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Read the Annual Report 2008 PDF.

Click here to hear U.S. Senator Dick Durbin talk about the importance of IEF Scholarships.

Click here to watch the "Newsmakers" video about the IEF airing on CNN Headline News.

Read the Chicago Sun-Time article on the IEF: "Program Invests in Student Success". PDF

Read the Chicago Social article on the IEF's First Annual Food & Wine Tasting Event. PDF

Home >> About IEF >> Philosophy

Philosophy

The IEF believes that education is the "great equalizer".  It is the means by which our young people will empower themselves to be productive and responsible adults, who are making significant contributions to our economy and our society.  The IEF recognizes that in order to produce students who are successfully prepared to enter our ever-evolving 21st century workforce, scholarship programs must leverage existing college funding, increase access to several levels of postsecondary education for underserved populations; integrate financial assistance with wraparound services that support all aspects of students' development, and deliver demonstrable return on donors' investments.

In support of this philosophy, all IEF programs adhere to the following six principles:

1. All scholarships are “last dollar scholarships.” All applicants must first file a FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) and include their SAR (Student Aid Report) with their applications. To reach the widest group of students with limited funding it is essential that we first access existing channels of financial aid. Federal Pell and SEOG grants and state MAP grants will be the first funds used to finance our students’ higher education. We will work with the high school students to complete this process, and partner with other not-for-profits who provide tax and FAFSA preparation services.
2. All scholarships include academic support services. Currently half of those students who start college never finish with a degree. The IEF creates scholarship programs that incorporate private sector mentors, academic advising, and tutoring, as well as seminars to help the students with life skills.
3. Scholarships will be afforded to students who want to attend: community college programs, four-year institutions, and vocational training programs.
4. Programs will be statewide in scope. Because Illinois houses the third largest public school system in the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago students are the primary focus of the IEF. However, as the IEF grows and expands, we will work to provide scholarship opportunities for students throughout the state of Illinois.
5. The largest portion of our scholarship programs are targeted toward low-income and minority students. This population has to be reached in high school, where 50% of African-American, Latino, and Native American students currently do not graduate in four years. For those who do graduate less than 50% have the skills necessary to enter college level math or reading courses. The IEF partners with other local community non-for-profits to raise the awareness of college scholarship opportunities for minority students. It is our hope that by showing these students the path we can help keep them in school. 
6. Accountability. All students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in any of our customized programs, with no unapproved dropped courses in order to renew the scholarship each semester. It is essential that the donors, whether they are taxpayers, corporations, or individual donors see that their funds are creating positive outcomes. The IEF is not about giving students a handout, rather, a leg up!