Admission and Financial Aid

Admission of Undergraduate Students

Admission to Dominican University is open to individuals who are prepared academically to undertake a rigorous liberal arts program. Applicants for freshman admission are considered based on probable success as determined by grades in a college preparatory program, standardized test scores, and class rank. Transfer students are primarily evaluated based on 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 application and deposit also are required for students planning to live on campus. Prospective students are urged to meet individually with an admission counselor and tour the campus. Other on-campus events are available 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 2.7 with special attention to grades in college preparatory courses; 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 at www.dom.edu/apply or www.commonapp.org
2. An official high school transcript and college transcript (when applicable); and
3. Official SAT or ACT Composite (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP)

High school students are encouraged to take advanced placement tests and to apply for college-level academic credit based on 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.

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.

Seal of Biliteracy

Dominican University recognizes the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy as evidence of a student having attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.  Accordingly, students whose high school transcripts indicate receipt of the State Seal of Biliteracy in French, Italian, or Spanish shall receive three elective credits in each of the targeted world languages for which the Seal is being awarded.  These credits may be counted towards the major or minor in the respective language.  However, fulfillment of the language requirement and placement into the French, Italian, or Spanish language sequence is determined by Dominican University Assessment.  Students may utilize either AP scores of 4 or 5 or the Seal of Biliteracy for course credit, but not both.

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 cumulative 3.75 grade point average, and who have completed honors or advanced placement classes in high school, are chosen for the honors program because of 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, 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). Four 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.

1. While candidates seeking a second B.A. or B.S. cannot receive financial assistance through the FAFSA, they can receive a Transfer Merit Scholarship for the amount that corresponds with their cumulative grade point average.

Admission of International Students

Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.  Acceptable English proficiency exams/programs would include:

1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 79-80; 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 to be 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 over 10 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 accounting, fashion design and merchandising, biology, business administration, chemistry, Culinology, elementary and secondary education, history, human services, informatics, legal studies, neuroscience, nutrition and dietetics, RN-BSN Completion, 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 Office of 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 licensure 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.

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 completed 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 with 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.

Eligibility to Use Veterans Benefits

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. 

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill . 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 and state aid, students must be degree-seeking United States citizens or permanent residents.  Also, students who are ineligible to file the FAFSA and are Illinois residents, can review the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid and see if they are eligible to complete it for consideration for the State of IL MAP Grant (Est). To remain eligible for financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continue to submit the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

Financial Aid Application Process

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

Tuition and Fees

Costs 2021 - 2022 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

Graduate Fees: 2021-2022

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 Online Payment 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 Stars Connect, 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 Stars Connect 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 generally 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. The University reserves the right to make schedule changes or changes in modality that are necessary due to any unforseen event or circumstances beyond their control. 

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. 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.