Scholarships Announced for Children & Grandchildren of Chicago Police and Fire Fighters (As seen in IIT Today)

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, IIT President John Anderson, representatives of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, and Illinois and Chicago Veterans Affairs officials announced IIT scholarships offered to qualifying children and grandchildren of members of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments at a news conference on main campus on Saturday, December 12, 2009. IIT is also providing Illinois veterans the opportunity to attend IIT tuition-free under the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program.

"This partnership is a perfect example of the higher education community reaching out to work with our residents", Daley said at the news conference in the Engineering 1 Building. "Together, we can work to prepare them to succeed in today's increasingly technologically oriented society".



Under the Chicago Police and Fire Department Scholarship program, eligible students are guaranteed a four-year scholarship in the annual amount of $15,000, provided he or she makes satisfactory academic progress. Chicago Police Lieutenant Michael Dejanovich, who completed his master's in public administration at IIT in 1994, spoke of his time at IIT and the opportunities furthering his education have opened.



"This new scholarship program will provide the families of our city's dedicated police and fire professionals increased opportunities to pursue a world-class education at IIT," said Anderson. "We consider it a privilege to be able to give something back to those who risk their lives each day to protect the citizens of Chicago.

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The Veterans Yellow Ribbon Undergraduate and Graduate Program allows returning veterans who are eligible for full GI Bill benefits free tuition to IIT. There are currently 13 veterans participating in this program: eleven undergraduate students, one graduate, and one Stuart School of Business student. 



"These men and women pulled themselves away from their families and laid their lives on the line to serve their country. It's important to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice," said Daley. "This program is going to make a big difference in the lives of our returning veterans."



"Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program allows IIT to give back to those who have sacrificed to serve their country," said Anderson. "The program provides veterans with the opportunity to receive an outstanding education at IIT that will enrich their futures and enhance the learning experience of all of our students."



Following the announcements and a few questions from the press, Mayor Daley and President Anderson stayed to talk with the approximately two dozen IIT students who had participated in the news conference.