September 2022
In This Issue: Student Spotlight Page 2 Meet the new Fall 2022 DDP cohort! Important Reminders Pages 3-6 Spring 2023 scholarship deadline is approaching! Save the Dates Page 7-8 Director's Corner Page 9
DDP NEWSLETTER
STUDENT Spotlight
Nataly Acosta (CCC-DA) Tia Anderson (SSC) Laila Atra-Yassin (JJC) Brenda Banuelos (SSC) Bibiana Benitez (CCC-DA) Ramus Berryhill (MVCC) Tiffany Bisping (KCC) Alison Borschnack (KCC) Daniel Budds (JJC) Nadia Butler (KCC) Krystal Dettloff (KCC) Sierrah Dewberry (PSC) Jasmine Dunson (PSC)
Deborah Smyles (PSC) Fnu Sohaiba (JJC) Anthony Strickland (CCC-HW) Dana Sulieman (MVCC) Janice Taylor (PSC) Jasmine Thompson (COD) De Vonte Turner (PSC) Edgar Vargas (SSC) Viridiana Velazquez (PSC) David White (PSC) Daysia Williamson (PSC)
Mia Gasperini (KCC) Kimberly Gonzalez (CCC-KK) Jason Gonzalez (JJC) Darrell Hipple (KCC) Sonya Hoard (PSC) Desiree Horton (Triton) Emma Hoskins (KCC) Mohammed Husein (MVCC) Lamaya Jackson (MVCC) Nina Jackson (WCC) Mayra Kaladi (MVCC) Urooj Khan (JJC) Anyi Leon (PSC)
Monica Mayorga (CCC-MX) Heather Mcgarvey (WCC) Melek Mohamad (PSC) Laiyle Muhsen (CCC-WW) Liliana Munoz (CCC-HW) Kaitlyn Murphy (PSC) Alaina Parsons (CCC-MX) Jill Patel (MVCC) Vanessa Perkins (PSC) Cynthia Renteria (CCC-HW) Angel Rivera (Morton) Nathan Rodriguez (JJC) Gerome Smith (SSC)
welcome the new ddp transfer students to GSU! Congratulations to all of our students who graduated from their community college and transferred to GSU this summer or fall semester. We are excited to be welcoming 50 new students to Governors State University, and 11 are DDP scholarship recipients!
The GSU Promise Scholarship is a competitive scholarship for DDP students who receive the Federal Pell Grant and have at least a 2.75 GPA. It covers full tuition and fees at GSU for up to four semesters at GSU (excluding summers). The DDP Honors Scholarship is a competitive scholarship for DDP students who are current members of their community college Honors Program or chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and have at least a 3.5 GPA. It covers full tuition and fees at GSU for up to four semesters (excluding summers). DDP students at the City Colleges of Chicago may also be eligible for the DDP Chicago STAR Scholars Scholarship. It is open to DDP students who are enrolled in the Chicago STAR Scholars program, are active members of CCC’s Honors Program or chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and have a 3.50 GPA or above. There are two (2) scholarship categories; see the DDP Scholarship Application for more details. Undocumented students eligible to complete the ISAC Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid are welcome to apply! Links to the DDP Scholarship Application and DDP Recommendation Forms can be found on the DDP Scholarships website. Again, application materials are due on Thursday, October 6, 2022!
Important Reminders
spring 2023 Scholarships DUE DATE APPROACHING! Thursday, October 6th Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GSU in Spring 2023, make sure to apply for the GSU Promise Scholarship, DDP Honors Scholarship, and/or the DDP Chicago STAR Scholars Scholarships this semester! These scholarships are only available to DDP students. Students who qualify for multiple awards are encouraged to apply for all they are eligible to (if chosen by multiple committees, the recipient will have final choice of award.)
The 2023-2024 fafsa opens october 1st! Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to maximize financial aid opportunities including the Illinois MAP grant. What’s required? FSA ID to sign electronically Your Social Security Number Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) Your 2021 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You should be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool) Bank statements and records of untaxed income (if applicable) When asked what institutions you wish your report to be sent to, please include GSU's Code: 009145 Have you heard of the RISE Act's Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid? The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a way for undocumented and transgender students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. Pre-screening questions at the beginning of the application help students determine which application (Alternative Application vs. FAFSA) should be completed. Completing either of the above will allow you to compete for a DDP scholarship! Ask your DDP Transfer Specialist for more information on how you may be eligible.
deadlines for special programs are fast approaching! If you are planning to transfer to GSU in Spring 2023, please be aware that some programs have application deadlines that are quickly approaching. Below is a list of undergraduate programs that have an application deadline in the upcoming months. Please remember, you are strongly encouraged to submit all application materials/materials for admission as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute delays! Please contact your DDP Transfer Specialist for assistance in ensuring that you have all materials submitted before the deadline. Health Administration: October 1 Nursing (RN to BSN): November 1 Community Health: November 30 Social Work: December 4 Graduating with your associate degree this semester? Don't forget to petition to graduate! Stop by and speak with a counselor/advisor at your community college and learn when the deadline is to do so! Many schools have a deadline as early as September 1st! Click here if you are ready to apply to GSU for 2023 admissions!
Sharita Walker Kankakee Community College Prairie State College South Suburban College
CHECK IN WITH YOUR TRANSFER SPECIALIST tHE DDP tRANSFER sPECIALISTs ARE BACK AT YOUR CAMPUSES! Still at the community college? Do not forget to check in with your DDP Transfer Specialist! Although virtual appointments are still available, you can now schedule an in person meeting with your Transfer Specialist. Check out your Transfer Specialist’s on campus hours, and stop by to say hello! Click on your community college below for more information:
Alexandro Venegas City Colleges of Chicago (all seven campuses)
Juan Gonzalez College of DuPage Morton College Harper College Triton College Joliet Junior College Waubonsee CCollege Moraine Valley CCollege
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
Save The Dates
Back to School Social @GSU, Jaguar Den (second floor A-building) Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 3-5pm Meet fellow DDP friends from all stages of transfer at GSU. Enjoy food, games, and win DDP merch! GSU Convocation & Ice Cream Reception @GSU, Center for Performing Arts Thursday, September 8, 2022, 1-3pm Convocation is a ceremony to welcome students to the start of the academic year. Many courses during this time period will be released to attend this official ceremony of the University. DDP Scholarship Symposium @GSU, Hall of Honors (D1490) Friday, September 16, 2022, 12-4pm Half-day professional development conference that provides resources to help you graduate with as little academic debt as possible. Topics also include info for funding study abroad and graduate school. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER DDP September Community Service The Bridge Teen Center, Orland Park, IL Friday, September 23, 2022, 9-12pm The DDP coordinates community service activities to raise awareness of each other's experiences. The Bridge Teen Center is dedicated to providing students with free after school programs that serve as a safe space for students to grow mentally, physically and emotionally. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER Events continued on next page...
Fall 2022
Fall CONT.
Spring 2023 Scholarship Deadline Thursday, October 6, 2022, 11:59pm For those transferring to GSU in the Spring of 2023, the deadline to apply for a DDP Honors, GSU Promise, or DDP Chicago Star Scholars Scholarship is Thursday, October 6th, 2022. See page three for more info. Students interested in applying are STRONGLY encouraged to participate in the Scholarship Symposium on Sept 16th - Register today! DDP Welcome Cording Ceremony @GSU, E-Lounge (E1571) Friday, October 7, 2022, 6-7pm Dual Degree Program students who transferred to Governors State University in the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2022 will be honored at a cording ceremony to acknowledge the completion of their associate degree and successful transfer to GSU. Formal invitations have been mail to eligible students! GSU Homecoming & National Transfer Student Week October 17-23, 2022 Stay tuned for event announcements! DDP Induction Ceremony (Fall Option) @GSU, Engbretson Hall & E-Lounge Friday, November 4, 2022, 9:30am-1pm Semi-annual Induction Ceremony for DDP students who are still attending community college. Students are asked to attend an Induction Ceremony prior to transferring to GSU. Invitations will be mailed early October 2022.
Dear DDP Students and Supporters, Congratulations to the DDP students who graduated with their associate degrees this year, and are making the transition to GSU this fall! The Dual Degree Program continues to be a resource for you while you are completing the second of your dual degrees. Our team of Student Transition Assistants and myself are located five days a week in rooms A2128 and A2122. We are here to answer your questions, point you in the right direction, or simply listen on a hard day. Your first semester at the university may be overwhelming, but there is no need to face it alone! Keep an eye on your email for announcements and further details regarding the events on pages seven and eight. The DDP Team wishes you a fantastic fall semester, and look forward to seeing you around campus! Best, Jessica Specht, M.A. Director of DDP
director's corner