The Chronic Illness Initiative

  • Introduction
  • From the Director
  • The CII Advisor
  • Program Features
  • Symposium
  • CII Student Handbook
  • Meet and Greet Video (iTunes Required)
  • Donate to the Chronic Illness Initiative
  • Useful Links
  • Send Page To a Friend


    Welcome! The Chronic Illness Initiative (CII) provides access to higher education for students disabled by a chronic illness. Students who struggle with illnesses that unpredictably increase and decrease in severity such as asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or illnesses with frequent hospitalizations such as cancer or heart disease, may have found it difficult, if not impossible, to meet the requirements of a conventional college program.

    At the School for New Learning, staff and faculty work every day with students who have complex lives. They are compassionate and committed to helping CII students achieve their educational goals.

    The CII offers services to students with chronic illness so they may complete SNL requirements and earn a DePaul University degree. A chronic illness is one that typically involves waxing and waning symptoms that interfere with the student’s ability to physically engage successfully in a college program. Students with illnesses that can better be served by the PLuS program (for students with learning disabilities), or the Office of Students with Disabilities will be referred to those programs. Whether or not a student is appropriate for the CII program is based on a determination by CII program officials that the individual facts and circumstances fit the supports offered by the program. Contact Us

    Please help the Chronic Illness Initiative. We need your help to continue offering our vitally important services to our students. Please consider making a donation online using our secure service. Donate Here, select the "Other" option and specify The Chronic Illness Initiative. Or make your check payable to: DePaul University Chronic Illness Initiative, and send your gift to: DePaul University, Office of Development, 1 East Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-2287

    Thank you for your invaluable support.

    Program Features
    • Buddy Program: New students are connected with a current SNL student who can answer questions, serve as a mentor and provide support.

    • No Minimum Requirements: Students may take as many or as few courses as they can handle. There is no limit on the length of time to complete a degree. A student may also be inactive for a quarter or more if necessary. Note: Financial Aid does have course load and time length requirements.

    • Informed Faculty and Staff: Faculty and staff receive regular information about the CII and its policies.

    • Access to all University services, including Financial Aid, Career Counseling and the office of Students with Disabilities.

    • SNL Online: CII students have the option to earn an undergraduate degree without ever visiting campus.

    • Scholarship: The CII awards two scholarships each August. Apply here.

    • Symposium: An annual Symposium on Chronic Illness and Postsecondary Education at which professionals and students from across the country share information and experience.  (Adobe Reader Required)

       Symposium Program   /   Speaker Information   /    Symposium Information      
       
    • Inside Track: This program is designed for students with chronic illness aged 18-23 who are interested in earning a degree or who would like to explore the college experience within the supportive environment of the Chronic Illness Initiative. Inside Track allows students to participate fully in all aspects of the DePaul experience while receiving assistance to transition into a college environment, develop self-determination and self-advocacy skills, and acquire the abilities necessary to complete the self-directed degree program. Inside Track requires that students take LL 102 Learning Assessment Seminar, LL 150 Academic Writing for Adults, LL 155 Critical Thinking, and FA 363 Advocacy and Self Determination before taking LL250 Foundations of Adult Learning. All these courses apply to the degree.

    To join the CII, you must first be an SNL student or currently applying to SNL. To sign up, please download this form , complete it and send it along with the HIPAA release form to the CII Advisor or by fax and regular mail to the number or address on the form.

    Useful Links
    The following links may be of interest to students with chronic illness. Please be aware that we are unable to monitor these sites and are not responsible for their content. If you know of an organization that should be listed here please contact us at CII@depaul.edu

    Local:

     Research:

    Resources: