City Colleges of Chicago

From June 5th to July 27th, new City Colleges students across the city will prepare for a successful college experience by taking a FREE college level course and participating in college success activities – ensuring momentum into and through college early in their first year. You can join them! With additional advising, options for English tutoring and math supports – this is your first step to college success.

Fast Facts

The program, including tuition and books, is free.

Laptops are available to borrow from City Colleges.

Students can re-/take the English (RTW) and/or Math (ALEKS) placement exams at the end of the summer if they receive English and/or math tutoring support during the program, which is offered for free.

Students will have the chance to participate in fun activities, like social events, campus tours, student groups, and more!

Eligible students must:

  • Graduate from a CPS/charter/option school in Fall 2023 or Spring/Summer 2024

    • Not sure if you’re from a CPS school? If it’s searchable here, then you’re good to go!
  • Intend to enroll in City Colleges of Chicago courses during the Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 semesters.
  • Be available to participate in all components of Summer Start which include*:

    • College credit class of your choosing (must be offered during SU24 term and must be a class you are eligible for)
    • At least 1 offering from a list of academic tutoring options
    • At least 2 offerings from a list of college success options
    • At least 1 offering from a list of campus engagement options

    *Depending on class selection, students can anticipate spending approximately 10-15 hours per week on Summer Start activities (both in-person on campus and virtually). This includes in-class time, studying, homework, and other mandatory activities.

    Lists of additional offerings will be provided at Summer Start virtual orientation on April 11 which is mandatory for all participating students.

Summer Start Program Requirements

All Summer Start students must complete all program requirements to be considered a Summer Start completer. Summer Start completers will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a prize from the following prize options!

  • 4 ticket voucher for Chicago Sky 2024 season
  • 4 ticket voucher for Chicago Sky 2024 season
  • A 2-person package to the Chicago Air & Water Show
  • A 2-person package to the Chicago Air & Water Show
  • A 2-person package to the Chicago Jazz Festival
  • A 2-person package to the Chicago Jazz Festival

All Summer Start students who attend their first week of class will receive a ticket to the NASCAR Street Race here in Chicago!

Use the menu below to understand the program requirements and to look for activities you want to participate in to complete those requirements.

Use the Summer Start Participation Passport to track your progress! Click here to download it.

Activity Category Harold Washington College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 workshop of College Success 101 or Evidence-based learning strategies
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director, Mariah Palmer
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 6/20 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend as many of these activities as you are able!
    • 6/6 – College Success 101 Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 2:30pm
    • 6/7 – College Success 101 Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 2:30pm
    • 6/10 – College Success 101 Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 2:30pm
    • 6/10 – College Resource Mixer – Room 103 – 10am-11:30am
    • 6/12 – Study Strategies Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 3:30pm
    • 6/13 – Study Strategies Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 3:30pm
    • 6/17 – Study Strategies Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 3:30pm
    • 6/17 – US State Department Careers – ZOOM- 4pm-5pm
    • 6/18 – Movie: Miss Juneteenth – Room 103- 1pm-3pm
    • 6/18 – Study Strategies Workshop- Room 501E The Stem Hub Room 3:30pm
    • 6/21 – Careers 101 – ZOOM -11am-12pm
    • 6/26 – Pride Month Bingo! – Lower Level – 1pm-2pm
    • 7/9 – White Sox v. Twins – US Cellular Field – 7:10pm
    • 7/10 – Bank of America Careers – Front Lobby – 2pm-5pm
    • 7/16 – E.T. – Millennium Park – Front Lobby – 5pm
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.
Activity Category Truman College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director, Vivian Rivera
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 7/24 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend as many of these activities as you are able!
    • 6/5 from 2-3pm – College 101 – Navigating your student portal, understanding your syllabus and college terminology, and knowing your rights as a student
    • 6/10 from 1-2pm – Time Management Workshop
    • 6/11 from 1-2pm – Let’s Chat: Balancing School and Personal Priorities
    • 6/20 from 1-2pm – The Leader in YOU: Becoming a leader with skills you already have.
    • 6/25 from 1-2pm – Financial Literacy Workshop: Budgeting 101, money management tips, understanding financial aid, and more!
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.
Activity Category Kennedy-King College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director, Dr. Charles Collins
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 7/11 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend as many of these activities as you are able!
    • 6/12 – time management workshop
    • 6/13 – Meet & Greet in the Student Lounge
    • 6/13 – Resource Fair in the Y Building
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.
Activity Category Malcolm X College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director, Stephen Samuels
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 6/26 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.

Information coming soon from First Year Experience Director Stephen Samuels!
Activity Category Olive-Harvey College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director, Dr. Chris Cook
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 7/24 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend as many of these activities as you are able!
    • 6/9 – This Is What Worked For Me
    • 6/11 – Student Support Workshop – Getting Started
    • 6/13 – Student Support Workshop – How to Be A Success Student
    • 6/15 – This Is What Worked For Me (End)
    • 6/16 – Summer Start Activities – Game Day! (Start)
    • 6/18 – Student Support Workshop – Time Management
    • 6/20 – Student Support Workshop – Listening and Note taking Skills
    • 6/22 – Summer Start Activities – Game Day! (End)
    • 6/23 – Summer Start Activities – Art Recreation (Start)
    • 6/25 – Student Support Workshop – Study Skills
    • 6/27 – Student Support Workshop – Test Taking Strategies
    • 6/29 – Summer Start Activities – Art Recreation (End)
    • 6/30 – Summer Start Activities – Group Projects Arent That Bad! (Start)
    • 7/6 – Summer Start Activities – Group Projects Arent That Bad! (End)
    • 7/7 – Summer Start Activities – Olive Harvey Trivia (Start)
    • 7/10 – Student Support Workshop – Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • 7/13 – Summer Start Activities – Olive Harvey Trivia (End)
    • 7/14 – Summer Start Activities – Student Involvement (Start)
    • 7/16 – Student Support Workshop – Understanding College Placement
    • 7/20 – Summer Start Activities – Student Involvement (End)
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.
Activity Category Daley College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director, Dr. Damyen Davis
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 7/17 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.

More information coming soon from First Year Experience Director Damyen Davis!
Activity Category Wright College
Academic Support
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend 1 tutoring center appointment
  • Wanting to re-take your English placement test or practice reading/writing over the summer? Participate in a virtual Reading/Writing Confidence Workshop over Zoom (2x per week for 6 weeks) – sign up here, if interested.
College Success
Must complete at least 2.
  • Meet with your First Year Experience Director
  • Have 1 appointment with your Career Center
  • Have 1 appointment with a transfer advisor
  • Wanting to explore your interests, goals, and passions before landing on a degree plan? Participate in virtual Purpose Pathway Seminar (1x per week for 6 weeks); English and Spanish offerings – sign up here, if interested.
  • Attend the virtual Scholarship Resource Fair on July 12th, 10am – 12pm. Sign up here if you’re interested.
  • Interested in transferring to a 4-year university after your time at CCC? Attend the field trip to visit UIC on June 28th and/or the field trip to Roosevelt University on July 18th! Sign up here if you’re interested.
Campus Engagement
Must complete at least 1.
  • Attend a campus scavenger hunt on 7/11 @ 1pm; sign up here.
  • Attend as many of these activities as you are able!
    • From 6/14 – 7/19 there will be a summer activity every Friday from 9am-noon
  • Attend New Student Orientation (sign up through the Navigate app in your student portal at my.ccc.edu)
  • Attend a free visit day to the Chicago Art Institute on July 11 from 1-5pm. Sign up here.

More information coming soon from Dean George Kinlaw!

College Locations

All 7 City Colleges of Chicago are participating. You can take your class at:

It is recommended that you take your Summer Start class at the college you plan to attend in the fall (i.e., your home campus) so that you can get comfortable with your home college campus. However, if your home campus isn’t offering the class you want to take, you can complete a class at a different campus.

You can browse the course catalog here to see what types of classes are offered at CCC!

Summer Start is a free program and gives students the opportunity to gain college credit early, before their first fall at CCC! This is a great way to SAVE MONEY in the long run by getting a class out of the way for free during the summer!  

It also helps students meet their peers and professors, gain a sense of community on campus, and prepare to be the best version of themselves in college.  

To join the Summer Start 2024 cohort, follow the steps below:

  1. Apply to City Colleges of Chicago as a degree-seeking student for the Summer 2024 term.
  2. Fill out the application form below to apply to be a Summer Start Scholar.
  3. Check your email to find a message from summerstart@ccc.edu with important information about next steps. Make sure to check your email inbox each week leading up to Summer Start in case you have important messages from staff at CCC. Messages will go to the email account that you list in the application below!
  4. Attend virtual Summer Start orientation on April 11. If you apply later than April 11, you will have an alternative orientation.
  5. Complete a DocuSign form that will be sent to your email inbox. This will show that you agree to the requirements of the Summer Start program.
  6. Once registration for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 terms is open (April 3, 2024), you can register for your Summer Start class and for your Fall 2024 classes. Students must be registered for fall classes at CCC prior before to July 1 to your Summer Start class paid for.

**Make sure to talk to a college advisor before registering for classes! They will help you make the right choice for you! This might be at Enrollment Days if you’re coming on that field trip with your senior class, OR you can talk to an advisor through Virtual Student Services.**

Please email summerstart@ccc.edu with any questions!

The Summer Start form is closed.

If you’re an English Language Learner looking to go to Malcolm X, complete the ESL Summer Start cohort application here:

Contact us:

Please reach out to summerstart@ccc.edu if you have any questions.

Not sure what to study? Check out our course catalog.

Connect virtually with an academic advisor, meet with our Financial Aid Office, and find other resources at www.ccc.edu/VSS.

What are you waiting for? Your success starts at City Colleges.