Nazareth partners with Chicago Scholars program to offer direct admission to eligible first-generation college students
Nazareth University is announcing a new, first-of-its-kind partnership with Chicago Scholars — offering direct admission to eligible students in the renowned organization that supports academically ambitious, first-generation college-going students who live and attend high school in Chicago.
For 28 years, Chicago Scholars has transformed the lives of more than 6,000 students across Chicago. The program provides workshops, college counseling, mentorship, career services, and more to their scholars, who are accepted into the program at the end of 11th grade and stay until their first job after college — typically a seven-year commitment. 500-600 students are accepted as Chicago Scholars each year. The program centers racial justice, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion (READI) in all that they do to bring success to their students.
Nazareth University is leading the way by becoming the first partner institution to offer direct admission to Chicago Scholars — meaning any high school Scholars who apply to Nazareth and meet the academic requirements are automatically accepted. Nazareth is committed to awarding scholarships up to $23,000 annually ($92,000 total) to Chicago Scholars who choose to attend the University.
“Partnering with Chicago Scholars is a perfect fit for Nazareth since we constantly strive to admit and support first-generation, and underrepresented students. Just this year, Nazareth applications from first-gen students are up 30%,” said Christie Smith, Nazareth University’s Associate Vice President of University Admissions and Enrollment. “Nazareth provides strong academic support for our students, and we know that Chicago Scholars can thrive at Nazareth University.
“It's so important to remove systemic barriers to college through innovations like this direct admissions partnership with Nazareth University. For many years, we've seen that Scholars who go to out-of-state colleges thrive, so it's wonderful to make that option more accessible,” said Chicago Scholars CEO Jeffery Beckham, Jr. “It's also amazing to encourage Scholars to explore smaller, private colleges they may not have considered before. I'm hopeful that many Scholars will find that Nazareth is a perfect fit for them.”
Chicago Scholars is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership development organization that empowers academically ambitious first-generation or low-income students to overcome systemic barriers to success in college and beyond while preparing the city’s businesses and organizations for the next generation of leaders. In addition to providing college access services, Chicago Scholars also provides its Scholars with opportunities for paid internships, college counseling, and job placement, allowing them to grow into future city leaders.
For More Information
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
