COVID-19 & Admissions: Webinar Highlights and Resources

“Our flexibility during this time will make things better and make things bearable for students.” – Tonishea Terry-Jackson, Dean of Enrollment Management, Kennedy-King College

While Covid-19 continues to have broad impact on how institutions are operating and delivering education to current students, currently, most panelists said the pandemic has not had a significant impact on their institution’s admissions processes and timelines. Still key deadlines are being treated with fluidity as institutions explore how they can best serve admitted and prospective students in a virtual environment.

Moving Ever More Online, More Flexible
From Admitted Student Day at National Louis University, to financial aid counseling meetings at Arrupe College of Loyola University of Chicago, to Northeastern Illinois University’s freshman orientation sessions and summer bridge program — programs and services for admitted and prospective students are being shifted online. At National Louis, for example, admitted students and their families can visit YouTube for tutorials on navigating the student portal, understanding their award letter, and more.

Seeing the Silver Lining
The hope is that once institutions have adjusted to the disruption caused by COVID-19, leaders can take a step back and observe the opportunities created by this challenging time, said Dr. Carlos Gooden, Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Chicago State University. Practices that institutions traditionally have been unable or unwilling to do – well, now they are considering.

Resources Shared During Webinar
Strive Virtual College Exploration Week
Monday, April 20 – Thursday, April 23, 2020: 300+ colleges from 44 states and 10 countries. There will be 96 sessions over 4 days, and there will be day and evening options. The panel presentations cover a range of topics for juniors and underclassmen. It is free and open to students nationwide. Registration for students and parents is now live at www.strivescan.com/virtual.

IBHE, ICCB, ISBE Guidance
Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, and Illinois State Board of Education Dual Credit Guidance PDF.

Chicago State University
Chicago State’s April virtual open house is April 16, 2020. The first open house is 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the second open house is 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can learn more at https://csuopenhouse2020.com/.

City Colleges of Chicago
This April, the City Colleges of Chicago Board approved academic policy changes in light of the COVID-19 situation to provide some relief to students and help them complete their coursework in a timely fashion. Read the resolution here.

National Louis University – NLU Eagle Dream Scholarship
https://www.nl.edu/financialaid/financialaidresources/scholarships/undocumentedstudents/
The Eagle Dream Scholarship gives undocumented students who plan to enroll at NLU the chance to receive $5,000 per year to help fund their education.