Jump Start scholarship to help ESL students at COD

The Jump Start Scholarship at College of DuPage has been expanded to help students who complete Adult English as a Second Language courses transition into college courses.

Introduced in fall 2011, the Jump Start Scholarship awards $500 to students who are residents of District 502 and have successfully completed the GED preparation course at COD. Due to the positive reaction to the scholarship, the parameters now extend to students who have successfully completed the Adult ESL course sequence at College of DuPage.

“Jump Start has been expanded to reach a greater cross-section of students,” said Joe Cassidy, dean of Continuing Education/Extended Learning. “Even more students can now begin their college education and improve their skills for employment.”

Students can use the scholarship on academic ESL or 1100-level credit course tuition, fees, textbooks or educational supplies within 12 months of award notification. By being enrolled in a credit program, these students may meet state eligibility for WorkNet and federal eligibility for the Pell Grant program.

For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (630) 942-2251 or email financialaid@cod.edu.