CME Group Invests $125,000 to Support Chicago City College Graduates

CME Group's Commitment to Education

On May 29, 2025, CME Group, recognized globally as a leader in the derivatives marketplace, announced a generous scholarship initiative aimed at empowering graduates from City Colleges of Chicago. In the latest effort, 25 star scholars were awarded scholarships of $5,000 each, totaling $125,000, to support their pursuit of Bachelor’s degrees in various fields of study. This initiative not only helps ease the financial constraints these graduates may face, but also demonstrates CME Group's ongoing commitment to supporting education and fostering future leaders in Chicago.

Since the partnership began in 2017, CME Group has invested over $1 million into the Star Scholars program, transitioning from its historic Mayoral Award for Student Achievement established in 1986. This earlier initiative had been transformative for many Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students, providing crucial financial support to those who excel academically and aspire to attend college.

CME Group’s Chairman and CEO, Terry Duffy, expressed his pride in the scholars, stating, "We are pleased to recognize the academic achievements of the Star Scholars as they continue to work hard to pursue higher education. These scholarships provide critical financial assistance to future Chicago leaders so they can explore learning opportunities that can help lead to rewarding careers."

Chancellor Juan Salgado of City Colleges of Chicago expressed his gratitude, noting that these scholarships significantly reduce the financial burdens these students face as they transition from community college to four-year institutions. "Our Star Scholars will use this scholarship to ease the financial burden of a bachelor's degree along their pathway to upward mobility," said Salgado.

This year's scholarship recipients were selected from a robust pool of over 380 Star Scholars who successfully completed their associate degrees during the spring of 2025, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Importantly, every scholarship recipient intends to enroll in one of the 26 partner universities in the fall, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey.

The celebratory luncheon held at CME Group's headquarters on the day of the announcement was attended by notable figures including CME Group's President and CFO, Lynne Fitzpatrick, and Deputy Mayor for Education and Youth, Khari Humphries. They took part in honoring the hard work and achievements of the students, whose educational pursuits are pivotal for their future success.

Since its inception, the Star Scholarship program has significantly impacted the community, allowing approximately 20,000 graduates from CPS and the Big Shoulders Fund to pursue their associate degrees debt-free. In the academic year of 2024-2025 alone, more than 1,000 Star Scholars completed their associate degrees, representing over 25% of the graduating class for that year.

For those seeking more information about the Star Scholarship program at City Colleges of Chicago, additional details can be found at www.ccc.edu/starscholarship.

CME Group continues to provide global benchmark products across various major asset classes and remains committed to supporting education and community initiatives that cultivate leaders and innovators for the future.