Campus News

Rockford University, Rock Valley College (RVC), and Rockford Promise announce an expanded partnership creating more opportunities for local students to earn a bachelor’s degree in the Rockford region.

The three organizations signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 24, 2026, establishing a transfer pathway that supports Rockford Promise Scholars as they continue their education from RVC to Rockford University.

Beginning with students enrolling at Rockford University in Fall 2026, eligible Rockford Promise Scholars who earn an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from Rock Valley College with at least a 2.3 cumulative GPA will receive a scholarship covering their remaining tuition and security fee for up to two years while completing a bachelor’s degree at Rockford University.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to increasing educational attainment, strengthening the regional workforce, and creating opportunities for students to achieve their academic goals without leaving the community. Students will also benefit from coordinated advising, dedicated transfer support, and collaborative student success initiatives designed to help them progress from their first college course through bachelor’s degree completion.

At Rockford University, we believe higher education should be both accessible and transformational. This partnership creates a seamless pathway for local students to earn a bachelor’s degree while remaining rooted in the Rockford region. By working together with Rockford Promise and Rock Valley College, we are expanding educational opportunity, strengthening our local workforce, and investing in the long-term success of the students and communities we proudly serve.

-Dr. Patricia Lynott, President of Rockford University 

The signing ceremony also featured remarks from Miles Lang, a Rockford Promise Scholar and alumnus of both Rock Valley College and Rockford University. Lang shared how Rockford Promise allowed him to explore academic interests without the burden of financial debt before transferring to Rockford University to complete his bachelor’s degree. Lang is thrilled for the opportunity future students will have to continue receiving the Rockford Promise mentorship and financial support after transferring from RVC to Rockford University.

For the inaugural Fall 2026 implementation, the organizations have extended application and financial aid deadlines to August 1, 2026, giving eligible students additional time to participate in the new transfer pathway during its first year.

By aligning scholarship support with a clear transfer pathway, Rockford Promise, Rock Valley College, and Rockford University are expanding opportunities for local students to earn both associate and bachelor’s degrees while investing in the long-term educational and economic vitality of the Rockford region.

Students interested in learning more about transferring to Rockford University can visit rockford.edu/admission/rockford-promise or contact the Office of Admission at admissions@rockford.edu or 815-226-4050.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (Aug. 1, 2023) – Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, will hold its first virtual admission event on Wednesday, August 9 for students interested in transferring to Rockford University. 

When: Wednesday, August 9;  4 to 7 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Who: Prospective Transfer Students

How to attend:

1. Register for the event by going to this link: calendly.com/ru-admissions/ru-virtual-admission?month=2023-08, and picking a time on Wednesday, Aug. 9 between 4 and 7 p.m. 
2. After filling out the registration form, they will receive an automated email confirmation with the zoom link. 
3. RSVP to the Facebook event here: facebook.com/events/255638150600676?active_tab=about.
   1. Those who cannot make the event can schedule a custom meeting time by emailing admissions@rockford.edu or calling 815-226-4050.

This virtual event is for students interested in transferring to Rockford University to complete their bachelor’s degree. RU’s Admissions Team will guide you through the admission process, help you learn more about RU, and provide same day acceptance during this event!

The RU Admissions Team will help you complete your application, submit your transcripts, and get you accepted all within 15 minutes on this Zoom call. Take advantage of this concentrated time with our Admissions team and get accepted right away!

Same Day Acceptance:

To be eligible for same day acceptance, please have your official transcript(s) from each institution attended sent to admissions@rockford.edu before the event, or have your unofficial transcripts with you during the event.

How to have official transcripts submitted:

1. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the original institution to Rockford University. Some schools have electronic exchange, in which case you can select “Rockford University” as the recipient. Or you can manually enter admissions@rockford.edu for the recipient.
2. A conditional admission offer may be extended at the event, with further admission requirements required before enrolling (e.g. official transcripts).  

For questions and interviews please contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY

Rockford University is a private four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including the bachelor’s degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. 

Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Education in Urban Education, (M.Ed.). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and is a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

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Rockford, Ill. —Rockford University will host two events in February for students interested in attending college and learning more about the University. For students who are ready to enroll, a daylong Admit-a-Thon will be held on Monday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. On Saturday, February 24, prospective students and their families are invited to the Future Regent Visit Day held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

During the Admit-a-Thon on Monday, Feb. 19, interested students are invited to come directly to the Admission offices located in Nelson Hall anytime between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to complete a free application. An official transcript (first-year students must also bring ACT/SAT scores) will be needed. Admission counselors will be available to evaluate individuals’ files and provide an admission decision on the spot. Full-time, admitted students also will receive a scholarship.

The Future Regent Visit Day on February 24 will provide interested students and their families an in-depth look at Rockford University, including visits with admission representatives, financial aid staff, faculty and current students. The day also includes a tour of the campus, located in the heart of Rockford on 150 wooded acres, and an academic fair where visitors can talk one-on-one with faculty from various departments to learn more about academic programs. A complimentary lunch in the University’s dining hall will be provided.

Check-in begins at 10 a.m. on Rockford University’s campus, located at 5050 East State Street in Rockford. To learn more about Future Regent Visit Day and to register, call 815-226-4050 or visit www.rockford.edu/admission/visit.

Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Master of Education in Urban Education (MEd).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. RU is ranked as a Best Regional University – Midwest Tier One by US News & World Report and was named by the Princeton Review as a Best in the Midwest institution. The University currently serves approximately 1,260 full-and part-time students.