IIT Partners with South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium to Create Degree Opportunities for Students
Special partnership provides options for community college students seeking four-year degrees
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is pleased to announce a special program providing new opportunities for community college students to earn four-year degrees from the university. Beginning in fall 2009, IIT, a long-time member of the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC), will work with other SMHEC institutions to provide an accelerated admission process, and scholarship and financial aid opportunities to students currently enrolled in partner community colleges.
“IIT’s unique partnership with area community colleges provides students with strong and developed pathway programs to support their academic goals,” said IIT Vice Provost of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Gerald P. Doyle. “We look forward to strengthening our relationships with all of the SMHEC institutions as part of our consortium-wide commitment to the entire Chicagoland community and the academic success of all students.”
The development of a comprehensive recruitment and transition program at IIT allows the presidents, faculty, and senior leadership at area community colleges including Kankakee, Moraine Valley, South Suburban, Prairie State, and Joliet Junior College to identify and recommend highly qualified students for transfer to IIT. Through this partnership, IIT will enhance its orientation and academic advising programs for these students and at the request of a partner community college, also provide one-stop admission and review sessions at each SMHEC school.
Merit scholarships will be available for transfer students, including Transfer Scholarships of up to $12,000 per year, International Scholarships of up to $12,000 per year, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships of $5,000 per year, and University Scholarships of $2,500 per year for students who participated in honors colleges at SMHEC institutions. Additionally, a number of Undergraduate Research Summer Scholarships with a $5,000 stipend have been reserved for SMHEC community college students. Federal and state financial aid is also available to qualifying transfer students.
The addition of a new Metra Rock Island line stop at 35th and Federal Sts., scheduled to open in fall 2010, will provide convenient access to IIT from the south and southwest suburbs for commuting students.
The IIT community is committed to the continued partnership with presidents and faculty at each of the SMHEC institutions on several initiatives, including an annual symposium of Illinois community colleges, to celebrate the achievements of local students in the areas of research, scholarship, leadership and service.
For more information about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Ryan Nelson, Assistant Director of Admission & Transfer Coordinator at (312) 567-3025 or nelson@iit.edu.
Additional information about SMHEC is available at http://www.southmetroed.org.
Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting university with more than 7,300 students in engineering, sciences, architecture, psychology, design, humanities, business and law. IIT's interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum is designed to advance knowledge through research and scholarship, to cultivate invention improving the human condition, and to prepare students from throughout the world for a life of professional achievement, service to society, and individual fulfillment. Visit www.iit.edu.
