Admission and Financial Aid

Admission of Undergraduate Students

Admission to Dominican University is open to men and women who are prepared academically to undertake a rigorous liberal arts program. Applicants for freshman admission are considered on the basis of probable success as determined by grades in a college preparatory program, standardized test scores, and class rank. Transfer students are primarily evaluated on the basis of course work completed at previous colleges and universities; in some cases, the high school record is considered. Admission decisions are announced on a rolling basis. Students are required to pay a tuition deposit after they have been accepted. The deposit is refundable until May 1 for students entering in the fall term and November 1 for students entering in the spring term. Housing arrangements may be made after the tuition deposit is paid. A housing deposit also is required. Prospective students are urged to visit the campus. Individual appointments with an admission counselor can be arranged, along with a campus tour. Visiting Day programs are scheduled throughout the year. Students needing special accommodations for such events are asked to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission prior to the event.

All application materials become the property of Dominican University. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information regarding a previous academic record on an admission application form is grounds for denial of admission.

Admission From Secondary School Requirements

Entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs include a high school cumulative grade point average of 2.75, with special attention to grades in college preparatory courses; ACT or SAT scores at or above the national average; rank in the upper half of the high school graduating class; and completion of 16 units of college preparatory work, including 14 in a combination of English, mathematics, social sciences, laboratory science, and foreign language. Factors such as leadership, personal qualities, and co-curricular activities also are considered. Proof of high school graduation and proof of state-required immunization must be presented prior to enrolling at the university. Dominican University recognizes the General Education Development (GED) diploma in lieu of a high school diploma.

Application Procedure

Applicants for admission to the freshman class are responsible for having the following documents sent to the university:

1. The completed application, which can be accessed from the website:  www.dom.edu;
2. An official high school transcript;
3. ACT or SAT scores. The university will accept the ACT/SAT scores reported on the high school transcript. Acceptance of high school applicants before the completion of the senior year carries with it the understanding that the candidates will successfully complete the senior year. The university reserves the right to withdraw acceptance if the final transcript is unsatisfactory; and
4. A $25 application fee is required.

Advanced Placement (AP)

High school students are encouraged to take advanced placement tests and to apply for college-level academic credit on the basis of the results. There is no maximum of credit awarded through AP examinations. Students must have official scores sent to Dominican University, Office of Undergraduate Admission.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Dominican University recognizes the rigorous nature of the International Baccalaureate program and awards individual course credit for scores of four or above on higher-level IB examinations. Students may be awarded up to 30 semester hours of advanced standing for appropriate scores on higher-level examinations. For additional information, contact the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences Office of Academic Advising.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Subject to acceptable scores and to certain departmental qualifications, credit is granted for College Level Examination Program tests in various subject areas.

A maximum of 28 semester hours of credit may be granted with no more than 12 semester hours in one subject area. Students must have official scores sent to Dominican University. For additional information, contact the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences office at (708) 524-6814.

Information about the College Level Examination Program can be secured at clep.collegeboard.org.

Admission to Honors Degree Program

Incoming full-time students of superior ability are selected to participate in the honors degree program. Normally, students with a 3.75 grade point average and high ACT/SAT scores, and who have completed honors or advanced placement classes in high school are chosen for the honors program because of their expressed academic interests and their accomplishments. Transfer students who meet comparable criteria in their previous college work may be eligible for the honors program.

Early Enrollment to Dominican University

Students wishing to begin college classes before receiving the high school diploma will be considered for admission to the freshman class upon completion of the junior year and fulfillment of the following conditions:

1. Recommendation for admission to Dominican University by the high school principal or counselor and at least one high school teacher; 
2. Completion of not fewer than 14 units acceptable toward admission to Dominican University, 11 of which shall be in subjects prescribed for admission; and
3. On-campus interview with the appropriate admission counselor responsible for the applicant’s high school. 

Special Admission Opportunities

Dominican University admits a limited number of students each year who do not meet all the regular admission requirements but who have demonstrated the potential to complete university course work successfully. For these students, a condition of admission may be participation in the summer Transitions program or enrollment in the Strategies for Academic Success  seminar. In cases where the Admission Committee believes that it is in the student’s best interest, it may limit the number of hours a student can take in the first term of enrollment.

Admission of Transfer Students

A transfer student is one who has been accepted with at least 12 semester hours of transferable college credit. Students in good standing from regionally accredited two-year or four-year colleges will be considered for admission.

Candidates applying as transfer students are responsible for having the following documents sent to the university:

1. The completed university application form;
2. Official transcripts from each college and university attended; and
3. The official high school transcript, including ACT or SAT scores, when requested.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is generally granted for courses comparable to those offered by Dominican University that were successfully completed with a grade of “C-” or above at another regionally accredited institution. The university will evaluate all hours submitted by the transfer applicant and reserves the right to accept or deny any of the credits for transfer. Upon receipt of official transcripts, the Office of the Registrar, in consultation with the appropriate academic department(s), will officially assess transfer credit after a transfer student has been formally admitted and has declared a major; only those hours that satisfy requirements will be applied to the degree and included in the student’s cumulative earned hours (grade points from transfer courses are not included in the Dominican grade point average). Up to 68 semester hours are accepted in transfer from a two-year school and up to 90 semester hours are accepted from four-year colleges and universities (see residency requirements ). A total of 4 semester hours in physical education, health or recreation courses can be applied toward the 124 total semester hours required for a bachelor’s degree.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may receive a second bachelor’s degree from Dominican University provided that:

1. All university general education requirements, foundation and area requirements, and major requirements are met;
2. A minimum of 34 semester hours is earned in residence at Dominican University; and
3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is attained. Transfer student restrictions apply to second baccalaureate degree candidates.

Transfer student admission requirements and procedures apply to second B.A. or B.S. candidates.

Admission of International Students

Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must demonstrate proficiency in English and also submit either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. The Admission Committee may waive this requirement for international adult applicants for whom such testing is not appropriate. Acceptable English proficiency exams/programs would include:

1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 79-80 on the web-based version; or
2. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of 7 or better; or
3. The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA) score of 53 or better; or
4. Successful completion of ELS Level 112.

Official credentials and notarized translations must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. For advanced standing and/or transfer credit, students must submit official transcripts and will be asked to have official transcripts evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or another approved agency at their own expense. This official evaluation, along with the official college/university transcript, must be submitted directly to the university.

International students should be advised that they must pay the first semester’s tuition, fees, and room and board in full prior to beginning classes. International students are advised that limited financial aid is available to them from the university. The magnitude of educational and living costs should be clearly defined.

Information needed to complete the I-20 form will be collected for all international students, including information regarding financial support.

The International Student Advisor will issue the I-20 form to the student after the student has been accepted for admission and provided evidence of financial support. The International Student Advisor must notify SEVIS that an I-20 has been issued before a visa will be considered. Students with B-2 (tourist) visas and F-2 visas are no longer permitted or to study in the United States with these visa statuses. They may apply for Change of Status, a process that can take many months, but may not attend school until the COS has been approved. In this case, international students should return to their home country and apply for an F-1 visa.

Degree Completion Agreements

Dominican University, in partnership with area community colleges, offers a number of degree completion programs. Generally, completing certain programs at one of these colleges admits the student into a bachelor’s degree program at Dominican. Areas of partnership include programs in apparel design, biology, business, chemistry, culinary arts, early childhood education, neuroscience, and others. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission for a complete listing of partnership programs.

Admission to Certificate or Licensure Programs

Students admitted to certificate or licensure programs will follow the same procedures as outlined for degree-seeking students. Students accepted into certificate programs may apply those credits toward a bachelor’s degree. The change of status must be filed with the registrar.

Admission as an Undergraduate Student-at-Large

Students who are not seeking a degree and who have graduated from high school or earned a GED may be admitted as students-at-large. Students-at-large need to complete a special application and present official transcripts for high school and any previous college work. The college transcripts will serve to verify 1) whether specific prerequisite courses had been taken, and 2) that the student was in good standing at the most recent institution.

Students-at-large may register for up to 30 semester hours of credit before they must change to degree-seeking status. Credits earned as students-at-large at Dominican may then be applied to satisfy degree requirements.

They must meet all admission requirements when applying for degree-seeking status and are subject to all academic rules and regulations during their attendance at the university.

Students seeking teacher certification or Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) certification, or students registering for certificate and/or licensure programs may not apply as students-at-large. Students-at-large are not eligible for financial aid.

Tuition Exchanges

Dominican University participates in the Catholic College Cooperative Tuition Exchange, the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange, and Tuition Exchange, Inc. Dependents of employees of participating institutions are eligible for tuition benefits at Dominican University. Additional information on these tuition exchanges is available in the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Endowed and Memorial Scholarships

Benefactors of the university have established the following scholarships to promote Catholic college education and provide financial aid to qualified students.

The Alumnae/i Reunion Scholarship, classes of ‘27,’64,’65
The Bernard G. and Anna M. Anderson Endowed Scholarship
The Edna and Ralph Balgemann Scholarship
The Lerone and Gloria Bennett Scholarship
The Camille P. and Ferdinand V. Berley Scholarship
The Renee A. and Pier C. Borra Scholarship
The Rita M. Uznanski Bottei Endowed Scholarship
The Ida Brechtel Scholarship in Memory of Sister Mary Alberic Runde, OP
The Lois L. and Edward A. Brennan Scholarship
The Loretta Wagar Burg Scholarship
The Angie Buscareno Endowed Scholarship
The William J. and Anna S. Chekewicz Scholarship
The Class of 1939 Scholarship
The Class of 1940 Scholarship
The Class of 1946 Scholarship
The Class of 1959 Scholarship
The Class of 1968 Scholarship for Study Abroad
The Class of 1971 Scholarship
The Bernadette E. Connelly Scholarship
The James and Marie Cowhey Scholarship
The Janet Cunningham Crowley Scholarship
The Mabel F. Crowley Scholarship
The Sister Thomasine Cusack Memorial Scholarship
The Robert C. and Lois Kern Dittus Scholarship
The Helen Keogh and Patrick H. Doherty Sr. Scholarship
The Anna M. Dolan Scholarship
The Carolyn Leonard Dolan Scholarship
The Ellen Raepple Donahue Family Memorial Scholarship
The Eileen Hogan Drum Scholarship
The Erickson-Studnicka Scholarship
The Olive Mazurek Faa di Bruno Scholarship
The Barbara McAllistter Fielder Scholarship
The Kathleen Moonan Fitzgerald Scholarship
The Terry Gillespie Freund Scholarship
The Friends of Dominican University Scholarship
The Virginia Burke Gearen Scholarship
The Sister Cyrille Gill, OP Scholarship
The John S. and Estelle V. Phelan Gorman Scholarship
The Mary Estelle Gorman Scholarship
The Louis Ruppert Grobl Scholarship
The Halasz Scholarship
The Nancy O’Connor Harrington Scholarship
The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship
The Katharine Loretta Howard Scholarship
The Arvid C. Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The Harriet and Joseph Kern Scholarship
The Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Kruce Scholarship
The Henry S. Lang Scholarship
The LaVera Lazer Memorial Scholarship
The Sister George Lennon, OP Scholarship
The Audrey Brekke Lewis Scholarship
The Green-Lewis Scholarship
The Celia A. Lewis Scholarship
The Edna Green Lewis Scholarship
The Edward W. Lewis Scholarship
The Ellen T. Lewis Scholarship
The William H. Lewis Scholarship
The Dorothy In-Lan Wang Li and Tze-chung Li Scholarship
The Frederick S. Lund Family Scholarship
The Father Eugene Joseph Lutz Scholarship
The Jean Lynch Scholarship
The Patricia Therese McCarron Scholarship
The Josephine Lewis McGoorty Scholarship
The Sister Albertus Magnus McGrath, OP Scholarship
The Coletta Dunn Maddock and James Andrew Maddock Sr. Scholarship in Memory of Coletta Maddock Doherty ‘52
The John F. and Marie B. Mayer Scholarship
The Mazur-Tcachuk Scholarship
The Gerard J. Mikol Scholarship
The George and Loretta Morency Scholarship
The Alice and John Moretti Scholarship in Memory of Sister Jocelyn Garey, OP
The Vernile Murrin Morgan Scholarship
The Joseph C. Mugnolo Memorial Scholarship
The Marie Mulgrew Scholarship
The Dorothy Reiner Mulroy Scholarship
The Mother Evelyn Murphy, OP Scholarship
The Patricia and Vincent Murphy Scholarship
The Sister Jean Murray, OP Scholarship
The Charles and Colette Pollock Scholarship Fund
The Richard and Virginia Prendergast Scholarship
The Colleen Anne Redmond Scholarship
The Alice Muriel Reynolds Scholarship
The Roach Scholarship in Memory of Sister Albertus Magnus McGrath, OP
The Rita Ann Barry Rock Scholarship
The Rosary College Memorial Scholarship
The Helen H. and Earl J. Rusnak Scholarship
The Gloria A. Sanchez Scholarship
The Anthony J. and Anna Marie Garippo Sciaraffa Scholarship
The Robert L. Sciaraffa Scholarship
The Scully Family Scholarship
The James and Catherine Shandorf Scholarship
The Malcolm Sharp Scholarship
The Jane Simmons Memorial Scholarship
The Sinsinawa Dominican Trustee Scholarship
The John Sowa Scholarship
The Isabelle Breen Stucker Scholarship
The Lena Maggie Swanson Memorial Scholarship
The M. James and Mary Jane Termondt Scholarship
The Sister Sheila Treston, OP Scholarship
The Anita L. Vogel Scholarship
The Gert Hammond Wagner Scholarship
The Srs. Crapo, Davlin, and Waters, OP Scholarship
The Frances R. Watts Scholarship
The Margaret Ellen White Scholarship
The Jo and H. Scott Woodward Scholarship

Admission of Graduate Students

Admission Requirements

Applicants to a Dominican University master’s degree program are required to submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university showing the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. Applicant’s to the PhD program are required to submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university showing conferral of a master’s degree. Additional admission requirements are outlined in each school’s profile and/or included with graduate program listings.

Student at Large

Applicants interested in enrolling in a class or classes as a student-at-large-with no intention of completing a degree or other program-need to apply through the college or school that offers the course(s) they are interested in taking.

International Students

Applicants who were educated outside of the United States and/or students requiring a student visa must:

• Meet the requirements for admission as outlined in each school’s profile and/or included with the graduate program listing

• Demonstrate English language proficiency (if English is not the applicant’s primary language) by

  • completing a bachelors degree for which the primary language of instruction was English,

  • completion of ELS Level 112,

  • scoring 83 or better on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),

  • scoring 7.0 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); Brennan School of Business accepts an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.

• Have official credentialed evaluations completed by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) or another approved agency at the applicant’s expense in order to confirm the student has completed the equivalent of bachelor’s degree (or, where appropriate, master’s degree) at an accredited institution.

Following admission, Dominican can assist with immigration requirements. Dominican is authorized by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to issue SEVIS I-20s and DS 2019s for students living abroad or those wishing to transfer their SEVIS records. International students requiring an I-20 form for the F-1 student visa must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover a full year of tuition, fees, and living expenses including:

• Housing costs, whether room and board in university residence halls or off-campus housing; these costs are the student’s responsibility
• Medical insurance (international students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan via the Dominican Wellness Center unless they can document existing coverage that is equal to or better than the student plan offered)
• Books and personal items
• Support during such times when the university is not in session

University Admission Policies

Dominican University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, political orientation, sexual orientation or diverse lifestyle in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships, loan programs or any other program administered by the university.

Applications

• Only complete application files will be reviewed by the admission committee.
• Providing incomplete or inaccurate information regarding a previous academic record on an admission application is grounds for denial of admission.
• All application materials become the property of Dominican University; no credentials will be returned to the applicant.
• Students admitted to an undergraduate program of study may defer their enrollment for a maximum of one semester; students admitted to a graduate program of study may defer their enrollment for a maximum of one year. After that, it is necessary to reapply. 
• Applicants who have withdrawn their application after it has been submitted must reapply for further consideration.

Students With Special Needs

At Dominican University, no qualified individual with a disability will be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the university. The Office of the Dean of Students is a university resource promoting barrier-free environments (physical, program, information, attitude) and assisting the university in meeting its obligations under federal statutes and school tradition in regard to the rights of students with disabilities.

The Office of the Dean of Students coordinates providing necessary and appropriate services for students with special needs. Upon receipt of appropriate documentation of disability, the office assists by providing or arranging appropriate auxiliary aids and services, reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and consultation. In some instances the Office of the Dean of Students acts as a liaison with other appropriate state and federal agencies.

Students are encouraged to meet individually with the dean of students to determine what specific services and accommodations are needed. It is the responsibility of the student to make requests for auxiliary aids or special services at least three weeks prior to the start of a program or class.

The disability grievance procedure can be found in the student handbook, which can be requested from the Office of the Dean of Students.

Immunization Policy

Students registering for post-secondary education must submit to the university evidence of immunity against those diseases specified in the rules and regulations promulgated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All students registered for more than half time are required to meet all requirements necessary for compliance. If medical or religious reasons prevent a student from being immunized, a waiver can be submitted for consideration and, if approved, will be placed in the student’s file. Students born prior to January 1, 1957, are considered to be immune to measles, mumps, and rubella. However, students must submit to student health services proof of a tetanus immunization within the last 10 years and proof of their birth date. Failure to comply with the law will result in the assessment of fines and/or withholding of grades and transcripts until compliance is complete.Immunization records are available from high schools or from personal physicians and are to be submitted to the Wellness Center. Any questions regarding immunization records should be directed to the Wellness Center.

Admission of Veterans

Dominican University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the training of veterans and is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans should obtain a certificate of eligibility from their local veterans administration office at least one month before they plan to enter college.

Financial Aid

The financial aid program at Dominican University provides assistance to students whose personal and family resources cannot meet the cost of education. Assistance is in the form of federal, state, and institutional grants, loans, and employment. Only those students who have been accepted for admission are considered for financial aid.

An applicant’s aid eligibility will be determined by an evaluation of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible for federal or state aid, students must be degree-seeking United States citizens or permanent residents. To remain eligible for financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continue to submit the FAFSA on an annual basis.

Financial Aid Application Process

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Dominican University (code 001750) as the institution to receive the information. Both returning students and new students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible. Some students may be required to submit additional information.

Tuition and Fees

Costs 2019-2020 Academic Year

Tuition covers only a portion of the total cost of study at Dominican University. The donations of alumnae/i, foundations, corporations, and other friends of the university help to limit the expenses charged to students while maintaining a high-quality educational program.

Each application should include the $25 non-refundable application fee. Students who are accepted and plan to attend must also make a $100 tuition deposit, which can be refunded up until May 1 for the fall semester and until November 1 for the spring semester.

Charges

Undergraduate Tuition

Full-time Students

(12-18 semester hours)

Part-time students

High school students taking a college course

Degree completion students

Graduate Tuition

Room and full board

Student fees

Course fees

Some courses have lab fees applied, ranging from $50 to $250.

Music lessons have a lab fee applied of $150 per credit hour.

Students will receive an email notification to their Dominican email address that their eBill is ready for view. Payment is due by the first day of class for students who register in advance.

Students who register after the first day of class must pay their tuition or make financial arrangements at the time of registration.

Financial aid awards, with the exception of work-study awards, are deducted from any amount due. Annual awards are divided equally between the semesters unless the award carries a stipulation to the contrary. International students must pay for the semester charges at the beginning of each semester.

Payment Plans

A payment plan can be arranged online through our CASHNet system. All charges must be paid in full before the semester ends. Students may view their account status at any time online or stop in Student Accounts for assistance.

Withdrawal

When the Student Accounts Office has received official notice of withdrawal from the registrar, tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:

The withdrawal will be dated as of the day that notice of withdrawal is given to the Registrar’s Office unless extenuating circumstances warrant an adjusted withdrawal date. See the Academic Regulations  page for further information on withdrawing from classes.

Refunds

If a student has a credit balance after all financial aid is posted to his/her account, the excess may be refunded after the add/drop date each semester. We encourage students to enroll in eRefund. Those who do not enroll in eRefund will have a check mailed to the address we have on file.

Refunds are normally processed within ten working days. Refunds will not be made on the basis of estimated grants or anticipated funds, only upon funds actually received by Dominican University.

Resident hall charges are based upon the full year’s costs. It is expected that students will remain in residency the entire year except in cases where work for the degree has been completed before the end of the academic year. Refunds will be made on a prorated basis in the case of withdrawal due to serious illness or withdrawal at the request of university officials.

Financial Regulations

Students are not entitled to participate in graduation or receive recommendations, degrees, honors, semester grades, or transcripts of credits until all bills are paid and National Direct/Federal Perkins student loans are in current status. Any unpaid bills may be referred to a collection agency. The student is liable for any collection and legal costs. All charges are subject to change after 30 days’ notice. Registration and enrollment shall be considered as signifying acceptance of all conditions, rules, and regulations.

Per Public Law 115-407 Sec. 103 for terms beginning August 1, 2019 and later, students utilizing VA education benefits shall not be charged a penalty, including assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet their financial obligations due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.