Home | Rise Scholars | Chicago State University

What is Rise Academy

Rise is a full-tuition and fees scholarship program that provides financial, academic and personal support for eligible first year and transfer students with less than 24 credits. The Rise Academy allows students to:

Test-drive your first CSU course
Maximize college resources
Take a closer look into your career of choice
Establish vital relationships with faculty and staff

Essentially, the Rise Academy helps students build the confidence and skills needed for a successful fall semester and first-year in college!

Student Benefits

icon The Rise Scholarship covers full-tuition and fees for your first-year at CSU after applying all financial aid awards for the 2021-2022 academic year (*)

icon Free loan of a university laptop for all four undergraduate years including internet access for the first/freshman year of study at CSU (**)

icon Textbook vouchers to eliminate and/or reduce the cost of textbooks

icon Advisors, workshops & resources to guide and support your progress while studying at CSU

icon Campus health-care plan

(*) The Rise Scholarship is a tuition-only scholarship and does not cover room & board expenses. However, if a student qualifies for a Pell or MAP grant, those funds may be able to be used for room & board expenses.

(**) University laptops must be picked-up on campus.

How Do I Become a Rise Scholar?

If you have not already done so, you will first need to apply to Chicago State University:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Note: Make sure to include Chicago State University as one of your college choices.
Complete the Rise Application & Profile

Date	Event
Oct 4	Rise Application & Profile Deadline
Oct 11	Application to CSU Deadline
Oct 11	Mandatory RISE Orientation
Oct 18	Fall RISE Academy Begins

rise banner The Rise Academy starts with a 5-week program and continues throughout the academic year with comprehensive student support and services. The summer program includes instruction and workshops from Monday - Friday, approximately from 9am to 1:30pm.

rise cohorts

Rise Scholars FAQ

Q: Who is eligible?

A: All incoming full-time freshmen students, including transfer students with less than 24 credit hours, who apply and are admitted to Chicago State University and, complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible. Students must successfully complete the first five-weeks of the Rise Academy program over the summer in order to be eligible to receive the tuition scholarship

Q: What is considered full-time enrollment?

A: 12 or more credit hours in both the fall and spring semesters.

Q: How do I sign up?

A: First apply for admissions. Then upon admission, our admissions team will help you sign up for Rise Academy.

Q: What is the Rise Academy?

A: Rise Academy is a first-year experience program that starts in the summer or fall with an introductory five-week college course, support workshops, targeted advising and continues with holistic student support throughout the academic year.

In the Rise Academy, you will participate in workshops, build relationships with classmates, explore career options and learn the “ins and outs” of college life.

Q: What is the time commitment of Rise Academy?

A: Rise Academy starts with a five-week summer course, targeted advising and, continues with holistic student support throughout the academic year. The summer part of the program runs for 5 weeks from Monday through Friday, approximately 8am to 2pm.

Q: What are the financial benefits?

A: Students who successfully complete the Rise Academy program will receive:

The Rise Scholarship which covers full-tuition and fees for your first-year at CSU after applying all financial aid awards for the 2021-2022 academic year (*).
Free loan of a university laptop for all four undergraduate years including internet access for the first/freshman year of study at CSU (**).
Textbook vouchers to eliminate and/or reduce the cost of textbooks.
Advisors, workshops & resources to guide and support your progress while studying at CSU.
Campus health-care plan.

(*) The Rise Scholarship is a tuition-only scholarship and does not cover room & board expenses. However, if a student qualifies for a Pell or MAP grant, those funds may be able to be used for room & board expenses. (**) University laptops must be picked-up on campus.

Q: Will Rise Academy take place on campus or in an e-learning format?

A: The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff continue to be priorities for us during this unprecedented time. Chicago State has remained open and fully operational throughout the pandemic. This fall, CSU is fully open with safety precautions in line with the latest public health guidance. You can learn more by visiting our COVID-19 page.

Q: How can I learn more?

A: You can contact the program director, Ms. Cano-Kraft with any questions ekraft20@csu.edu

For additional questions about the Rise Academy, please feel free to contact the program director at ekraft20@csu.edu.

To support scholars in the Rise Academy, consider making a gift to the 1stGEN Rise Scholarship Fund today.