Project RISE Scholarship at Elmhurst University

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities, the Project RISE Scholarship at Elmhurst University in Illinois, USA, could be the opportunity you have been waiting for. This federally funded graduate scholarship covers a significant portion of your degree costs and comes with additional financial support, mentorship, and hands-on training in special education, speech-language pathology, or occupational therapy. It is not just a scholarship, it is a full professional development programme designed to shape skilled, compassionate practitioners.

Project RISE stands for Research-informed Interdisciplinary Scholar Preparation in Evidence-based Practices. The scholarship is backed by a five-year competitive federal grant (2026 to 2031) from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). It targets graduate students who are committed to serving school-age children with high-intensity disabilities through evidence-based, interdisciplinary practice.

This post will walk you through everything you need to know about Project RISE, from eligibility and benefits to how to apply, key deadlines, and tips to strengthen your application. Read on and find out if this is the right fit for you.

Scholarship Overview

Field	Information
Host Country	United States of America
Degree Level	Graduate (Master’s level)
Funding Type	Partial scholarship plus annual stipend (federally funded grant)
Deadline	January 15, 2028 (CSD and MOT) / April 1, 2028 (Special Education)
Who Can Apply	Applicants admitted to eligible graduate programmes at Elmhurst University
Benefits Summary	Significant tuition coverage plus $900 annual stipend for two years

Eligibility

To be considered for the Project RISE Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship: The scholarship is federally funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Eligibility for federally funded IDEA grants typically requires U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status. Please confirm directly with Elmhurst University’s Project RISE Coordinator.
• Academic qualifications: Applicants must first gain admission into one of the three qualifying graduate programmes at Elmhurst University: the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) through CSDCAS, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology through CSDCAS, or the Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Special Education through Elmhurst University’s own application portal.
• Work experience: While not strictly required, applicants are asked to demonstrate their interest in and experience with serving school-age children with disabilities. Practical or volunteer experience in relevant settings will strengthen your application.
• Language requirements: No specific language test requirement is mentioned in the available information. Since instruction is in English and the programme is based in the USA, proficiency in English is expected. Check with the university for any formal requirements.
• Service obligation: This is a key condition. For every academic year that scholars receive scholarship assistance, they must complete two years of full-time employment serving children with disabilities (directly or indirectly). This is a federal requirement tied to IDEA funding. Scholars who do not complete their service obligation may be required to repay part or all of the scholarship assistance received.
• Other requirements: Applicants must attend an interview with Project RISE programme directors. A demonstrated commitment to a professional career serving children with disabilities or developmental delays is essential.
  

Eligible Countries

Since Project RISE is funded through a U.S. federal grant under IDEA, eligibility for non-U.S. citizens is not clearly confirmed in the available information.

The scholarship may be restricted to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. Applicants from outside the United States should contact the Project RISE Coordinator at ProjectRISE@elmhurst.edu before applying to confirm whether international students are eligible.

Eligible Fields of Study

Project RISE is not open to all fields of study. It is specifically designed for students in the following three graduate programmes:

• Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT): Scholars will complete all AOTA/ACOTE standards required to sit for the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
• Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology: Scholars will meet all standards to apply for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Professional Educator License (PEL).
• Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Special Education: Scholars will complete requirements to apply for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) Endorsement, if they do not already hold it.

All three disciplines focus on serving students with high-intensity disabilities in school settings through evidence-based, interdisciplinary approaches.

Benefits

Project RISE offers a well-rounded package of financial and academic support:

• Tuition fees: The scholarship covers a significant portion of the scholar’s degree cost. The exact percentage or amount is not publicly stated. Contact the Project RISE Coordinator for the specific tuition coverage amount per programme.
• Living allowance / stipend: Scholars receive a yearly stipend of $900 for two years, totalling $1,800. This is intended to cover additional costs such as technology, books, professional organization fees, childcare, and transportation.
• Fieldwork and clinical training: Scholars gain hands-on experience through assignments in Elmhurst University’s on-campus Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, externships, the Field Analysis Project, and IEP Case Study work.
• Cohort collaboration and mentorship: Scholars move through their programme in a cohort of three to five scholars per discipline. They receive ongoing guidance, mentoring, and feedback throughout the programme, as well as access to interdisciplinary seminars featuring guest speakers and panelists.
• University support services: Scholars have access to Elmhurst University’s Learning Center, Student Accessibility Services, and Wellness Center and Counseling Services at no extra cost.
  

Required Documents

The following documents are typically required for the Project RISE application. Some items apply to the graduate programme application, and others to the Project RISE Scholar Application specifically.

1. Graduate programme application: Complete the standard admissions application for your chosen programme (via CSDCAS for CSD and OT, or directly through Elmhurst University for Special Education).
2. Project RISE Scholar Application form: A separate application where you provide federal grant reporting information and respond to specific prompts (see How to Apply).
3. Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, as required by the graduate programme admissions process.
4. Degree certificate(s): Documentation of any completed undergraduate or graduate degrees.
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume: Detailing your educational background, professional experience, and any work with children with disabilities.
6. Personal statement / essays: You will need to describe your interest and experience in serving school-age children with disabilities, your qualifications to serve students with disabilities and their families, and your commitment to a professional career in this field.
7. Interview participation: Candidates are required to interview with Project RISE programme directors. Interviews are scheduled from February through May.
   

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to give yourself the best chance of being selected as a Project RISE Scholar.

Step 1: Confirm your programme. Decide which of the three graduate programmes you want to pursue: Occupational Therapy (MOT), Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.), or Special Education (M.S.Ed.). Each has a separate application process and deadline.

Step 2: Check eligibility. Review all eligibility requirements, including citizenship status and the service obligation. If you have any doubts, contact the Project RISE Coordinator at ProjectRISE@elmhurst.edu before investing time in your application.

Step 3: Prepare for the graduate programme application. Gather all required documents for the graduate admissions process, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any standardised test scores required by your chosen programme.

Step 4: Apply to the graduate programme. Submit your graduate programme application through the correct portal. Use CSDCAS for Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or Occupational Therapy (OT), or apply directly through Elmhurst University for Special Education. Note the application deadlines for each programme.

Step 5: Complete the Project RISE Scholar Application. This is a separate application from the graduate programme application. You will provide information needed for federal grant reporting and write about your interest and experience serving school-age children with disabilities, the depth of your qualifications to serve students with disabilities and their families, and your commitment to a career serving children with disabilities or developmental delays to fulfil the two-year service obligation per year of funding received.

Step 6: Review the OSEP Service Obligation Agreement. Visit the OSEP Service Obligation Agreement website to understand exactly what the service requirement entails. Make sure you are genuinely committed to this before submitting your application.

Step 7: Prepare for your interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Project RISE programme directors between February and May. Prepare to discuss your interest in the programme, your qualifications, and your long-term professional commitment to serving children with disabilities.

Step 8: Attend the interview. Participate fully and honestly. Use this opportunity to ask any remaining questions about the programme, the scholarship, or the service obligation.

Step 9: Await notification. Accepted scholars will first receive confirmation of admission into the graduate programme. A separate notification about acceptance as a Project RISE Scholar will follow.

Step 10: Accept your place and begin preparation. If selected, confirm your acceptance and begin preparing for your first year of studies in the 2028 to 2029 academic year.

Key Dates and Timeline

Milestone	Date
Application Opens	Fall 2027
CSD and MOT Project RISE Application Deadline	January 15, 2028
Special Education Project RISE Application Deadline	April 1, 2028
Interviews	February through May
Shortlisting / Final Results	To be Determined
Programme Begins	2028 to 2029 Academic Year

Application Deadline

For CSD (Speech-Language Pathology) and Occupational Therapy applicants: the Project RISE Scholar Application deadline is January 15, 2028.

For Special Education applicants: the Project RISE Scholar Application deadline is April 1, 2028.

Applications submitted after the deadline will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

Project RISE is looking for more than just strong academic records. The selection process evaluates candidates across several dimensions:

• Interest and relevant experience: Applicants must demonstrate genuine interest in serving school-age children with disabilities. Prior experience working or volunteering in relevant settings is a strong advantage.
• Depth of qualifications: Reviewers assess how well-prepared an applicant is to serve students with disabilities and their families, both academically and practically.
• Professional commitment: Applicants must show a clear, credible commitment to a career serving children with disabilities or developmental delays. This is directly tied to the service obligation requirement and is taken seriously.
• Interdisciplinary orientation: Project RISE values collaboration across disciplines (occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and special education). Demonstrating openness to interdisciplinary teamwork is a plus.
• Interview performance: Your interview with programme directors is a key part of the evaluation. How clearly and honestly you communicate your goals, qualifications, and commitment will influence the final decision.
  

Important Tips

1. Apply to the graduate programme first. You cannot become a Project RISE Scholar without first being admitted into the corresponding graduate programme. Do not wait until the last minute to complete your graduate application.
2. Take the service obligation seriously. The requirement to work for two years per year of funding received is a legal obligation under federal law. Be certain you understand and can commit to it before applying.
3. Be specific in your scholar application essays. Vague statements about wanting to “help people” will not stand out. Use concrete examples from your experience with children with disabilities to demonstrate genuine commitment.
4. Contact the Project RISE Coordinator early. If you have any questions about eligibility (especially regarding citizenship or international status), reach out to ProjectRISE@elmhurst.edu well before the deadline.
5. Prepare thoroughly for your interview. Research Elmhurst University’s programmes, understand what data-based individualization (DBI) means, and be ready to discuss why you are drawn to interdisciplinary collaboration in special education settings.
6. Keep track of both deadlines. CSD/MOT applicants have a January 15, 2028 deadline, while Special Education applicants have until April 1, 2028. Mixing these up could cost you your application.
7. Use the stipend wisely. The $900 annual stipend is designed to cover incidentals such as books, technology, childcare, and transportation. Plan how you will use it at the start of each year to avoid financial stress mid-programme.
8. Lean into the cohort model. The cohort structure (three to five scholars per programme) is a strength of Project RISE. Building strong relationships with your cohort colleagues will enrich your learning and open doors for interdisciplinary practice after graduation.
9. Explore university support services early. Elmhurst University offers the Learning Center, Student Accessibility Services, and Wellness and Counseling Services. Connecting with these resources at the start of your programme, not only in times of stress, is a smart move.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be admitted to the graduate programme before applying for the Project RISE Scholarship? 

Yes. You must complete the regular graduate programme application and gain admission before you can be confirmed as a Project RISE Scholar. The Project RISE Scholar Application is separate and runs alongside the admissions process. Acceptance into the graduate programme happens first, followed by separate notification of scholarship status.

What exactly is the service obligation and what happens if I do not complete it? 

For each academic year you receive scholarship assistance under Project RISE, you are required to complete two years of full-time employment serving children with disabilities (directly or indirectly) after graduation. If you do not fulfil this obligation, you may be required to repay all or part of the scholarship funds you received. This is a federal requirement under IDEA.

Is the Project RISE Scholarship open to international students? 

This has not been confirmed in the available information. Because the scholarship is funded through a U.S. federal grant under IDEA, there may be citizenship or residency requirements. Contact the Project RISE Coordinator at ProjectRISE@elmhurst.edu to confirm your eligibility before applying.

How much of my tuition does the scholarship cover? 

The scholarship covers “a significant portion” of the degree cost, but the exact amount or percentage is not publicly stated. Contact Elmhurst University’s Project RISE Coordinator for programme-specific tuition coverage details.

What is the stipend for, and how much will I receive? 

Scholars receive a $900 stipend per year for two years, totalling $1,800. It is intended to help with additional costs during the programme such as technology, books, professional organisation fees, childcare, and transportation.

What happens during the interview? 

Shortlisted candidates will meet with Project RISE programme directors to discuss their interest in the programme, their qualifications, and their commitment to serving children with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to ask any remaining questions about the programme components and service requirements. Interviews are scheduled between February and May.

Can I apply for Project RISE if I already hold an LBS1 endorsement? 

Yes. Special Education scholars who already hold the Illinois State Board of Education LBS1 Endorsement are still eligible. The programme requirement is to complete the M.S.Ed. in Special Education and meet the requirements to apply for the endorsement. Holding it already does not disqualify you.

When will I find out if I have been accepted as a Project RISE Scholar? 

The timeline for final scholarship decisions is not publicly stated. You will first receive notification of admission into the graduate programme. A separate notification about your Project RISE Scholar status will follow. Contact ProjectRISE@elmhurst.edu for more specific timing information.

Official Link

For full details, the Project RISE Scholar Application, and to contact the Project RISE Coordinator, visit the official Elmhurst University Project RISE page:

https://www.elmhurst.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/grants/project-rise/

For questions, email: ProjectRISE@elmhurst.edu

For information about the OSEP Service Obligation, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s OSEP Service Obligation Agreement website.