BECOME AN OMD SCHOLAR
TYPES OF SUPPORT
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The OMD Support Model
When you become an OMD Scholar, you gain access to four types of support: Academic support, financial support, professional development, and personal coaching.
Academic Support
- Accountability calls with your dedicated OMD Program Coordinator (PC)
- Guidance to help you navigate campus resources
Financial Support
- Stipends to help with books, transportation, or other college costs
Professional Development
- Student development sessions (SDS) on topics like time management and self-care
- Resume building LinkedIn training, and mock-interviews
Personal Coaching
- One-on-one and group mentoring from OMD staff and coaches
- A community committed to growth, success, and empowerment
OMD ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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Are you eligible?
Scroll to see if you meet our eligibility requirements.
Please note: There are different steps to becoming an OMD Scholar depending on which City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) campus you attend. When you begin the application process, you’ll learn specific steps based on your CCC campus.
CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO
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You can do this!
One Million Degrees provides the tools you need to be the best student and leader you can be.
OMD Scholars gain access to resources like:
Financial supports via stipends and grants
Monthly skills-building workshops
Personal success coaches
Consistent check-ins with your dedicated OMD Program Coodinator
HOW TO GET STARTED
CHECK YOUR TO DO LIST
Double check you meet OMD’s
eligibility requirements.
Sign up for email updates from OMD.
Watch your inboxes, including your CCC student email and CCC portal, for more information and next steps.
HOW TO GET STARTED
CHECK YOUR TO DO LIST
Not eligible for Fall 2026?
Join our email list below to be notified about our future opportunities.
JOIN THE LIST
FAQS
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Let's answer your questions!
If you’re interested in becoming an OMD Scholar, we want to make the process as easy as possible. Check out our frequently asked questions below
If you still have questions, fill out our Scholar Interest Form and our staff can help.
What is One Million Degrees?
One Million Degrees is a FREE students support and scholarship program. We have partnered with CCC since 2006 serving community college students across Chicago by providing financial, academic, personal and professional supports to encourage the success of our students in school, work, and life. As a student in the program you will be a part of an amazing community of volunteers, scholars, and staff members who are dedicated to the success of all students in OMD.
What does OMD do for me?
OMD is a student success program for City College of Chicago (CCC) students. When you become an OMD Scholar, you gain access to:
Academic Support :
- Accountability calls with your dedicated OMD Program Coordinator (PC)
- Guidance to help you navigate campus resources
Financial Support:
- Stipends to help with books, transportation, or other college costs
- Financial literacy training and counselling to help plan your future
Professional Development:
- Monthly seminars on topics like time management and self-care
- Resume building LinkedIn training, and mock-interviews
Personal Coaching :
- One-on-one and group mentoring from OMD staff and coaches
- A community committed to growth, success, and empowerment
How are students selected to become scholars?
The process to become an OMD scholar depends on whether you’ve met our eligibility requirements and which City College of Chicago (CCC) campus you attend.
If you attend Olive-Harvey, Harold Washington, Malcolm X, or Kennedy King Colleges and meet OMD eligibility requirements, you are considered opted in to OMD scholar supports and should receive communications about accessing our program. If you have not received that information, please email us at apply@onemilliondegrees.org.
If you attend Richard J. Daley, Truman, or Wilbur Wright Colleges and meet eligibility requirements, you’ll need to fill out an interest form. Accepted students must then move through our provisional acceptance process while the limited spots at the campus they will be attending are available. Spots in our program are open on a first-come basis to those who register for at least 9 credit hours and complete our onboarding steps.
What are the eligibility requirements to become an OMD Scholar?
All OMD Scholars must:
▪ Be enrolled in 9+ credits
▪ Have a 2.0+ GPA
▪ Be pursuing a first degree
▪ Have no active SAP holds (must be in good academic standing)
▪ Be a new, transfer, or re-enrolling* student
▪ If re-enrolling, have at least two semesters remaining until completion
*re-enrolling defined as a student returning to school after at least one semester of non-enrollment
For more information, please visit our Become a Scholar webpage, or email us at info@onemilliondegrees.org.
Am I eligible to apply and/or become an OMD scholar if I am undocumented?
Yes, undocumented students are welcome to apply and/or become an OMD scholar!
Can I apply if I’m not enrolled in City Colleges of Chicago?
While we have partnerships with other organizations outside of CCC, you cannot directly access the OMD program if you’re not enrolled in one of CCC’s colleges: Harold Washington College, Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Truman College, Olive Harvey College, Wilbur Wright College.
What if I don’t know for certain that I’m attending City Colleges of Chicago?
That’s totally fine! We ask that if your plans change at any point in your OMD application process and you are no longer attending community college in the fall, that you inform us as soon as possible so we may invite another awesome candidate to fill your spot.
Can I apply if I’m not a senior in high school?
OMD only accepts recent high school graduates, current community college students and returning adults. Keep us in mind for your senior year! We accept a new cohort of scholars every year. You can also join our student pipeline and we will contact you your senior year to find out if you are interested in joining OMD. Click here and join our future scholar pipeline.
My application will not submit—why not?
Save and re-open your application using Google Chrome or Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. If switching the browser does not work, please contact us.
What if I want to switch City College of Chicago campuses? Will I still have access to OMD supports?
You may be allowed to transfer into another campus’s OMD program, depending on the location and/or availability. Please talk to your Program Coordinator (PC) about your options.
OMD SCHOLAR
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“You know, everybody may have a different story, but we are all on the same path. We all have a goal.”
