Scholarships

The Traffic Club of Chicago is proud to offer scholarship opportunities!

We would like to take a moment to thank those who have made a donation to the TCC Scholarship Fund over the last year. We would not be able to distribute these awards without your support! 

The tentative schedule for the application & distribution of awards is as follows:

Begin accepting applications: August 26, 2025

Application deadline:  April 18, 2025

Winners announced: May/ June 2025

Scholarship awards will be distributed at the following levels:

  • George Baima Award – 1 @ $5,000
  • Tom Mitropoulos Award – 1 @ $5,000
  • Dan Wallace Award – 1 @ $2,500
  • Other Scholarship Awards – 1 @ $2,500, and 8 @ $1,250

Apply Here

In memory of George Baima

A cherished friend and colleague, George Baima, passed away on December 6, 2013. Mr. Baima was a member of the Traffic Club of Chicago for over 30 years and served as president in 1995. George was also a member and chair on numerous club committees, including the Scholarship Committee that he so strongly supported.

If you wish to honor George with a gift, the Baima family asks that donations in his memory be made to the Traffic Club of Chicago Scholarship Fund. To make a donation, please call the club offices at (630)529-1333 or send an email to staff@traffic-club.org.

In memory of Tom Mitropoulos
In November of 2015, we lost a long time Traffic Club member and friend, Tom Mitropoulos. Mr. Mitropoulos joined the Traffic Club of Chicago in 1969, and was a very active member until the time of his passing. He held the position of Traffic Club President in 1994. Tom worked for Fairmount Minerals for many years, retiring recently.

Many members of the Club may recall receiving a phone call from Mr. Mitropoulos in past years regarding the Annual Dinner. He had a passion for promoting the event, and making sure the club profited enough to support the Scholarship Fund. Mr. Mitropoulos also served as a member of the Scholarship Committee for many years. To honor Mr. Mitropoulos' commitment to the Scholarship Fund, the Board of Directors created the Tom Mitropoulos Scholarship Award.

In memory of Dan Wallace 
In April of 2020, the Traffic Club of Chicago lost a cherished friend and colleague Dan Wallace. Dan joined TCC in 2017 and shortly after jumped right in to chair the Sponsorship Committee. He was always willing to help in any way he could, and with is efforts TCC was able to raise and distribute $20,000 in scholarships that year. To honor Dan and his committment to TCC and the Scholarship Fund, the Board of Directors created the Dan Wallace Scholarship Award. 

Donate to the Scholarship Program Today!

Scholarship awards are to be used to pay a qualified educational organization for qualified educational expenses, as described in IRS Publication 970.  If used otherwise, the scholarship award may be considered taxable.  Please consult your tax advisor for more information.