The Engineering Transfer Gateway offered at Moraine Valley is a smart and cost-effective way to guarantee transfer admission in a bachelors degree program. The college has agreements with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Tech guaranteeing admission after the completion of Moraine鈥檚 Associate in Engineering Science degree.
The typical applicant has earned mostly A's in high school and has excelled in science and math courses in their senior year.
Upcoming Engineering Program Information Sessions:
Follow these Steps to Apply for the Engineering Transfer Gateway
- Complete the Moraine Valley and obtain your Moraine Valley student ID number. Be sure to select AES (Associate in Engineering Science) on your Moraine Valley admission application.
- Engineering Transfer Gateway applicants must complete a proctored ALEKS math placement exam. You will need a Moraine student ID number in order to sit for the exam.
- The Grainger School of Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign requires a composite score of 76 out of 100 in order to apply. Scores for Grainger must be dated within 6 months of application.
- All AES students should attain math placement scores of one the following: an ALEKs score of 76, an ACT score of 26 or above, or an SAT score of 600 or above in order to register for Calculus.
Students who score a 38鈥75 on ALEKS should consider registering for MTH-141 (College Algebra) and MTH-142 (Trigonometric Functions). Successful completion of both courses (grade of C or above) allows students to begin Calculus the following semester. To stay on track for transfer after the second year, students are encouraged to complete these courses in the summer prior to starting the Engineering program in the fall.
Although MTH-141 is listed as a prerequisite for MTH-142, students in this score range are approved to take both courses concurrently. Students will need to call or visit the Registration Office to enroll in both courses at the same time.
Students placing between 38鈥51 are also required to enroll in the MTH-083 supplemental support co-requisite course along with MTH-141.
ALEKS has a Prep & Learn tool to help students who may want to increase their scores. To take full advantage of this tool, applicants should take the first ALEKS placement test soon after they have received their SAT or ACT results.
*Note: Moraine Valley applications for the fall semester open in February, in order to take the ALEKS exam before February please contact Dr. Helen Wood at woodh5@morainevalley.edu for assistance.
Information about the college's Testing Services and Testing Center can be found here. When scheduling online, under 鈥渃hoose an exam鈥 select 鈥楻eading, English, OR Math Placement鈥, then search for ALEKS. You may contact the Testing Center (708) 974-5309 to schedule a proctored exam.
Application Deadline:
Applications to Grainger are due the spring before the first semester at Moraine Valley.听To meet the听April 5, 2026听Engineering Pathways application deadline, it is recommended that the ALEKS placement process is started as soon as possible. Please remember that testing spots fill fast, so please do not wait until the last minute.
Submit the听听(available mid-January).
You will need your Moraine Valley student ID number to complete the Engineering Pathways application. If you have not yet applied to Moraine Valley, please do so now by completing the听.
Students who missed the April 5 Pathways application deadline may submit an Intent to Pursue Pathways application. Students must successfully complete the same Year-1 coursework and requirements. For more information and access to the application, click . Applications must be submitted no later than听Jan. 31.
Program Benefits
- Guaranteed admission into the as a junior
- Moraine Valley tuition and fees for the first two years - save over $30,000 on your UIUC Engineering degree!
- Welcome Activity at UIUC
- Enrichment Activity - A week-long research experience on UIUC's campus
- Bridge to U of I Educational Experience - Take classes at UIUC between your time at Moraine Valley and your first semester at UIUC
- Opportunity to participate in the UIUC College of Engineering James Scholar Honors Program
- Internships
- Career development opportunities
- Opportunity to participate in STEM competitions and engineering-related activities with your Engineering Pathways peers
Eligibility
Admission is competitive to ensure students entering the program are the most likely to succeed. Applicants must be high school seniors who plan to enroll听as first-time college students for the fall semester.
Final decisions regarding admission, continuation, and standing in the program rests with the program鈥檚 review committee at UIUC.
Students can terminate their participation in the program听at any time. Re-admission to the program is not allowed.
Profile of a Typical UIUC Engineering Transfer Pathway Applicant
鈥 Earn mostly A鈥檚 in high school courses.
鈥 Excel in advanced math and science courses in听senior year.
鈥 Competitive ACT or SAT scores (composite听and subject areas).
鈥 Participate in activities such as Project Lead the Way听or Engineering by Design classes, First Robotics听competitions, scout STEM programs, or any听engineering-related summer jobs or听 internships.
鈥 Write a strong essay describing your interest in听participating in the Engineering Pathways Program.
Once admitted to Moraine Valley鈥檚 Engineering Transfer Gateway, students must:
鈥 Be enrolled full-time and complete all requirements in听two听years
鈥 Strive to earn A鈥檚.
James Scholar Honors Program
UIUC Engineering Pathways completers are eligible for the James Scholar Honors Program. The program gives them access to honors courses, faculty advisors, and one of the earliest time tickets for future registration. Eligible students need to submit an honors contract during their first semester as juniors at the Grainger College of Engineering.
- 3.5 or above final GPA: Admission to James Scholar Honors Program
- 3.8 or above final GPA: Admission to James Scholar Honors Program and Merit Scholarship
Application Deadline:
Transfer applications are due the summer before the beginning of the second year at Moraine Valley.听 Students should apply through the transfer portal on the Illinois Tech website:
Program Benefits
- Guaranteed admission into the Armour School of Engineering at Illinois Tech as a junior.
- $25,000 transfer scholarship for your junior and senior year, Moraine Valley tuition and fees for your freshman and sophomore years.
- Small class sizes taught by expert faculty
- Interprofessional projects 鈥 opportunities to solve real world problems.
- Armour Research and Development Program
- Armour Academy for Experiential Learning and Student Success 鈥 professional advisors and industry mentors
- Opportunity to complete an Accelerated Master鈥檚 Program.
Eligibility
Admission is competitive. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 in all engineering courses.
Final decisions regarding admission, continuation and standing in the program rests with Illinois Tech.
Once admitted to Moraine Valley鈥檚 Engineering Transfer Gateway, students should:
- Be enrolled full-time and complete all requirements in two years
- Maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA
