General Credit Track

The General Credit Track Summer Start application closes on May 30, 2025 – apply before then!

Fast Facts

The program, including tuition and books, is free.

Laptops are available to borrow from City Colleges through the Loaner Laptop program. See how to borrow a laptop, here.

Students can re-/take the English (RTW) and/or Math (ALEKS) placement exams at the end of the summer if they receive reading/writing and math support during the program, which is offered at select campuses for free.
Students will have the chance to participate in fun activities, like social events, campus tours, and more!

Eligible students must:

  • Graduate from a CPS/charter/option school in Fall 2024 or Summer 2025 and be starting their first semester as a CCC student.

    • 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 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters.

  • Be available for the duration of the 8 week class schedule to attend your classes and complete required assignments; remember, this is a real college class!*

    *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 on-campus activity opportunities.

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.

Classes being offered by City Colleges campus

You will select one class from the list of options to take this summer that is of interest to you and aligns with your academic plans.

Click the class name to see a full description in the CCC Academic Catalog. Some classes might have pre-requisites that you should be aware of.

Kennedy-King College 

English 101* or Africana Studies 101: Introduction to African American Studies  

Optional: reading/writing bootcamp and level-up math to re-take placement tests 

Harold Washington College 

Humanities 107: Pop Culture of American Life or Africana Studies 101: Introduction to African American Studies 

Optional: reading/writing bootcamp and level-up math to re-take placement tests 

Malcolm X College 

Computer Information Systems 120: Intro to Computer Applications, Biology 119: Environmental Biology , Math 125: Introductory Statistics, or Health Professions 102: Health Career Studies

Truman College 

Education 101: Introduction to Education*  

Optional: level-up math to re-take ALEKS placement test 

Olive-Harvey College 

Art 144: 2-Dimensional Design or Africana Studies 101: Introduction to African American Studies 

Optional: reading/writing bootcamp to re-take RTW placement test 

Daley College 

Interdisciplinary Studies 101: College Success or Criminal Justice 102: Administration of Criminal Justice 

Optional: level-up math to re-take ALEKS placement test 

Wright College 

English 101*, Psych 201: General Psychology*, or Computer Information Systems 120: Intro to Computer Applications 

*Eligibility for ENGLISH 101 based on prior coursework or RTW, ACT, SAT, GED, or HiSET test scores, or Consent of Department Chairperson.

Summer Start General Track 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 2025 cohort, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the City Colleges of Chicago Credit application as a degree-seeking student for a Summer 2025 start.
  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!

This Admissions and Completion Checklist shows you all the steps that go into both enrolling in AND completing Summer Start. Make sure to take a look and be prepared to complete the admissions steps this Spring!

Please email summerstart@ccc.edu with any questions!