Maleiha Carino Scholarship
Explore the scholarship process, review past recipients, and meet the selection committee who help select awardees.
“Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth it.”
Maleiha Carino was a student of MHS during 2010 - 2014. She was diagnosed with childhood leukemia in 2011. She overcame all the odds and managed to graduate in 2014. She was set to attend her freshmen year at UIC. In the Summer of 2014, Maleiha battled her last battle and was laid to rest.
This scholarship is meant to commemorate the life of Maleiha Carino. This scholarship will assist a Mather Senior seeking higher education in a 4-year university or 2-year college. The student will be granted a one-time academic scholarship between $750. This scholarship will be given directly to the financial aid office of the student’s university or college.
Scholarship Process
Requirements
- Open to all Mather seniors
- Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Must be accepted and committed to a 2-year or 4-year college by the time of being awarded
- Minimum 500 words
- Must be reviewed by an English Teacher
Prompt
Think about a specific space within Mather, your neighborhood, or the community that has been a critical backdrop to your growth. How did the events that took place there, the people you encountered, or simply the time you spent in this specific spot influence your perspective, your goals, or your commitment to serving your community?
Important Deadlines
- Applications open: November 18, 2025
- Submission deadline: Janaury 31, 2026
- Interviews begin: April 11-12, 2026
- Winner announced: June 2, 2026
Recent Honorees
2026Aniqa Kashif
Malcolm X College / Pre-Med
My ultimate goal is to become a surgeon — and to show the world that with determination, hard work, and the right intentions, no obstacle is insurmountable.
2025Nattapak Chankaew
UIC / Pre-Pharmacy
Passionate about healthcare equity and dreams of launching her own nonprofit to provide free prescription medicine to those in need.
2024Nguyen Dang
UIC / Pre-Nursing
Dedicated to pursuing a career in nursing to provide compassionate care to underserved communities.
2023Nuraga Rajaie
Bates College / Biology
Aspires to become an orthodontist and help people achieve the smile they deserve, and ultimately, find happiness in their lives.
2022Lana Quach
Northwestern University / Psych, HCI, & Design
Passionate about leveraging technology for social good and community development.
Meet Our Selection Committee
Ahmed Syed
Strategy and Operations @ Deel
Andrea Rivera
Key Carrying Pricing and Signage Lead @ DICKS Sporting Goods
Brigitte Cariño Cueter
Associate Product Manager @ Medline
Dambi Son
Internal Auditor @ Woodward
Jasr Carino
Board Member @ MCF
Karl Carino
Project Manager @ Waikato Enterprises, Inc.
Linh Lieu
Registered Nurse
Mierel Rehich, MA
Counseling & Student Affairs Advisor @ East-West University Chicago
Mohammed Ali
Project Manager @ CDW
Syed Hassan
Mechanical Engineer III at DCS
Zade Kurdieh, DO
Resident Physician, Vice President at Maleiha Carino Foundation
Zeeshan Shaheen
Senior Sales Executive @ Antylia Scientific
Lana Quach
Senior @ Northwestern University
Maryam Asif
Senior Business Analyst @ Bank of America