General Track

The General Track Summer Start application closes on May 21, 2026—apply before then!

Fast Facts

The program, including tuition and books, is free.

Laptops are available to borrow from City Colleges on a first-come, first-served basis 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 2025 or Summer 2026 and be starting their first semester as a City Colleges student.

    • Not sure if you’re from a CPS school? If it’s a search result on this CPS website, then you’re good to go!

  • Intend to enroll in City Colleges of Chicago courses during the Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 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 seven 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 will work with a college advisor to select one class from your college’s summer schedule that is of interest to you and which aligns with your academic plans.

Explore the City Colleges academic catalog to see what classes might interest you before you meet with an advisor. Some classes might have pre-requisites that you should be aware of.

See below for more information about specific Summer Start requirements and additional support opportunities available by college.

Kennedy-King College
Summer Start students will be required to take their class in person on campus.

 

Optional opportunity: reading/writing bootcamp and level-up math workshop to re-take read-to-write and math placement tests.
Harold Washington College
Summer Start students will pick from a list of approved summer classes:

Optional opportunity: level-up math workshop to re-take math placement tests
Malcolm X College
The METAS program at Malcolm X College will offer Summer Start students the chance to take Math 125.

Optional opportunity: reading/writing bootcamp to re-take read-to-write placement test.
Truman College
Optional opportunity: level-up math workshop to re-take math placement test
Olive-Harvey College
Optional opportunity: reading/writing bootcamp to re-take read-to-write placement test
Daley College Summer Start students will pick from a list of approved Summer Start classes:

Optional opportunity: level-up math workshop to re-take math placement test
Wright College
Optional opportunity: reading/writing bootcamp and level-up math workshop to re-take read-to-write and math placement tests.

Summer Start General Track is a free program and gives students the opportunity to gain college credit early, before their first fall at City Colleges! 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! Completers of the program will be eligible to receive up to $200 in Earn & Learn stipends!

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 2026 cohort, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the City Colleges of Chicago Credit application as a degree-seeking student for a Summer 2026 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!