Campus News

Rockford, Illinois — Rockford Promise is thrilled to announce an exciting
expansion of its scholarship program in collaboration with Rockford University and the City of
Rockford. This new partnership will provide eligible students with a fully-funded tuition opportunity to
attend Rockford University, enhancing access to higher education for local high school graduates.
This initiative is designed to support students living in the City of Rockford, offering them a pathway to
a debt-free college education and empowering the next generation of local leaders.

The Rockford Promise-Rockford University Scholarship Program will begin in the 2025 academic
year, allowing graduates from public or private Rockford Promise partner schools within Rockford
city limits, who meet specific academic and financial qualifications, to attend Rockford University
tuition-free. With annual support from the City of Rockford, Rockford Promise will administer the
program to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities, aiming to increase educational
attainment and foster economic growth throughout the region.

The City of Rockford has committed $500,000 annually towards the tuition of eligible students. This is
funded through the casino tax from the Rockford Hard Rock Casino and is part of the Casino Tax
Revenue Investment Plan. “This collaboration is a profound investment in Rockford’s future.” Said
Mayor Thomas McNamara “By enabling our students to achieve their educational goals without the
burden of tuition, we are not only supporting individual success but also strengthening our
community’s workforce and economic growth.” Meanwhile, Rockford University has pledged to cover
any additional tuition costs that exceed this contribution, guaranteeing that all qualifying students can
benefit from this opportunity.

“This partnership with Rockford University and the City of Rockford marks a transformative milestone
in Rockford Promise’s journey to making higher education accessible to all students within our
community,” said Kaylene Groh, Executive Director of Rockford Promise. “Together, we are building a
future where financial barriers do not stand in the way of academic and professional success for
Rockford’s youth.”

The Rockford Promise-Rockford University Scholarship is aligned with Rockford Promise’s mission of
supporting local students through scholarships, mentorships, and community engagement. The
program reflects the City of Rockford’s commitment to strengthening its workforce and encouraging
economic development. With the addition of this program, Rockford Promise, Rockford University,
and the City of Rockford collectively work to inspire youth to pursue higher education and contribute
to the city’s growth.

“This partnership with Rockford Promise and the City of Rockford marks a historic moment for our
institution,” said Dr. Patricia Lynott, President of Rockford University. “Since 2016, we have
welcomed Rockford Promise Scholars, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and academic
success, reflected in their 92% graduation rate. Last year alone, we received over 90 applications
from local students eager to pursue their studies at Rockford University through Rockford Promise.
We are proud to deepen this relationship and look forward to seeing our community grow stronger
through this initiative.”

How to apply:

Eligible students should complete their FAFSA and Rockford University admission applications by
February 1 of their graduating year. They must apply through the Rockford Promise website
application. Rockford Promise and Rockford University will coordinate to confirm student eligibility
and manage the enrollment process. The City of Rockford will confirm address requirements.

To qualify, students must:

● Be a resident of the City of Rockford.
● Graduate from a public or private high school located within the city limits.
● Achieve a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
● Qualify for Federal Pell Grants and Illinois MAP Grants.

About Rockford Promise:

Rockford Promise is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and location-based scholarship program that
enhances the economic vitality in the Rockford region by providing access to post-secondary
education for local students.

The organization removes financial barriers by offering full-tuition scholarships and providing support
to enhance student success to degree or program completion.

Rockford Promise is based on Promise programs throughout the nation, most notably the Kalamazoo
Promise in Kalamazoo, Michigan. One of the longest-running Promise programs, Kalamazoo Promise
has positively impacted high school graduation, college attendance, property values and public-school
enrollment. Local leaders seek to replicate the initiative in Rockford. Through Rockford Promise
scholarships, financial aid, and partnerships with Rock Valley College, Rockford University, Saint
Anthony College of Nursing and Northern Illinois University, Rockford Promise Scholars attend
college tuition-free.

About Rockford University:

Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in
1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional
fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations,
including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are
offered through the graduate program, including: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of
Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management &
Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most
prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious
Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our
dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities.
Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report
Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and
part-time students.