External Scholarships
St. Rita is proud to partner with several external scholarship programs: Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation, HFS Chicago Scholars, HighSight Scholars, Link Unlimited Scholars, the Orange Crush Social Athletic Club Scholarship, and the Zac Plantz Memorial Scholarship. The application process for these programs begins in fall/winter of a student’s 8th grade year, and families are notified of acceptance in late winter/early spring. This process ensures families the peace of mind in enrolling in a Catholic high school education.
These partnerships not only provide tuition assistance for our students, but also mentoring, tutoring, and networking opportunities. We are grateful for the time, dedication, and resources these scholarship programs and their staff provide not only to help our families afford a St. Rita education, but also for the opportunities they afford our students to ensure a brighter future beyond high school.
Below we would like to share the mission of each partnership as well as the application deadlines (if currently available) and their application links.
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The mission of the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund is to unlock educational opportunities for talented Chicago-area students facing financial need. DMSF partners with scholars, families and schools through high school and beyond by providing scholarships, academic programs and personal support so that each scholar can reach their potential.
Four-year partial scholarship
The median income of a Murphy Scholar family is currently about $37,800 each year.
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HFS Chicago Scholars helps underserved Chicago high school students flourish in and out of the classroom by providing educational enrichment through our lifelong mentoring, college readiness and academic excellence programs, as well as providing financial assistance to attend top Chicago-area schools.
Four-year partial scholarship
Family income must be less than $55,000 to apply
Student must reside in Chicago
APPLICATION OPENS: August 1, 2025
APPLICATION CLOSES: November 15, 2025
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HighSight provides scholarships, tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, and college readiness programs that create new possibilities for Chicago high school students from low-income families. The HighSight experience empowers our scholars to excel in high school and graduate from four-year colleges across the country.
Four year partial scholarship
Student must reside in Chicago
Family must demonstrate financial need
APPLICATION OPEN
DEADLINE: March 31, 2026
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LINK Unlimited provides high-potential Black students with the resources and support they need to change the trajectory of their future.
Four-year partial scholarship
Student must be a Black 8th grade student with a demonstrated financial need
Student must reside in the Chicagoland area and plan to attend a LINK Unlimited Scholars partner school
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Orange Crush announces that it will be awarding scholarships to high school and college bound students from Latino Communities. Students must reside in the Chicagoland area, demonstrate educational excellence and have a passion for athletics.
Student & Academics
Must be a current high school bound or college bound student from the Chicagoland area Latino communities, preferably from Little Village, Back of the Yards and Pilsen.
Candidate must demonstrate a financial need.
Must have a 3.0 out of a 4.0 GPA or equivalent, throughout current academic year.
Extracurricular Activities
Must be involved in at least one athletic team in school or through other recreational athletic organizations.
May be requested to volunteer at Orange Crush S.A.C. events if/when school schedule allows.
Deadline: June 30, 2026
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The Zac Plantz Memorial Scholarship is awarded to incoming high school freshmen who embody the mission of the Zac Plantz Foundation and honor the spirit of Zac through their commitment to academic, spiritual, and social growth.
The applicant must demonstrate a commitment to leadership, talent, and service. The scholarship will be presented to students who will positively contribute to their communities and show the potential to establish inspiring legacies of their own through their faith-based secondary education and extracurricular involvement.
All applicants for the 2025-2026 academic year must be an incoming freshman attending a Catholic high school in the continental United States.
Applications will be reviewed after the submission deadline and applicants will be notified upon application review of their award status (potentially up to a full 4-year scholarship).
APPLICATION CLOSED