Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund opens doors for eighth grade students

Jessica Ayala doesn’t mince words when sharing her experience as a Murphy Scholar.

“Becoming a Murphy Scholar changed my life,” Ayala says.

Growing up in Waukegan, she credits her eighth grade teacher with introducing her to the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund, a program designed to unlock educational opportunities for talented Chicago-area students facing financial need.

“Too often, students' educational trajectories are determined by the ZIP code in which they are born,” shares Cindy Hallums, CEO of the Chicago-based nonprofit. “ DMSF gives access to an excellent education for high-performing students with financial need. We remove the financial burden and ensure students have what they need to succeed in high school, college and beyond.”

Currently, DMSF has 496 Murphy Scholars enrolled in school, 87 partner high schools (private and boarding schools across the country), and the median income of a Murphy Scholar family is $40,800. The last graduating class of Murphy Scholars, the Class of 2024, included 72% first generation students, making them the first in their families to go to college. This high percentage speaks volumes to the need families have to understand the college process and ensure their kids have the opportunity to build careers and live happy, fulfilling lives. Many of those students continued their education and received $2.8 million in aid by their college of choice.

The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) helps open doors for students to help them carry out their potential. It’s not just tuition support.

“Murphy Scholars have access to a wide range of programs to ensure their personal and academic success,” Hallums adds.

Some of those programs include Summer Bridge, a two-week immersion program that helps them review core subjects and hone in on their presentation skills and healthy study habits before they step into high school; tutoring, mentorship, affinity groups, and leadership development; and a summer Murphy Caddie program where more than 375 of Murphy Scholars have received the full tuition and housing scholarship the college through the Evans Scholarship.

The program also features a dedicated college counseling department that guides the scholars and their families through the college application process so that they make well-informed decisions on what their continuing education looks like after high school.

“With many of our scholars being the first in their family to attend college, we specialize in supporting the whole family throughout the college application and matriculation process,” Hallums notes.

DMSF Applications Due Oct. 1

Eighth graders with strong grades, leadership potential, and financial need can apply online at dmsf.org/aspiring-scholars by Oct. 1, 2024. The process includes submitting recommendations, essays, and income statements, followed by interviews for selected candidates. Interviews will take place between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15. Two weeks after the applicant’s interview, they will be notified on the status of their application and acceptance into DMSF.

Ayala encourages students from Waukegan and North Chicago to apply.

“I know how hard families work to give their kids everything,” she says. “If families haven’t thought about how their kids can access a high-quality education that’s going to put them on a path to college and a career, this is 100% worth the time in completing. I have the honor of seeing my nephew become a Murphy Scholar this year and the path he has ahead is one I’m so excited to witness as he begins his journey with the organization.”

Those interested in supporting DMSF can help by spreading the work to potential applicants, volunteering and supporting the mission through time, treasure and talent.

“Being able to support students these last 35 years has been an honor for us at DMSF,” Hallums says. “The students and families we’ve been able to meet, serve and witness great growth in is one part of how special our work is as an organization. The other part is the reality of what many families don’t have access to in their communities when it comes to a quality education. We invite eighth graders and their families who meet the requirements to apply before Oct. 1.”

Aspiring Scholars can apply at dmsf.org/aspiring-scholars.html.