Policies and Resources

Registration and Fees

Payment: For programs that are not paid in full at the time of registration, a $100 deposit is required. Failure to submit the final payment on or before May 31, 2023 will result in the registration being canceled and the deposit forfeited. 

Deposit: All deposits are fully refundable until May 15th, 2023. After this date, if final payments are not received, the deposit will be forfeited. All deposits are applied to the final cost of a program. 

Refund Policy: Full (100 percent) refunds of final payments are provided until 14 days before the start of a program. Partial refunds (50 percent) are provided within 13 days before a program start date. No refunds are provided on or after the start of a program. 

Age Requirements and Vaccines (in-person programs)

Students participating in residential summer programs must be 15 to 17 years of age at the start of a program.

Students participating in high school day or online summer programs must be 14 years of age at the start of a program.

Students participating in middle school summer programs must be 11 years of age at the start of a program

All students participating in in-person programs must be fully vaccinated and booster two weeks prior to the start of a program.

For Students

Elevate College Prep programs are an excellent opportunity to engage in academically rigorous activities, experience independence on a world-class university campus, and make friendships that last a lifetime. Like Illinois Tech undergraduate students, Elevate College Prep students are held to high behavioral standards to ensure the health and safety of the community.

Participating in an Elevate College Prep Residential Program?

What should I bring? 

  • Computer (optional)
  • Writing supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, etc.) 
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Water bottle 
  • Shampoo, soap, and other personal toiletries 
  • Linens are provided but students are able to bring additional bedding if needed 
  • Power strip (optional)
  • Beach towel 
  • Clothing hangers (optional) 
  • Robe (optional) 

What should I not bring? 

  • Alcohol/illegal substances
  • Candles or incense 
  • Hot plates 
  • Extension cords and outlet splitters 

A complete list of what not to bring can be found online

What clothing should I bring? 

  • Clothing for a variety of weather conditions 
  • Swimsuit 
  • Workout clothes 
  • Rain gear and umbrella 
  • Two business casual outfits; example: khakis and a polo are acceptable (Business Bootcamp only)
  • Comfortable shoes 
  • Shower shoes 
  • Sleepwear 
  • Extra undergarments and socks 
  • A set of clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty

For Parents

Health and Safety

The health and safety of the Illinois Tech community, including Elevate College Prep participants, is of the utmost importance. Elevate College Prep students are chaperoned at a 10:1 ratio for all day and residential summer programs. All online program classroom spaces are monitored by a member of the Elevate College Prep team.

In the case of medical emergencies, Elevate College Prep students will be transported to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, located at 2525 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616. 

Online Security

Illinois Tech takes the security of online summer program participants very seriously. Online summer programs use a variety of online platforms; online classroom spaces have a unique classroom link and are password-protected, and they are continually monitored by instructors and the Elevate College Prep team.

Public Safety

Please refer to our Public Safety website for additional information regarding campus safety policies and procedures. We encourage all summer program attendees to store Public Safety’s emergency number on their personal phones:

Mies Campus: 312.808.6363

Rice (Wheaton) Campus: 630.682.6054

Pre-College Program participants will be supervised by trained Illinois Tech professional staff, faculty, or Elevate College Prep interns at all times during the course of their programs. 

Activities Involving Minors

Pre-employment background checks, including criminal history, are a condition of employment for all newly hired or rehired professional staff and faculty members at Illinois Tech. Pre-employment background checks are also a requirement of Elevate College Prep interns. Please reference Illinois Tech’s policies on Pre-Employment Background Checks and Activities Involving Minors

Title IX and Reporting Structures

All faculty and staff that interact with minors during summer programs are required to complete the Title IX and Working with Minors training. This will be emailed to all faculty and staff involved in summer programs in the spring semester before programs begin. 

Please reference Title IX at Illinois Tech for more information and reporting procedures. 

Instructor Training

All faculty and staff instructing summer programs are required to take the Title IX and Working with Minors training. 

For Instructors

Addressing Behavioral Issues

Summer program attendees are expected to adhere to the Illinois Tech Summer Programs Community Standards. Safety is a top priority, and students must follow these expectations to ensure the well being of the community. Any rule violation will result in some level of adjudication. If a student is found committing a violation, he or she will be required to meet with a member of the professional staff, who will then decide the best course of action. Students found committing major infractions will be sent home. No refunds will be granted for conduct related dismissals.

Title IX Reporting Structures

All faculty and staff who interact with minors during summer programs are required to complete the Title IX and Working with Minors training. This will be emailed to all faculty and staff involved in summer programs in the spring semester before programs begin. 

Please reference Title IX at Illinois Tech for more information and reporting procedures. 

Attendance Requirements

Elevate College Prep participants are expected to attend the entirety of their designated summer program, including all class times and out-of-class activities. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis by Elevate College Prep staff and instructors; this is contingent upon written approval from a parent/guardian to precollege@iit.edu sent at least two business days in advance. In the case of emergencies, the approval process will be expedited.