Columbia Central

Mittie, Moselynne and Dempsey J. Travis Scholarship

For incoming and continuing undergraduate students

The Mittie, Moselynne and Dempsey J. Travis Scholarship was established to recognize the exceptional academic achievement of students who reside in the City of Chicago.

• How to be Considered
  Eligible students are automatically reviewed and selected candidates are invited to apply for consideration through their Columbia Connect Status Page.
• About Dempsey J. Travis

  Dempsey J. Travis (1920-2009) was born and raised in Chicago. He was a real estate magnate, civil rights activist, jazz musician, and author. He is the author of Views from the Back of the Bus and An Autobiography of Black Jazz, among many other books. He served as president of the Society of Midland Authors, as financial editor for Dollars and Sense magazine, and as a contributing writer to Ebony and The Black Scholar. Dempsey Travis loved Chicago, art and culture - particularly jazz music - and he had a deep commitment to civil rights and social justice. He also had a strong connection to Columbia College Chicago. This award will encapsulate, in a powerful and public way, Dempsey Travis' beliefs and values.

• Scholarship Terms
  • The Travis Scholarship may be renewable for up to four years, provided the Travis Foundation decides to donate money to fund the program each year. For the scholarship to be renewable, the recipient must:
    • Be enrolled full-time each Fall and Spring semester;
    • Not interrupt enrollment;
    • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average;
    • Participate in thanking the donor(s) each year before funds are disbursed;
    • Continue to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and this application demonstrates continued financial need;
    • Submit any missing documents that are required to secure financial aid by the deadlines provided by Columbia Central;
    • Participate in the Travis Scholars Program through Student Diversity and Inclusion during the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Scholarship amount is up to $15,000 per academic year, awarded half in Fall and half in Spring semesters only; scholarships do not apply to Summer semesters;
  • Students who interrupt their enrollment or enroll less than full-time will forfeit any remaining scholarship funds;
  • Scholarship is applied toward tuition only;
  • Students’ scholarships that are applied toward tuition may not exceed the amount of their tuition costs;
  • Recipients will be asked to participate in thanking the donor(s) before funds are disbursed;
  • The Travis Scholarship may replace recipients' renewable Columbia scholarships up to $15,000 per academic year. If the Foundation does not fund the Travis Scholarship in a subsequent year, recipients' Columbia scholarships will be reinstated, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements;
  • Recipients must participate in the Travis Scholars program through Student Diversity and Inclusion during the Fall and Spring semesters. Students are asked to read an assigned book authored by Dempsey J. Travis and prepare to discuss the work;
  • Scholarships awarded to incoming students are based on academic and financial need information provided to the college at the time of admission. Any subsequent, additional, or clarifying data that significantly alters this information may make a recipient ineligible to receive this scholarship;
  • Scholarship may be used toward a study abroad program through one of Columbia's student exchange programs. Please note: Recipients who enroll in an independent study abroad program will forfeit their scholarship during the semester spent abroad;
  • The rules governing other sources of financial aid (federal, state, institutional and other grants, gifts, or loans) will apply.

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