graduated from CPS in fall 2020 or will graduate in spring 2021 and plan to continue their education at CCC this fall may be eligible to earn free college English credits and up to $1,000 this summer. Learn more here.
   
• ACE Scholarship – Students who graduated from CPS in 2020 and have not yet started their college journeys may be eligible to earn up to $1,500 this summer and fall, as well as a free laptop to keep. Learn more here.
   
• SEED Scholarship – Recent CPS graduates looking to become CPS teachers through the Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership are eligible for an up to $3,000 renewable scholarship from CCC starting this fall. Learn more here.
   
• PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship – Students who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic, or Latinx and are pursuing a career in one of five identified fields may be eligible a scholarship award from the PepsiCo Foundation worth up to the total cost of tuition and books for the semester. Learn more here.

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Sims seeks to establish entrepreneurship assistance centers for minorities

CHICAGO-In an effort to provide instruction, training and support services to new and aspiring entrepreneurs, State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) is sponsoring House Bill 665, which would require the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to establish and support entrepreneurship assistance centers around the state.

“There are no simple rules or a checklist that can guarantee success as an entrepreneur,” Sims said. “Entrepreneurship is hard and often times presents many roadblocks in the early stages of planning. We want to make this process easier for those who have a passion to build their own brand while equipping them with the necessary skills to become successful.”

The legislation would also require grants be awarded to train minority group members including people of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Specialized training services at the centers would include orientation and screening of prospective entrepreneurs, analysis of business concepts and technical feasibility, market analysis, management analysis and counseling, business planning and financial planning assistance, referrals to financial resources and much more.

House Bill 665 passed the Senate Commerce Committee and moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Sims moves to establish affordable housing for community college students

CHICAGO— Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) moved legislation to give community college boards of trustees, and local housing authorities, permission to develop affordable housing for community college students.

“This is about bettering the college experience for every student in this state,” said Sims. “Research shows that students who live on campus have higher GPAs. When students live on campus they are more plugged-in to the campus community and have more opportunities to join clubs, attend events, meet new people.”

Under current law, community colleges do not have the right to own student housing. In order for community schools to develop affordable housing for students, the process must be administered through a local Housing Authority or nonprofit organization.

Proponents of the bill also suggest that restricted housing on community college campuses fails to meet the need of every student. Traditionally, community colleges catered to students living within reasonable driving distance of the school. And while that arrangement works for some students, now-a-days a lengthy and costly commute poses a challenging barrier to those living at a distance, including international students.

House Bill 374 passed out of the Senate Higher Education Committee and moves to the full Senate for consideration.