InSPIRE Post-Secondary Scholarship
Chart your course. We’ll help you fund it.
New in 2024, the InSPIRE Post-Secondary Scholarship Program is for Chicagoland high school seniors who have participated in any Chicago Yacht Club Foundation programs and are pursuing post-secondary education or training. Funded through a bequest of more than $1 million from longtime CYC member Dr. Jean-Paul Spire, this program offers scholarships to graduating seniors for post-secondary education.
Whether your next step is college, trade school, or another educational path, this scholarship is designed to recognize your growth and potential and celebrate your involvement in our programs.
About the Scholarship
The inSPIRE Scholarship awards are based on financial need, program involvement, and a demonstrated passion for boating and learning.
Scholarship amounts: Range from $1,500 to $5,000
Eligibility
Be a high school senior or recent graduate
Have participated in at least one CYCF program
Be planning to attend a post-secondary program (college, trade school, or similar)
Submit all materials by the application deadline
Application Requirements
Complete the online application
Submit a 500-word essay (included in the application) responding to:
How are you inSPIREd to make boating a part of your life? How will receiving an inSPIRE scholarship help you chart your own course?Provide basic academic, extracurricular, and financial information
Work with a parent or guardian for the financial portion of the application
Application deadline: Will be announced in Spring 2026
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated by members of the CYCF Board based on:
Level of financial need
Degree of participation in CYCF programs
Evidence of follow-through and readiness for post-secondary success
Depth of personal connection to boating
Contact Information: grants@chicagoyachtclubfoundation.org
Interested?
Fill out your information HERE to stay in touch!