Rockford University, Rock Valley College, and Rockford Promise Expand Transfer Pathway for Local Students

Rockford University, Rock Valley College, and Rockford Promise Expand Transfer Pathway for Local Students

07/24/2026 5:05 pm

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 [email protected] or 815-226-4050.