Aurora University Athletic Scholarships
A merger between Aurora College and George Williams College, Aurora University has two campuses and an educational center. The 37-acre main campus in Aurora, Illinois offers 40 undergraduate majors and 39 minors, and comprehensive graduate programs. The George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin is a 133-acre wooded setting conducive for internships, volunteerism, and community social services. It offers 14 degree programs and graduate programs in education, social work, parks and recreation, and environmental management being offered, including an RN to BSN program. Woodstock Center at the center of McHenry County, on the other hand, offers weekend and evening programs in nursing, business, social work, and criminal justice, plus an adult degree completion program.
Aurora University has about 4,400 undergraduate and graduate students; 86% of its 471 full-time and part-time professors are terminal degree holders. Faculty to student ratio is 1:15 for Aurora and 1:10 for George Williams.
The University’ accreditations include: the bachelor, master’s and doctoral levels by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; the baccalaureate nursing program (full accreditation) and Master of Science in Nursing program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); and the College of Education programs of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Athletics Department of Aurora University
Aurora University’s mission statement and core values are integrated in its athletic program. The University instills in their student-athletes such values as sportsmanship, leadership, determination, fair play and ethical conduct, and respect for staff, coaches, game officials, teammates, opponents and fans during competitions. They are expected to give their best performance not only in the field or court but in the classroom as well.
The University is committed not only to develop the academic potential of its students but also to hone their athletic abilities by supporting them through quality coaching, better equipment and modern facilities. The Spartan Club, a voluntary membership of alumni, family and friends who give monetary donations on a yearly basis, helps the Athletics Department in enhancing the quality of their athletic programs.
Athletics Programs of Aurora University
Aurora University offers a well-rounded athletic program from which student-athletes can gain important life skills and core values. With the 39% of men and 12% of women playing varsity sports, Aurora University fields 20 teams that compete in the NCAA Division III -Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Aurora’s sports program covers men’s football, soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, baseball, golf, cross country, and track and field. Women’s sports, on the other hand, include cross country, track and field, volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, golf, and cheer and dance.
The majority of the student-athletes also render community service and participate in various other programs on a yearly basis.
Official Sports Team: AU Spartans
The AU Spartans, the University’s official sports team, has been making conference championship history in both men’s and women’s athletics. Since 2006 the Spartan men’s teams have bagged the NACC-All Sports award four years out of five, while the women’s teams were in the top five every single year. Also, 750 student-athletes have been named to the Academic All-Conference, 37 to the Academic All-Region, and five to the Academic All-Americans.
Aurora University has placed 231 Spartans on the All-Conference teams, 89 on the NCAA All-Region teams, 18 on All-American teams, 32 Conference Player of the Year awards, 17 Freshmen of the Year, three Academic All-Americans, two NAC Man of the Year and one NAC Woman of the Year. 43% of Spartan’s sophomore, junior and senior student-athletes had been named NCAA Scholar-Athletes.
Guide to Athletic Scholarships for Aurora University
Being an NCAA Division III member, Aurora University per se does not offer athletic scholarships. However, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference gives out the annual NACC Scholar-Athlete Award to full-time student-athletes who compete in the conference and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 for the current academic year.
>All University students can apply for merit scholarships and grants and more than 95% of students do receive merit aid. These are need-based and academic-based scholarships, financial aid packages and loan opportunities that are available in Illinois and Wisconsin residents or out-of-state students, in varying amounts. On the other hand, the University’s federal work-study program give students’ part-time jobs to help pay education expenses. Both full-time and part-time students-athletes may avail of the University’s financial aid.