CHICAGO — High school graduates this year have a chance of getting a full ride to college thanks to a new partnership.
Chicago musician T.L. Williams and Infinite Scholars — a nonprofit founded in 2003 to help financially disadvantaged students go to college — plan to send 200 recent high school graduates to college this fall. They're seeking applicants with a 2.0 or higher GPA. The deadline is May 1.
Scholarships will be awarded to Rust College, a historically black college in Holly Springs, Miss. Applicants must submit a high school transcript, including ACT score and a completed Rust College application. The application fee will be waived. The scholarship will cover room and board, tuition and books.
"There is a need in the American education system for absolutely everyone to be able to reach their full potential," Williams, 28, said. "There are plenty of great schools that exist, but because of certain environments that children grow up in, they simply just don't know about them."
The west suburban Bellwood native, who now lives in the south suburbs, said that he admires the efforts of Infinite Scholars, adding that Rust College is a great institution for young leaders.
"We intend to make sure the opportunities connect with the youth that can benefit," he said.
All applicants must contact dj.infinitescholarchi@gmail.com.
Those seeking to major in biology, business administration, child care management, social science, English, liberal arts, mass communication, broadcast journalism, accounting and more are encouraged to apply.
Williams' music combines R&B, jazz and funk using trumpet, piano and bass. His song "Gettin Mo Money Than You" has been viewed on YouTube nearly 800,000 times.
"First introduced to the piano as a toddler, Williams has effectively combined the best sounds of R&B, jazz and pop to stand out and create a new sound that is all his own," wrote one critic.
Born into a musical family, Lewis was a high school band star before studying with such greats as Wynton Marsalis.
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