Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that applications are now being accepted for the “CTA Elevating Futures Scholarship Fund”, an innovative program that provides a path for economically disadvantaged youth to pursue education and careers in construction and engineering. Created in partnership with the Walsh-Fluor Design-Build team — the contractor for CTA’s historic $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project — the scholarship program provides aid to students who plan to pursue four-year degrees in construction management, civil engineering, industrial engineering or systems engineering. The unique program provides $5,500 per year for four years, mentoring support and guidance in career development opportunities. To date, eight students from across the city of Chicago, including the Back of the Yards, Bridgeport, Hegewisch, Humboldt Park, Portage Park, Rogers Park, and Austin neighborhoods, have received scholarships from the “CTA Elevating Futures Scholarship Fund,” which is administered by Chicago Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to college access, and college-success leadership development for first-generation and low-income students in Chicago. This will be the fourth and final round of this scholarship. Applications are due March 1, 2023.  For more information about this program, visit CTA’s website at transitchicago.com/rpm/workforce-opportunities or Chicago Scholars’ website at http://chicagoscholars.org/elevatingfutures