EWU is proudly located in the heart of Chicago’s South Loop with entrances on Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue, directly across the street from Chicago’s famous Grant Park (see locations here).

816 S. Michigan Ave.                                                   829 S. Wabash Ave.

Chicago, IL 60605                                                        Chicago, IL 60605

Scholarships, grants, work-study, federal and private loans, and is an approved institution for the Department of Veteran Affairs’ GI Bill® (all financial aid opportunities are found here).

Only full-time students (taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per quarter) are eligible for one of the following scholarships except the Merit Scholarship, which can be combined with one additional scholarship.

All EWU scholarships will not exceed the direct cost of attendance (tuition and fees) when combined with federal grant awards such as the Pell Grant, Illinois MAP Awards, and basic Direct Loans (current packaged award amounts are based on the 2023-24 award year limits; amounts are subject to change upon review of the new award year packaging eligibility).

1. EWU’s Chicago Star Scholarship (for City Colleges of Chicago Transfer Students ONLY)
   1. EWU’s Transfer Student Scholarship (for students who transfer 30 or more credits from schools OTHER THAN a City College of Chicago school)
2. Merit 3 Student Scholarship
3. Merit 5 Student Scholarship

EWU has a very diverse student population and for that reason, EWU offers a variety of class options to fit every need.

EWU is a quarterly school, with open enrollment throughout the academic year.  We start new classes four times a year (Fall Quarter: September; Winter Quarter: January; Spring Quarter: April; Summer Quarter: July).

Classes run for approximately 11 weeks per quarter with the exception of the Summer quarter, which runs about 8 weeks.

EWU offers classes in-person with some limited availability of classes offered online (classes offered online vary from quarter to quarter).

Each class meets twice a week both Monday and Wednesday –OR- Tuesday and Thursday. Class times/sessions are shown below:

• 10:00am- 11:50am
• 12:00pm- 1:50pm
• 2:00pm- 3:50pm
• 4:00pm- 5:50pm
• 6:00pm- 7:50pm

Definition:

Quarterly-BasedSemester-Based School: A quarter-based school, also known as a quarter system, is a school that uses an academic calendar that is divided into three ten/eleven-week terms (instead of the traditional two 15-week semesters). The academic year usually runs from mid-September through early June, with the fourth quarter being summer. Students typically take 3-4 classes per quarter/term (about 12-16 credit hours, a full-time course load). EWU is a QUARTER-BASED university.

Semester-Based School: A semester system generally consists of two 15-week terms: one in the fall (followed by a winter break) and one in the spring (followed by a summer break). The average full-time student takes 4-5 courses per term, or roughly 15 credits. A semester school year typically starts in late August and concludes in early May.

For each 1-QUARTER CREDIT hour, this equals 2/3 of a SEMESTER HOUR.

Three academic quarters equal two academic semesters.  This 3 to 2 ratio can also be expressed as 1.5 = 1, giving us the conversion formulas listed below.

SEMESTER SYSTEM 16 credit hours per semester x 2 semesters per year = 32 credits per year. A two –year program equals approximately 60 credits; a four-year baccalaureate equals approximately 120 credits.

QUARTER SYSTEM 16 credit hours per quarter x 3 quarters per year = 48 credits per year.

A two-year program equals approximately 90 credits; a four-year baccalaureate equals approximately 180 credits.

The formulas used to calculate/convert the number of hours you earned at your school are listed below (you may also use this Quarter Hour to Semester Hour Conversion Chart for your reference):

GENERAL FORMULA FOR CONVERTING CREDITS

Convert quarter credits to semester credits:  Divide quarter credits by 1.5.

Examples:

3 quarter credits ÷ 1.5 = 2 semester credits

5 quarter credits ÷ 1.5 = 3.3 semester credits

180 quarter credits are equal to 120 semester credits (180 ÷ 1.5 = 120)

Convert semester credits to quarter credits: Multiply semester credits by 1.5.

Examples:

2 semester credits x 1.5 = 3 quarter credits

3 semester credits x 1.5 = 4.5  quarter credits

60 semester credits equal 90 quarter credits (60 x 1.5 = 90)

• Graduate in December?
  • You can start at EWU as soon as the upcoming January.
• Graduate in April?
  • You can start at EWU as soon as the upcoming May.
• Graduate in June?
  • You can start at EWU as soon as the upcoming July.
• Graduate in August?
  • You can start at EWU as soon as the upcoming September.

At EWU, regardless of your major and regardless of your academic level, every student should expect a very caring and genuine support team. Each student will have their own personal Support Services Team assigned to them and will be with them every step of their way, from before starting classes all the way through to graduation and beyond!

At EWU, students are BIG FISH in a SMALL POND! Although EWU is a smaller university, each student is able to grow to their fullest potential and achieve all that their hearts desire (with focus and commitment from the student along with utilizing the full support services from EWU, anything is possible).

Class sizes are designed to be offered in smaller groups so that students are not “lost in the mix” of a sea of faces (20:1 student/professor ratio, with an average class size of 16 students).

Students can expect very personalized, ONE-ON-ONE ATTENTION from everyone including: their admissions representative, financial aid officer, Registrar, Program Director, professors, tutors, CSA and Student Academic Advisor, Student Success Center therapists, campus security, librarians, bookstore associates, coaches, peer mentors, etc. Professors, tutors and peers are there to help keep students focused and on track inside the classroom, while the rest of the Support Services team is there to help guide the students on their paths towards graduation and beyond as the need for additional support is required outside the classroom.

Currently there are ten floors of on-campus living (“The Flats”). View the Flats Student Housing to learn more.

East-West University is a recognized as a “Receiving Institution” with the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). This means that if you have completed your Associate degree (92-quarter credit hours, or 60-62 semester hours), EWU will guarantee transfer of your successfully completed 92-quarter credit hour (or 60-62 semester hours) Associate degree, regardless of program! For more information on IAI, click here.

EWU may accept up to 132-quarter credit hours transferred in towards the completion of your Bachelor’s degree at EWU (48-quarter credit hours must be EWU residence- completed at EWU).

EWU offers a variety of extra-curricular activities for its students including some of the following:

1. 1. Digital Art Contest
   2. EWU’s Boxing Club
   3. Women’s Basketball
   4. Peer Mentorship Program
   5. Story Slam Competitions
   6. Men’s Basketball: The Phantoms
   7. Career Service Seminars & Workshops
   8. Women’s Volleyball: The Lady Phantoms
   9. Speaking Volumes (Student Group Discussion)
   10. Celebrating Students’ Small Businesses: Pop-up Events
   11. Discussions in Motion & Perspectives (Guest Speakers)
   12. Majorette Dance/Cheer Squad: The Prancing Phantoms
   13. Countless Programmatic field trips (including a week abroad!)

…And many more events, get-togethers, and activities!   

EWU has many different amenities and services for its students. A few of these items are listed below:

1. 1. One yoga room
   2. Full-service library on-site
   3. Two weight/cardio rooms
   4. Two full-sized auditoriums
   5. Life-long career services
   6. Robust Tutoring Program
   7. Peer Mentorship Program
   8. Assigned Program Director
   9. The Burger Alley Restaurant
   10. One-to-One individual attention
   11. Full-sized basketball court/gym
   12. Biology and Genetics laboratories
   13. 10 floors of dormitories (The Flats)
   14. Computer Technology laboratories
   15. Student-discounted parking stickers
   16. Electronic Engineering Technology laboratories
   17. Student Academic Advisor (Counseling and Student Affairs)
   18. Student Success Center (licensed, professional counselors on staff)
   19. The Student’s L Lounge (student activity center: pool table, table tennis, computer stations, couches and lounge furniture, vending machines, etc.)
   20. Walking distance of Grant Park (across the street on Michigan Ave.), Chicago’s South-loop dining and attractions (including but not limited to the Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, the Mag Mile, etc.)
   21. Conference rooms (including the 17^th floor “Skyline Room” and “Lake Room” with balcony)
   22. Ventra Card (issuance to all actively enrolled students during the quarter in which they are taking classes)
   23. …And many more!

East-West University offers Associate and Bachelor degrees in over seven disciplines. You can uncover your passions within the fields of Behavioral & Social Sciences, Biology, Business, Computer Information Sciences, Electronic Engineering Technology, English & Communication, and Mathematics. Discover your niche within these fields by exploring our Transfer Program Worksheets here.

Transfer credits always depend upon the “receiving” institution. EWU credits are transferable because EWU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (learn more about EWU’s HLC accreditation here), so the quarter credit hours earned are approved for transfer. However, the amount of credits you can transfer would depend upon the policy at your new school and their graduate program requirements (please speak to a graduate admissions counselor at your new school for their particular credit transfer policy).

EWU has a variety of work-study and internship opportunities available to students who qualify.

EWU is a Title IV school and because of this, EWU students that qualify can participate in the Federal Work Study program. EWU also offers a paid in-school internship program that students may participate in during a given quarter. Additionally, students can earn college credit through one of the Cooperative Education courses offered throughout the year.

EWU students/alumni also receive “life-long” career services through the CSA office.

EWU is a multicultural and diverse university. Students come from all different backgrounds (socioeconomic, ethnic, geographic location, age groups, etc.)

EWU is recognized as a MSI and HSI (Minority-Serving Institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution- for more info, click here), and is represented by students and faculty from over 32 countries.

As a student, you are assigned to your own admissions representative, student academic advisor, program director and financial aid counselor. Your supportive services team will be with you from the time before you start at EWU up to and after graduation. The support services available as an EWU student are free to take advantage of and are highly recommended to achieve your graduation goals and beyond.

EWU was founded on the belief that all people (regardless of their background) deserve a high quality, affordable education, which they can pursue with support if needed and achieve their dreams at a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities. EWU believes that communication is key and the development of relationships between the students and the university are essential for student success.

Full transparency, continued education, constant communication, registration reviews, program planning sessions, transcript evaluations, extra-curricular activities, peer and professor mentorship, tutoring, therapy, etc. are only some of the ingredients required for student success and what may be expected of EWU to deliver to each of its students.