CEST was established in 2013, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Chicago's To Teach Who Christ Is capital campaign. Phoenix Scholarships are awarded based on the recommendations of the Scholarship Delegation Committee to families who demonstrate financial need among other criteria defined by the board. The scholarships are provided to eligible students in grades K-12 in Catholic schools throughout Cook County and Lake County. Qualified students can apply for these renewable awards that follow the child should they transfer to another Catholic school within the archdiocese.Phoenix Scholarships include those funded and designated by six specific endowments. Each of these six endowments, established in partnership with Catholic Education Scholarship Trust donors, funds Phoenix Scholarships within criteria dictated by donor requirements. Phoenix Scholarships are awarded each year to eligible students meeting the specific criteria of each endowment.