CHICAGO, IL (November 9, 2015) — North Park University has joined the Chicago Star Partnership, a group of four-year colleges and universities that have committed to providing scholarships to select students following their graduation from a Chicago City College with an associate’s degree.

In its inaugural year, the Chicago Star Scholarship has enabled nearly 1,000 Chicago Public Schools graduates to pursue their degrees from City Colleges free of charge. The expansion of the Chicago Star Partnership will offer Star Scholars further opportunities to pursue a four-year degree at a significantly reduced cost.

“Most of the time, a high school diploma simply doesn’t cut it anymore,” said City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Cheryl Hyman, who graduated from North Park University in 2004 with a master’s degree in community development. “Not only can City Colleges of Chicago equip these high-achieving students with an associate degree at an affordable price, but these partnerships will significantly reduce the cost of attaining a bachelor’s degree that employers in many industries increasingly want to see on an applicant’s resume.”

North Park University is offering $5,000 per year for up to 20 students.

Some of the awards are merit-based and some are needs-based, but all are “last dollar” scholarships that may be applied in addition to other financial aid awards earned. Among the other 11 schools offering scholarships are the University of Chicago, Loyola University, and DePaul University.