DePaul Harold Washington Academy

The DePaul Harold Washington Academy (DHWA) will enable select CPS Star Scholars to complete an associate degree offered by Harold Washington College on DePaul’s Loop Campus. While working on their associate degree, Academy students will have access to many DePaul services, including tutoring, career counseling, financial literacy, the libraries, and student organizations.

Upon successful completion of their associate degree, these students are considered for admission to DePaul. Our hope is that Academy students will be able to make a seamless transition to the next step in their college career with no debt and be well on their way to earning a DePaul bachelor’s degree.

The Academy is open to students eligible for admission to associate degree programs at Harold Washington College. Preference will be given to those students eligible to receive the Chicago Star Scholarship.

Any interested student must apply to DePaul University as a freshman. DePaul will then identify and notify candidates for the DePaul Harold Washington Academy. Students must also apply to Harold Washington College and apply for the Star Scholar Program.

Let us know you’re interested by filling out this interest form.

As a Star Scholar at Harold Washington College, tuition for the first two years is free. DePaul University guarantees admission to students who successfully complete an associate degree and wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree at DePaul. Students who transfer to DePaul will be eligible for state, federal and institutional financial aid to complete their degrees.

No. DePaul Harold Washington Academy students are Harold Washington College students, but they attend classes on DePaul’s campus in the Loop and have access to many of the same resources as all DePaul students.

Not at this time.

This initiative is for students interested in earning a degree from DePaul University but who are seeking an alternate path to a degree based on their educational preparation or financial situation. The DePaul Harold Washington Academy courses are taught by Harold Washington College faculty and the associate degrees earned are awarded by Harold Washington College and the City Colleges of Chicago.

Once a student completes the associate degree and becomes a DePaul transfer student, they will be taught by DePaul faculty, and when they complete the bachelor’s degree, it will be from DePaul University. The program combines the best of both Harold Washington College and DePaul University, and allows students to take advantage of all that the institutions offer.

One great advantage is the lower cost of attendance—tuition is free at City Colleges for Star Scholars. In addition, DePaul Harold Washington Academy students receive access to DePaul’s campus network, libraries, facilities, recreation center, athletic events, campus services, campus events and can participate in student organizations. In many ways, this is intended to be a seamless experience. DHWA students will be able to participate in the social and cultural communities at DePaul while enrolling at Harold Washington.

Students in the Academy who successfully complete an associate degree and who are in good standing at the Academy will be admitted to DePaul as degree-seeking undergraduate students.

Although admission of such students is guaranteed, applicants must complete all requirements for admission to their intended college, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum grade point average requirements or satisfactory performance or talent auditions, for example in DePaul’s School of Music or The Theatre School programs. (Admission to DePaul’s School of Music or The Theatre School is extremely competitive; few credits will transfer and apply to these degrees.)

DHWA graduates can transfer into any DePaul University college, but some programs may offer a more seamless transfer (see above.) Students can work with academic advisers on class selection to help ensure the transition to DePaul is seamless.

No. There is no obligation to apply to or attend DePaul, although students who want to do so will find that the process is streamlined.

DHWA graduates will be eligible for all DePaul financial aid and may be eligible for state and federal aid.

The DePaul Admission Partnership Program (DAPP) is a transfer preparation program designed for students beginning their college education at several community colleges in Illinois.

In DAPP students complete their associate degree coursework at their respective community colleges. The DePaul Harold Washington Academy is a special collaboration for only select Chicago Star Scholar students to complete an associate degree offered by Harold Washington College on DePaul’s Loop Campus.

DHWA students are enrolled as students of Harold Washington College and are eligible for all of the resources, benefits and programs offered to Harold Washington College students by the Chicago City Colleges. When they graduate in two years, their associate degree is conferred by Harold Washington College. While enrolled in the DHWA program, students will also have access to many DePaul services (see first FAQ answer).