Mayor Emanuel and City Colleges of Chicago today announced that the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) has joined on to become a Star Scholarship transfer partner. There are now 25 four-year colleges and universities giving Star Scholars additional scholarships towards completion of their bachelor’s degrees.

“The Star Scholarship helps thousands of hardworking Chicago students access a college education no matter their financial means or background,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The Chicago School of Professional Psychology joins the growing list of higher education institutions to see the value in Chicago’s students and help them achieve the successful futures they deserve.”

TCSPP will provide transfer students with $2,500 in scholarship funds over the course of two years to complete a bachelor’s degree. TCSPP students can pursue bachelor's degree programs in addiction studies, human resources or general studies. Students are also prepared to pursue masters and doctoral programs. 

“Our University began in Chicago 40 years ago and we are thrilled to mark this anniversary with a new partnership with City Colleges that will give students access to a bachelor’s completion program in this most wonderful city,” said TCSPP President Dr. Michele Nealon.  “The Chicago School has seen such tremendous growth and change since we began in 1979.  CCC students will be joining a university that now has more than 20 degree programs, serves more than 4,700 students from 48 countries and a community of close to 10,000 alumni.”

More than 675 Star Scholars have already transferred to more than 75 four-year colleges and universities. More than 500 of those students have gone on to attend one of the Star Scholarship transfer partner schools, where they have earned more than $3.1 million in scholarship offers.

“Four year universities and colleges are making a special effort to recruit Chicago’s Star Scholars,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado.  “They recognize these students have worked hard in high school and at City Colleges and are on the path to further academic and professional success.“

To ensure more students can access a viable pathway to college, Mayor Emanuel created the Star Scholarship in Fall 2015, providing CPS students with an opportunity to pursue a degree or certificate at City Colleges at no cost. More than 6,000 students have been named Star Scholars since the program launched. Star Scholars have a retention rate of 86 percent, nearly double the average at City Colleges. Nearly 50 percent of first-time, full-time Star Scholars who started at City Colleges in 2015 graduated within three years.

Students are eligible for the Star Scholarship if they have graduated from a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school with a 3.0 GPA and test nearly college-ready in math and English, and enroll in a city Colleges structured, relevant pathway.

In addition to TCSPP, City Colleges has Star Scholarship transfer partnerships with 24 4-year colleges and universities, including: University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia College, DePaul University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, Governors State University, Illinois Tech, Illinois State University, Kendall College, Loyola University, Marquette University, National Louis University, North Park University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Robert Morris University, Roosevelt University, Saint Xavier University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Chicago State University, Florida Memorial University, Stillman College, and University of Chicago. CME Group, the Star program's first corporate partner has provided students with 50 $5,000 scholarships and connected CCC students with paid summer internships at elite trading firms.

To learn more about the Star Scholarship, go to www.ccc.edu/starscholarship.

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private school devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral health sciences. The Chicago School is an affiliate of TCS, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. The institution serves approximately 4,300 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego); Washington, D.C., and Dallas, as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles are accredited by the American Psychological Association. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology and behavioral health education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.