Scholarship Opportunities

The Agatha O'Brien Scholarship highlights the ministry of Mother Agatha O'Brien, a Sister of Mercy who helped established the foundation in Chicago. In the face of extreme hardship, she demonstrated leadership, courage, perseverance and service to those in need of education. This renewable scholarship is awarded based on student performance in the High School Placement Test (HSPT), the test administered by McAuley for the Entrance Exam. Students must take the Entrance Exam at Mother McAuley to qualify for this scholarship

Scholarship is awarded based on the local percentile as follows:

• 99% = $3,000
• 98% to 95% = $2,000
• 94% to 90% = $1,000

Equal to one-half tuition, renewable

Recognizing the importance of a Catholic, secondary education, the Board of Trustees of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School established a Board of Trustees Scholarship. This scholarship provides one-half of a year’s tuition and will be awarded to one (1) member of the incoming freshman class. Annual renewal is based on continual compliance with established criteria. Thus, four students, one in each grade level, are designated Board of Trustees Scholars.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. The applicant must have completed a minimum of two (2) years in a Catholic elementary school.
3. The applicant demonstrates seriousness in academic achievement and excellent academic potential/achievement.
4. The applicant has good disciplinary record.
5. The applicant participates in school or a Church/community activity.
6. The applicant’s family must have significant demonstrated financial need as determined by the submission of the online financial aid application.
7. The applicant must have maintained a 3.5 grade point average (B+) during the first semester of 8^th grade and have the ability to maintain a 3.0 grade point average while at McAuley.
8. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must not be more than 500 words.  Please do not put your name, any of your relative’s names, or any other identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response in text box below. 

Essay Prompt: Please share your own reason(s) for seeking this scholarship, and explain your dreams and goals once you graduate from Mother McAuley.

$1,000 non-renewable

This $1000 non-renewable scholarship will be awarded to ten (10) members of the incoming class who have been recognized for their service and leadership skills. We are looking to recognize students who have gone “above and beyond” their Confirmation service hour requirement and who are making a difference in their church, school, or community.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. The applicant must have gone “above and beyond” their Confirmation service hour requirement and are making a different in their Church, school, or community.
3. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 500 words. Please do not put your name or any identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt: Describe how you have actively participated in your school, Church, and/or community.  How have you used your leadership skills during this service?  How has your service made a difference for others?

$2,500 renewable

Awarded to four (4) incoming freshmen who are actively involved in some volunteer activity above and beyond the required.

Christie and Mark Sever sent their three children through Catholic grade school, high school, college and graduate school. Mr. and Mrs. Sever both served many roles as volunteers within their parish and community. Christie (Gallagher) is a Class of 1972 graduate of Mother McAuley High School. Additionally, Christie Sever has served on the Board of Trustees of Mother McAuley. Mr. and Mrs. Sever are firm believers of hard work, scholastic application, volunteerism and the Catholic faith.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. The applicant must be actively involved in some volunteer activity above and beyond the required. Examples include, but are not limited to, Eucharistic minister, lector, church choir, soup kitchen, Scout or nursing home volunteer.
3. The applicant’s family must demonstrate financial need as determined by the submission of the Mother McAuley financial aid application, or other means of evaluating financial need.
4. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 500 words. Please do not put your name or any identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt:  Why is it important for you to attend Mother McAuley?  What do you expect to receive through a Mother McAuley education?

$6,000 renewable

Awarded to five (5) freshmen with a strong academic record, demonstrated leadership skills, and commitment to service.  

The Daniel P. Haerther Charitable Trust has generously funded a scholarship program for twenty scholars (five per level). In addition to receiving a financial award, scholars will be required to participate in events facilitated by the scholarship trustees each year. These include monthly meetings, a cultural field trip, service project, college visits, and other activities that will help them learn about and determine their college and career plans. Additional offerings include full financial support for ACT prep and access to a college mentoring program to provide one-on-one assistance in preparing for your college search, the college application process, and assistance in college scholarships, which begins in your sophomore year. There are robust career and strong networking components for scholars throughout all four years.  

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. Letter of Recommendation:  Please have your principal or teacher write a letter of recommendation, it is to to be emailed directly from the teacher of principal to Mrs. Rourke at prourke@mothermcauley.org.
3. The applicant must have a B average or above for their first semester of 8^th grade. Students will be required to maintain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 at McAuley for the duration of the scholarship.
4. No major disciplinary or attendance issues.
5. Demonstrated financial need through submission of the online financial aid application.
6. Applicant must be focused on attending a four-year college or university.
7. Applicant must show strong co-curricular involvement in clubs, fine arts, athletics and/or community service.
8. Applicant must complete of an essay following the instructions below. 
9. Applicant must print out this signature sheet to be signed by her parent/guardian and her elementary school principal. This sheet can be scanned and uploaded to the application below.
   Printable Signature Sheet
10. Selected candidates will be required to attend an interview with the scholarship committee as part of the selection process after school in March. You will be notified if you have made it to the interview round.

Essay Instructions

Please develop an essay incorporating the answers to the three questions below.  The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 500 words. Please do not put your name or any identifying information in your essay. The essay is a very important component of the application, and will be evaluated on content, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.  Be sure to proofread your essay!  You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt: 

(1)      Mother McAuley strives to graduate intelligent, articulate, service-driven, active, and compassionate young women. Describe how your current academic performance and extracurricular participation currently aids or will aid in your development of each of these characteristics.

(2)       In thinking of these traits, what are your goals as you become a student at Mother McAuley? How will your high school experiences and a Mother McAuley education enhance your future success?

(3)      Leadership can be exhibited in varying degrees - there are quiet leaders, assertive leaders, those who lead by example, some who take on large projects, and others who perform small but helpful acts of service. How would you describe your leadership style and what types of activities or examples can you provide that highlight this particular type of leadership?

$1,000 non-renewable

This scholarship is awarded to one (1) member of the incoming class. 

This scholarship is in memory of Denise Sullivan Huguelet '72;  a special education teacher for more than 30 years, a mother to five, grandmother to eleven, and friend to all that met her.  Her son Mike shared, "We traditionally think of accomplishments as titles and awards and bank account amounts...She didn't look at accomplishments as, 'I want to obtain this position' or 'I need to get this thing to validate my skill set.' She just served.  I think the accomplishments that I'm proud of her for and that she'd be most proud of are the individual student successes...Those were the accomplishments that she would be proud of.  In the small moments, she could make somebody feel better and do something that they didn't think they could do."

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. The applicant must agree to have a 2.5 G.P.A. or higher as a student at Mother McAuley, starting in the fall of their freshman year. 
3. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 500 words. Please do not put your name, any of your relative’s names, or any other identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt: Like Denise, how have you shared your spirit with others? How do you plan to ignite the spirit of others while serving the Mother McAuley community?

$1,000 non-renewable

This scholarship is awarded to one (1) member of the incoming class.

The Friendship Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of Patricia Dalton Dart '82 and Barbara Cherry Marzano '83; best friends who battled cancer yet remained supportive, kind, and loving to all. The scholarship will provide an annual scholarship of $1,000 for students whose families are battling cancer and entering their freshmen year of Mother McAuley High School.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. The applicant must agree to have a 2.5 G.P.A. or higher as a student at Mother McAuley, starting in the fall of their freshman year. 
3. The applicant’s family must have completed the online financial aid application.
4. Family member who is currently battling cancer.
5. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 500 words. Please do not put your name, any of your relative’s names, or any other identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt: Please describe the importance of friendship, family, and faith in your life and education.

$1,000 renewable

This scholarship is awarded to a daughter, granddaughter, niece or sister of a McAuley alumna.

The Helen and Dick Carey Scholarship was established by a Mother McAuley alumna in honor of her parents. The applicant must be a legacy student whose mother, grandmother(s), and/or aunt(s) graduated from McAuley Liberal Arts High School. This scholarship will provide $1,000 in tuition assistance to one (1) member of the class of 2027, and is renewable throughout her four years provided she maintains a G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. The applicant must be the daughter, granddaughter, niece, or sister of a Mother McAuley alumna or a St. Xavier Academy (not college or university) alumna.
3. The applicant must agree to have a 2.5 G.P.A. or higher as a student at Mother McAuley, starting in the fall of their freshman year. 
4. The applicant’s family must have completed the online financial aid application.
5. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 500 words. Please do not put your name, any of your relative’s names, or any other identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt: How will you commit/dedicate yourself to your McAuley education knowing that education is power?

$1,000 non-renewable

Ten (10) $1,000 non-renewable tuition scholarship will be awarded to members of the incoming freshman class in honor of their parent’s dedication to serving and protecting their community as a member of the police or fire department.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must have taken the entrance exam at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
2. At least one parent of the applicant must be an active member of any local municipality’s police or fire department. 
3. The applicant must submit an essay using the prompt below. Essays must be no longer than 300 words. Please do not put your name or any identifying information in your essay. You will be able to copy and paste or type your essay response into the text box below. 

Essay Prompt: Please describe why you believe that your parent is a hero.