The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund 2024-2025 Award Ceremony is sponsored by DMSF.
Are you interested in the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund? We’re currently accepting applications for the next group of Murphy Scholars, the Class of 2028. The application deadline is October 1, 2023. See about the scholarship, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply below:
About the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund:
The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) is the biggest scholarship organization for high school students in Chicago. DMSF helps talented students in the Chicago area who need financial assistance to access educational opportunities. DMSF works with Scholars, their families, and schools throughout high school and afterward. They offer scholarships, academic programs, and personal support to help each Scholar achieve their full potential.
Check: Apply for UNIFAST Scholarship Program 2023-2024 Application Form
How many scholarships will be given out?
DMSF will award approximately 130-140 scholarships to students each year.
Can the scholarship be used at any school?
No, the scholarship is only applicable to DMSF partner schools. DMSF has the authority to restrict the scholarship award to specific school(s).
What should I do if I receive a DMSF scholarship?
Receiving a DMSF scholarship is not the final step. Here are the next steps to follow:
- Take the required high school admission test(s).
- Gain admission to a DMSF partner school.
- Complete the school’s financial aid forms by the school’s deadline and receive financial aid from the school.
- Register at the school by the school’s deadline.
- Sign a DMSF scholarship contract.
- Attend DMSF’s mandatory two-week Summer Bridge program.
Murphy Scholar Requirements:
- 8th-grade applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic potential, and leadership potential.
- Applicants must reside in the Chicagoland area or Lake County.
How to Apply for Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund
For Students:
- Complete several short answer questions regarding your activities and interests.
- Respond to two essay questions.
For Parents/Guardians:
- Provide financial information for all parents/guardians, including non-custodial ones.
- Acceptable financial documents include:
- Individual Tax Return (Form 1040) where the applicant is listed as a dependent.
- W2s.
- Social Security Statement.
- Notarized letter from the employer stating weekly/monthly income if the family doesn’t file taxes.
For Educators:
- Obtain recommendations from:
- A Math or English Teacher.
- The Principal or Counselor.
- Upload the applicant’s 7th-grade report cards and IEP/504 documents if applicable.
After Submission:
- DMSF will contact your teachers and principal/counselor to obtain recommendations on your behalf.
Important Dates:
Application Deadline:
- Application Deadline for DMSF’s Class of 2028: October 1, 2023.
High School Fair:
- Mark your calendar for
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Location: Saint Ignatius College Prep High School, 1076 Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608.
- This is a great opportunity to learn more about DMSF and meet representatives from over 65 of our partner day and boarding schools.
Virtual Visit:
- If you would like a DMSF representative to speak to interested 7th and 8th graders about DMSF and the application process, please fill out this form or email DMSF at admissions@dmsf.org.
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund – Applicant Portal:
For More Information:
If you want to get more information about what’s in the application, you can access a preview of the application using the provided links below.
The English application details are explained below, so you don’t need to download it separately.
Daniel Murphy Application Guide for Class of 2028:
To begin the application process with Daniel Murphy, the applicant’s legal guardian must create an account. If you haven’t done this before, click the “Not a Member” link below to create an account.
Important Information:
Guidelines Before Starting the Application:
- The “Applicant” section is for the STUDENT who is applying. Information about other family members will be collected on later screens.
- The “Preparer” section is for the LEGAL GUARDIAN of the student who is logged in to create the application. If you are a school counselor or the student themselves, please do not create an application. Instead, create a login account for the Guardian with their First Name, Last Name, and Email so that future communications about the application go to the right people.
- Once an application is started, only the person who originally logged in and created it can continue to update and ultimately submit the application.
- You can use the “Save for Later” link to start an application and resume completion at a later time.
Indicates a required field.
Applicant Checklist:
- Applicant (Student) Details
- Preparer (Parent/Guardian) Details
- Family Household
- Referral Details
- School Interest
- Education
- Extracurricular Essays
- Financial Details
- Recommendations
- Submit application?
- Application Submitted!
Application Details:
- Applying To: DMSF Class of 2028
- Term: 2024/2025 School Year
- Due Date: 10-01-2023
Legal Guardian Confirmation:
- The Preparer of this application must be the legal guardian for the applicant. By completing this application, I attest that I am the legal guardian for the applicant. I give Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund permission to contact me through email and text regarding the application.
- I am the applicant’s legal guardian
- I attest that the information contained within this application is accurate and true.
Applicant (Student) Information:
- First/given name
- Middle Name
- Last/family/surname
- Suffix
Would you like to share a different first name that the Applicant goes by?
Yes or No
- Gender
- Female
- Male
- Non-Binary
- Date of birth
Applicant (Student) Address:
- Permanent home address
- Street
- City
- State
- Zip Code
Contact Information:
- Mobile Phone
- Other Phone
- Home Phone Number
- Mobile Phone Number
- Work Phone
Preparer’s Information:
- Highest Education Level
- Elementary School
- High School Graduate
- College Graduate
- Pursuing College Degree
- Post-Graduate
- I have disability status
- I serve(d) in the US Military Service
- Military Background (Describe)
Confirmation:
- Please confirm that you’ve completed this section to your satisfaction.
Family Household:
Where in Chicagoland do you live?
-
- City of Chicago
- Cicero
- Berwyn
- Other
- We are currently experiencing homelessness.
- Number of children under 18 in your household
- Number of adults in your household
- Primary language in your home
- Translator is needed or preferred.
- Household Structure
- Married, Two-Parent Household
- Single receiving child support
- Single providing all support
- Single sharing expenses
- Parent Separation Status
- Separated, no court action
- Divorced
- Legally Separated
- Never Married
Is there a joint custody agreement?
Yes or No
One or more parents is deceased.
Is there a second legal guardian?
Yes or No
Second Legal Guardian:
- Type
- First Name
- Last Name
- Emergency Contact
- Phone
Referral Details:
How did you hear about our program?
- Partner Referral
- Alumni Referral
- Direct Mail
- Advertisement
- Web Search
- Social Media
- School Visit
- Other
Is there an additional applicant in your family applying to the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund Class of 2028?
Yes or No
If yes, provide Additional Applicant’s Name and Relationship
- Sibling
- Cousin
- Aunt/Uncle
- Other
Is there a current Daniel Murphy Scholar in your family?
Yes or No
If yes, provide Current Scholar’s Name and Relationship
- Sibling
- Cousin
- Aunt/Uncle
- Other
School Interest:
- List any Private or Independent Day-Schools to which you intend to apply.
- List any Public High Schools to which you intend to apply.
- I am interested in attending a Boarding School.
- Guardian supports the Applicant’s interest in Boarding School.
Which areas of the USA are of interest to you for Boarding School?
- West
- Midwest
- East
- No Preference
Why are you interested in attending a Boarding School?
- List any Boarding Schools to which you intend to apply.
- If the applicant has taken the SSAT, please upload the test results.
- SSAT Results — Upload File
Education:
- Type the name of the Applicant’s current elementary school and select it from the list. If not found, select “Other School” and enter the school’s name.
Extracurricular:
- List any extracurricular activities or groups the applicant has been involved in over the past 2 years.
- List any leadership experiences the applicant has participated in over the past 2 years.
- List any organizations the applicant has been part of over the past 2 years.
- List any achievements the applicant has accomplished over the past 2 years.
Check also: BHAD Scholarships 2024: $1.7 Million Award Program
Essays: (Answers by the student)
Why do you want to be a Daniel Murphy Scholar?
Choose TWO of the following questions to answer (mention the “option number” before your response):
- Option 1: Describe your leadership abilities at home, at school, or in your community and your future leadership goals.
- Option 2: Explain why attending college is important to you and what you hope to achieve.
- Option 3: Discuss how your community has influenced you and your potential contributions to the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund community.
- Option 4: Share a personal experience of overcoming a challenge, setback, or failure and how it shaped you.
Financial Details:
Total Annual Income Range:
- $50,000 or Less
- $51,000 – $75,000
- $76,000 – $100,000
- $100,000 or More
Total Annual Household Income
I own/lease a car
Guardian 1 Job Status:
- Part Time
- Full Time
- Unemployed
Guardian 1 – Employer
Guardian 1 – Job Title
Guardian 1 – Annual Income
List any Additional Income
Upload Income Verification Document (e.g., Tax Return, W2, Social Security Statement, or Notarized Letter from Employer)
Recommendations:
- Two recommendations are required. Provide contact details for your Principal/Counselor and one Teacher (either 7th-grade Math or English Language Arts).
- Principal / Counselor – First Name
- Principal / Counselor – Last Name
- Principal / Counselor – Email
- Teacher Type (English Language Arts or Math)
- Teacher – First Name
- Teacher – Last Name
- Teacher – Email
Do you give permission for your student’s school to release school records?
Yes, I give permission to release my student’s school records.
Submit application?
Please note that once you submit the application, you cannot edit it further. Make sure you’ve included all the required information.
- Submit Application
Contact Information:
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund
Email: admissions@dmsf.org
Phone: 312-455-7800
Website: www.dmsf.org
