Crawford Honors College

Crawford Honors College FAQ

• What is the Crawford Honors College?

  The Crawford Honors College (CHC) is a distinguished community of scholars renowned for their academic excellence and leadership achievements. The CHC is tailored for those seeking a challenging academic experience, enriched with opportunities for advanced research, community engagement, and personal growth and development. This prestigious opportunity is truly intended for academically exceptional students who are seeking a rigorous educational experience.

• Do I qualify for the Crawford Honors College at JJC?

  Incoming first-year students must meet the following admissions criteria:

  • Minimum GPA of 3.8
  • Test Scores (one of the following options):
    • Option one: ACT score of 28 or higher, or SAT score of 1300 or higher
    • Option two: ACT score of 26-27, or SAT score of 1230-1290, and the following additional requirements:
      • One academic letter of recommendation (minimum 500 words) from a high school counselor or high school teacher
      • Interview with the Crawford Honors College staff
  • Ranking in the top 10% of high school class
  • Demonstrated leadership through high school extracurricular activities
  • Personal application essay (minimum 500 words)
  • Commitment to full-time enrollment

  
  Additionally, the Crawford Honors College is designed for students beginning their college journey and intending to complete a full honors experience. Successful applicants:

  • Have earned fewer than 25 transferable credit hours (including AP, dual credit, or other college-level coursework)
  • Intend to complete an associate degree at Joliet Junior College before transferring to a four-year institution
  • Are pursuing their first post-secondary degree

  
  Please note: Our admissions process is flexible, considering all aspects of your academic and personal achievements.

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  Current JJC students must meet the following admissions criteria:

  • 3.8 GPA or higher
  • Demonstrated leadership involvement
  • Personal application essay (minimum 500 words)
  • Commitment to full-time enrollment
  • Less than 25 credit hours toward degree completion
  • Pursuit of an associate's degree from JJC with intention to transfer to four-year institution upon graduation

• Can I still apply if I do not meet all admission criteria?

  Students are encouraged to apply to the Crawford Honors College even if they may not fulfill all admission requirements. Please note that we are unable to guarantee admission to students who do not meet all criteria.

• What should I do if I am missing an ACT score, SAT score, or class rank?

  Please complete the rest of the application to the best of your ability and leave an "NA" in the columns where you are missing information. Please note that you may experience an extended processing time or receive a request for additional materials from our CHC admissions staff. 

• I am a student who has completed some level of college credit. What GPA should I submit?

  We ask that all applicants use their most recent cumulative GPA. Please note that the Crawford Honors College is not intended for students who have already earned a post-secondary degree. 

• Are there scholarships for students who fall below a 3.8 GPA?

  Crawford Honors College students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher to receive a full scholarship. Honors college students with a GPA that falls below a 3.8 but higher than a 3.64 are eligible for a partial scholarship. 

• I have been accepted! What should I do next?

  Please review your acceptance checklist and contact the Crawford Honors College team at Honors@jjc.edu within 10 business days of receiving your acceptance letter. You will then be asked to schedule an advising appointment with one of our Honors Faculty Advisors.

• Can I combine my CHC scholarship with other scholarships?

  Yes, CHC students are required to apply for JJC Scholarships each semester. As part of the CHC application process, we also ask you to apply for JJC scholarships online by going to: www.jjc.edu/scholarships. 

  • Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid. Financial aid and scholarships will be applied in the following order:
  • Financial Aid is applied first
  • External Scholarships are applied next (unless donor specifies otherwise)
  • JJC Foundation Scholarships are applied next based on your scholarship application
  • Honors College Scholarships are then added based on your cumulative GPA (scholarship names may vary).

• What does the full-tuition scholarship cover?

  The full-tuition scholarship covers tuition at the in-district rate, fees and books for up to four semesters at JJC (fall/spring only).

• How large are honors courses?

  Students in the Crawford Honors College will benefit from small class sizes. Honors courses are limited to 15 students.

• What other benefits do Crawford Honors College students receive?

  Crawford Honors College students receive many benefits, including but not limited to:

  • Full tuition scholarship for four semesters (tuition, books and fees)*
  • Small class sizes
  • Interdisciplinary courses and advanced offerings
  • Priority registration and advising
  • Research and study abroad
  • Conferences
  • Publication opportunities
  • Personal leadership development opportunities
  • Career coaching
  • Membership into the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society
  • Travel experiences
  • Crawford Scholar designation
  • Guaranteed admission pathways to four-year institutions through JJC transfer partnerships**

  
  *Students must maintain a 3.8 GPA each semester and meet other requirements to stay eligible for the full scholarship.

  **Available to all JJC students who meet partner institution requirements. Crawford Honors College students benefit from enhanced advising and are prioritized for future honors-to-honors transfer pathways.