Oakton students can transfer to the Northwestern School of Professional Studies (SPS) through the Early Admission Transfer Program.
Benefits
Apply for Early Transfer Admission to the School of Professional Studies (SPS.), which allows SPS to review your current academic progress and records while you are still completing your degree at Oakton.
If accepted, you will receive a "conditional" admission decision, pending successful Oakton A.A. or A.S. degree completion and adhering to all relevant policies of student conduct.
After full admission, you can enroll in classes as early as the first quarter after graduating from Oakton.
Can work with an SPS enrollment advisor and your Oakton academic advisor to create an individualized plan.
Can attend special events and workshops, speak with current Northwestern SPS students, and meet with different departments.
Could be eligible for Northwestern University and SPS scholarship opportunities.
May choose from any of the following undergraduate majors:
be a high school graduate (via high school diploma or GED)
complete a minimum of 24 transferable semester credit hours
maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher on all transferable Oakton courses and all colleges/university prior to Oakton.
remain in good academic standing and in compliance with Oakton and Northwestern University standards of student conduct.
Special Notes
This agreement is for students interested in programs offered through the Northwestern School of Professional Studies (SPS) and does not grant admission into the Northwestern University.
Oakton students who do not meet early admission requirements may still apply for regular admission.
No more than 60 semester hours (22.5 units), or half of graduation requirements, may be accepted as transfer credits.
Transfer credit is awarded for courses passed with a grade of C or better.
Northwestern University SPS Undergraduate Scholarships provide financial assistance to eligible students pursuing their degrees.
Application Deadline:
For scholarships beginning in the fall term, the deadline is September 1. If you're admitted after the fall term or satisfy admission requirements after this date, a second spring application cycle opens, with materials due by March 1.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for SPS undergraduate scholarships, a student must:
Have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Fulfill any specified admission requirements (e.g., readmission stipulations or performance-based criteria).
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the University Aid Application.
Submit a completed SPS Scholarship Application, including a personal essay.
Obtain a recent academic recommendation using the SPS Recommendation form, submitted from the recommender's university email account.
Types of Scholarships
Undergraduate Transfer Student Scholarship:
Available to outstanding transfer applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from previously attended institutions.
Requires demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA and the Northwestern University Aid Application.
Offers a one-time tuition grant for up to three courses at SPS, based on available funds.
Undergraduate Continuing Student Scholarship:
Open to current SPS degree-seeking students who have completed at least four SPS courses.
Requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at SPS
Requires demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA and the Northwestern University Aid Application.
Application Process
Both the scholarship application and recommendation forms are fillable PDF documents.
Obtain a recent academic recommendation from an instructor, who should submit the form from their university email account to spsscholarships@northwestern.edu.
Application Assessment
Scholarship application assessment is based on need (as determined by the FAFSA and the Northwestern University Aid Application), academic merit, time to program completion, personal essay, academic recommendation, as well as scholarship specifications and available funds.
Preference is given to students who have not previously received a scholarship.
Scholarships require annual application and are not guaranteed; awards are dependent on funds available, the size of the application pool, and application assessment criteria.
Note: All award recipients should schedule a meeting with the Northwestern Chicago Office of Financial Aid to discuss the impact of the award on aid and debt levels.
If you have not decided on a major, you may participate by identifying yourself as an "undeclared major". Your degree requirements will not be established until your major is declared.
Refer to the list above to determine what majors are part of this program.
An SPS enrollment advisor will reach out to schedule an appointment.
Submit your Northwestern application after completing 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours of college level credit.
However, if you do start participation later in your college experience, Northwestern will work with you to find a pathway that makes sense for you.
Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by logging into the online Self Service Center portal.
