Home Consumer Information Estimated Cost of Attendance (2018 - 2019) Year 1 Direct Educational Expenses $48,072 Living Expenses Total: $19,290 or $2,143/month Year 2 Direct Educational Expenses $62,072 Living Expenses Total: $25,720 or $2,143/month Year 3 Direct Educational Expenses $57,241 Living Expenses Total: $25,720 or $2,143/month Year 4 Direct Educational Expenses $45,877 Living Expenses Total: $25,720 or $2,143/month

Home Consumer Information Campus Conduct Policy and Title IX Guidelines CAMPUS CONDUCT POLICY Illinois College of Optometry is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and any conduct that prohibits conduct which prevents free academic interaction and opportunities or which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive study or work environment. The ICO Campus Conduct policy addresses all forms of misconduct. Recent US Department of Education regulations specify Title IV recipient institutions (those participating in Federal Financial Aid programs, and this includes ICO) implement a prescribed process for the investigation and resolution of Title IX related complaints of misconduct. The Campus Conduct policy to follow will describe the institution’s policies and processes for both Title IX related complaints and non-Title IX related complaints. Sexual harassment and racial harassment have been held to constitute a form of discrimination that is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1977. Other types of harassment or discrimination (age, religious, national origin, disability or other protected status) are prohibited by applicable state and federal law or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies. Title IX states that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." ICO's Title IX Coordinator: Michael Butz TitleIX@ico.edu 312-949-7311 If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of general campus misconduct, a report may be made utilizing the following resources: Email: TitleIX@ico.edu Phone: 312-949-7444 (Title IX hotline may be used for incidents of general campus misconduct) Phone: 312-949-7225 (the ICO Phone: Compliance Tip Line may also be used for reporting) In Person: Michael R. Butz, Sr. Director of Compliance, Risk Mgmt. & Quality Improvement, 312-949-7311 , Office 1211 Beth Karmis, Asst. Dean for Student Success, 312-949-7415 , Room 2721 Milissa Bartold, Sr. Director for Strategy & Administrative Technology Mgmt., 312-949-7440 , Office 2125 Campus Conduct Policy (PDF) Training References for the Title IX Team ICO Title IX Policy, 2024

Home Consumer Information Veterans Benefits with Financial Aid & Shopping Sheet Use of Financial Aid with Veteran Benefits Financial aid can be used along with VA veteran education benefits. One-on-one assistance is available in the Financial Aid Office to help you understand the various types of aid potentially available to help you finance your education. In order to receive financial aid, all students must go to studentaid.gov and: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and list ICO (school code 001689) on their FAFSA. All students will need a FSA ID ( studentaid.gov ) to complete a FAFSA. For eligibility requirements, please click here . For the upcoming school year (fall term through summer term), the FAFSA opens on October 1st so students should aim to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after this date. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, review your ICO email account frequently as any additional requirements/information needed by the Financial Aid Office to complete the processing of your application will be sent to you via email. Estimating Cost of Attendance You can find our estimated cost of attendance at: https://www.ico.edu/estimated-cost-of-attendance-2024-2025 Financial Aid Shopping Sheet The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet below is an example of the Shopping Sheet that will be customized for you, once you are accepted to Illinois College of Optometry, based on the information you submit on your FAFSA. The cost of attendance and the financial aid award amounts are the maximum provided students. Your amounts may be adjusted if you are awarded an academic scholarship or have other outside scholarships. Since academic scholarships are based on merit and not need, we do not include them here. The Shopping Sheets also do not reflect any VA benefits since the amount received is dependent upon the benefit type being used. You can use the VA’s GI Bill® Benefits Comparison Tool to determine the best VA benefit for you. FA Shopping Sheet 2024-25 GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill .

Home • Events • White Coat Ceremony White Coat Ceremony A rite of passage for every beginning doctor White Coat Ceremony White Coat Project Practice Opportunities Commencement Homecoming Every year, we celebrate our students as they transition from lab work (where they mostly practice in student pairs) to work in the clinic (where they meet current IEI patients.) This ceremony serves as a reminder of their commitment both to optometry and to their patients. By donning their white coats and swearing the optometric oath, they reinforce their dedication to the patients they will serve in Illinois Eye Institute and beyond. Live Stream the Ceremony Look Back Videos Frozen Moments on Flickr Live Event on YT Today is all about our next journey into patient care. . . The more that we practice our skills the more we can build better relationships and have greater outcome after each exam. -Emily Strand, Class of 2024 Relive past white coat ceremonies.

Home • Events • Practice Opportunities Symposium Practice Opportunities Symposium Network with alumni, leaders in the field White Coat Ceremony White Coat Project Practice Opportunities Commencement Homecoming There is no better way for ICO students to network with optometric professionals than to attend the Practice Opportunities Symposium. They connect with Optometrists and industry representatives who give them glimpses into their possible future. Students will hear from industry professionals, visit exhibits, network . . . There are so many ways to learn what life will be like after graduation at the Practice Opportunities Symposium! Network in-person with industry pros. Learn about your future career. What do students have to say? Watch Video on YouTube I truly believe the possibilities of what the people you meet can do for you (at the Practice Opportunities Symposium) are endless. -Aaron Tai, OD '17 28th Annual Practice Opportunities Symposium Friday, April 11, 2025 AGENDA: 12:30 - 1:30 pm - Panelist and Moderator Luncheon 1:00 - 2:00 pm - Registration and Student Lunch 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Educational Program 4:00 - 6:30pm - Networking Event 6:00 pm - Raffle In the morning, a virtual educational component focusing on the various modes of practice available to ICO students upon graduation will be held. After, the in-person networking reception will take place from 2-5pm. Raffle begins at 4:30. Students will network in person, talk to optometric professionals about practice opportunities and advances in the field, including technology and the latest products. Discover the many ways you can practice as a Doctor of Optometry

Catherine Home • In the Classroom • Faculty • Catherine Niermann, OD, MS, FAAO Catherine Niermann, OD, MS, FAAO Assistant Professor of Optometry Email: CNiermann@ico.edu Part Time Faculty Kaori Asano, OD Eric Baas, OD Stephen Beckerman, OD, FAAO Pamela Boyce, OD Grace Castells, OD Kara Crumbliss, OD Robert Donati, PhD Helen M. Gabriel, OD, FAAO Colleen Govekar, OD David Gurka, PhD, MD Dennis Ireland, OD, M Ed Karina Langle, OD Taryn Majewski, OD Michelle K. Man, OD, FAAO, FSLS Joseph McCray, OD Erik Mothersbaugh, OD, FAAO Catherine Niermann, OD, MS, FAAO Nathan Okano, OD Mary Flynn Roberts, OD Rahnuma Saiyed, OD, FAAO Louise Sclafani, OD Shmaila Tahir, OD Alex Tan, OD Bruce Teitelbaum, OD Michael Zost, OD Why ICO? ICO has a longstanding reputation for extraordinary patient-centered care, top notch student education, and a growing research scene. Each student, faculty member, and staff member I encounter demonstrates their compassion for the field of optometry and their willingness to be a part of the team. Biography Dr. Niermann earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her doctor of optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She went on to complete a residency in low vision rehabilitation with a secondary concentration in ocular disease from the University of California- Berkeley. Prior to joining ICO, she worked at a private practice, taught at the University of Missouri- St. Louis College of Optometry, and provided direct care in low vision rehabilitation at the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Niermann frequently lectures at the local and national level on how to maximize patient outcomes by providing evidence based and compassionate care. Dr. Niermann earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in Health Communication where she aims to continue lifelong learning to benefit her students, her patients, and herself. Special Interests Primary Eye Care, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Health Communication Education 2014 University of California-Berkeley, Residency 2013 Southern College of Optometry, OD 2009 University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, BS Experience 2024 - Present: Spectrios Institute for Low Vision 2022 - Present Illinois College of Optometry 2022 Wilmer Eye Center at the Johns Hopkins Hospital 2015 - 2021 University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Optometry 2014 - 2015 private practice Awards & Honors 2012 Gold Key International Society, Southern College of Optometry 2011 – 2013 Beta Sigma Kappa, Southern College of Optometry 2013 Low Vision Award, Southern College of Optometry Class of 2013 Award 2009 - 2013 Dr. William Cochran Endowed Scholarship, Southern College of Optometry 2012 J. Pat Cummings Fellowship, Vistakon Professional Organizations American Academy of Optometry Publications

ICO is excited to partner with several undergraduate institutions to offer an accelerated entry into our optometry program. Home • Admissions • Applying to ICO • 3+4 Program 3+4 Program Accelerate your entry into optometry school 3+4 Program Due Dates & Pre-Reqs Entering Class Profile Interview Day International Admissions Every year, we welcome a few exceptional students from several 3+4 programs to ICO. As a student in this program, you will complete three years of undergraduate course work and then join ICO for the next four years. Breakdown of 3+4 Program This program is called 3+4 because, you will spend three years as an undergraduate and then join ICO for the next four years. In most cases, after your first year at ICO, you will have completed the requirements to receive a bachelor's degree* from your undergraduate institution. After completing the next three years of successful coursework, you will graduate as a Doctor of Optometry. This academically intensive program is particularly beneficial if you enter your bachelor’s knowing that you want to be a Doctor of Optometry. When you arrive at ICO, you will already have gained three years of invaluable experience. Historically, we have seen students in these programs perform well above average in our program. As a 3+4 student, you’ve already taken on an accelerated curriculum and succeeded. *Most undergraduate institutions will require you to maintain a 3.2 or higher to participate in this program. Additional Benefits Participating in a 3+4 program provides significant financial benefits by allowing you to forgo one year of undergraduate tuition. That means you'll graduate a year earlier, and you'll have an extra year of income as an optometrist. Am I eligible to apply? To participate in this program, you will need to meet several requirements. You will work directly with our Senior Director of Admissions and our Dean of Student Affairs (also a 3+4 graduate) to ensure you are on the right path. You will also need to work closely with your school's pre-health advisor. Timing is key within this program. In particular, two milestones are important: You will need to talk to your pre-health advisor during the fall term of your freshman year. You will need to talk to them as soon as possible to ensure all requirements are met within three years. In most cases, you will need to register within your 3+4 program by the spring semester of your freshman year. This will allow you to meet all ICO course requirements before applying. Since you are part of an accelerated course, you need to carefully consider when you to take the OAT. Talk to your pre-health advisor to identify what time frame makes sense for you. In addition to these two important milestones, we always encourage students to participate in shadowing opportunities before fully committing to optometry school. This will likely need to be done during the summer between Sophomore and Junior year, although it can also be completed before this. Participating Undergraduate Schools ICO partners with the following colleges for their 3+4 program: Illinois Institute of Technology Augustana College Aurora University Wisconsin Lutheran College North Carolina Central University Elmhurst University Knox College Concordia University Wisconsin Frequently asked questions Why should I consider a 3+4 program? If you are fully committed to optometry, this program gives you the opportunity to forgo a year of undergraduate tuition and arrive ready for four years of optometry school. Once you graduate, you will also be in the workforce one year earlier than your peers. This results in both tuition savings and the opportunity to grow your career more quickly. When should I start thinking about a 3+4 program? If you want to participate in a 3+4 program, you should work on gathering information even before you arrive at your chosen university. ICO partners with a select number of undergraduate institutions and to ensure that all requirements are completed you need to be registered in a 3+4 program by your second semester of the first year. How do I register for a 3+4 program? Since you will need to meet several requirements in a short amount of time, you will need to work closely with your school's pre-health advisor to ensure these are completed in a timely manner. You’ll also work closely with our admissions team who will guide you through the ICO admissions requirements. When should I take the OAT? In most cases, students participating in a 3+4 program will take the OAT during the summer between sophomore and junior year. It can take quite a while to prep and study for the OAT, so you should integrate exam prep into your classroom load during the second semester of sophomore year. Office of Admissions CONTACT P. 312-949-7407 E admissions@ico.edu LOCATION Illinois College of Optometry Office of Admissions 3241 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60616 CONNECT

Home • Committed to Your Vision • Primary Eye Care Center Primary Eye Care Center State of the art eye care for all. Wesley Research Center The EyePod Residential Complex Library Gym For over 150 years, we have trained exceptional optometrists. This is in large part because of our wonderful patient base. More than 70% of our patients begin their journey with us in the Primary Care Center. In order to serve our patients and students to the best of our ability we have taken on an ambitious renovation project, implementing the latest in technological advances and state of the art equipment. We will continue graduating outstanding optometrists, but to do so we need to provide them with the best tools to prepare for their and optometry's future. Here is a look at the new Primary Care Center. If you’re interested in donating to the project, please contact development@ico.edu. Innovating to provide better care and training. Throughout IEI, our students work closely with preceptors. There is a need to streamline these consultations and to improve flow throughout the primary care center. New technology and consultation suites will improve efficiency and efficacy. Meeting the needs of our patient population is always the top priority for ICO. Our patient base is complex, and we need the latest technological advances train students to the best of our ability. With 70% of our patients entering the IEI through the primary care center, an investment must be made so that we can continue providing exceptional care. Help us change people's lives and prepare leaders who will change the field of optometry. To learn more about our patients, check out our patient stories .

Lisa Young, OD '05 My Priorities Lisa Young, OD ’05, started out as a “career woman.” She aspired to be the most knowledgeable clinician possible, specializing in glaucoma and taking leadership roles in professional organizations. Of course, she’s more than a clinician. Dr. Young has taken on many titles- world traveler, wife, mother, and mentor. She credits ICO with helping her have it all. The complex cases Dr. Young saw in the Illinois Eye Institute prepared her for the job she has today. At Chicago Glaucoma Consultants, she works on everything from urgent care to post-ops. “Every day feels a little bit different,” she says. No matter what each day brings, though, Dr. Young is always prepared. When she and her husband decided to start a family, Dr. Young’s work-life balance shifted. “Our needs have changed,” she says. As a trusted, essential part of her workplace, Dr. Young was empowered to take a step back for family. “We all have different passions, different priorities, different loves,” says Dr. Young. By being made at ICO, she can pursue the things she values most. Listen to the Podcast to Learn More

Home • Admissions • Funding your O.D. Funding for Illinois College of Optometry Why ICO? Visit ICO Applying to ICO Funding Your O.D. Your Doctor of Optometry degree is an investment in your future. In most cases, this means you will need financial aid to help realize your goals. We know the process can be overwhelming, but we're here to walk you through it every step of the way. Here are a few great places to start. Federal Aid Most students will take out some sort of loans to complete optometry school. There are many options for funding your OD. We have listed the most popular here. Federal Aid Options ICO Scholarships We have access to nearly a half-million dollars in scholarships. First year students have access to scholarships on a "first-come-first-serve" basis (so apply early!) View Scholarship Info Your financial award will cover 100% of your expenses during your journey to O.D. 0% Loan default rate $500K Access to nearly in scholarships. Funding Your O.D. Graduate education is an investment, but you can leave knowing you are well prepared for whatever the future will bring. Explore More Financial Aid Office CONTACT P. 312-949-7445 E. finaid@ico.edu LOCATION Illinois College of Optometry Office of Admissions 3241 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60616 CONNECT Mail

Home Consumer Information Institution Grading * Pages 50-53 of the Student Guide The following is the official College grading scale. In special circumstances, faculty members may seek approval from academic administration to use an alternate grading scale, so students should refer to each course syllabus for more details. At ICO, final course grades are calculated exactly as earned according to the grading scale. Grades will not be rounded under any circumstances. Grades issued by the Illinois College of Optometry are: *Applicable only to specifically identified courses. The grades I, IP, H, S, U, W, AS, AU, and NC are not used for calculation of the student's grade point average. For final grades that do contribute to the student’s grade point average, in the case of retaken courses, all grades will remain on the academic transcript, but only the most recent course grade will be included in the student’s grade point average. Special Grade Descriptions I = Course work is not complete. An incomplete grade is issued only when requirements specified in the course syllabus are not completed. An incomplete grade must be removed by the end of the second week of the following quarter (including Summer) or it will automatically be changed to an ‘F’ or ‘U’. Under extenuating circumstances, and only with the approval of the appropriate Assistant Dean or Student Promotions Committee, this time period may be extended up to one (1) year from the date the ‘I’ grade is given. If an extension is granted, the I grade is temporarily replaced by an ‘IP’ grade. W = Authorized withdrawal from course prior to completing all course requirements. AS = Advanced Standing indicates that the student has been exempted from taking a course, as determined by the appropriate Assistant Dean, by virtue of having passed an equivalent course with a grade of ‘B’ or above at another institution or having successfully passed a proficiency examination on this course work at ICO. AU = An ‘AU’ grade is awarded after successful completion of an audit course. Audit courses receive no academic transcript credit, nor is there any tuition assessed for the course. Students are not responsible for exams, assignments/homework, or optional course activities, but they do have full access to the course materials and must attend any required class activities such as labs or recitations and submit any required assessments within the course such as quizzes even though such activities do not contribute to a final course grade. Students may request the course instructor to take course exams for formative feedback. Grade Reports The Registrar’s Office does not provide any grade reports to students. Students may access their grades through Brightspace, Meditrek, and the student portal. Grade Notifications Students are expected to monitor their in-progress and final grades in Brightspace and Meditrek throughout the academic term. Since the ability to continue in the program requires a quarterly and cumulative grade point average of 2.30 or higher, a grade below that level is considered unsatisfactory (‘C’ and below). A student who earns a failing grade (‘F’ or ‘U’) must remediate that failing grade to continue in the program. The opportunity to remediate a failing grade, and the plan for how that may be accomplished, is granted/determined by the Student Promotions Committee. Instructors must submit final course/clinic grades to the Registrar's Office within three (3) College working days of the administration of their final examination or last day of clinic. If a student believes a grade has been assigned in error, they must notify the appropriate instructor within five (5) business days of the grade being posted in Brightspace or Meditrek. If the student does not receive a response from the instructor, the student must contact the appropriate Assistant Dean. In the event the Assistant Dean is unable to respond, the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment and Records should be consulted, and ultimately the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs. The instructor will verify the accuracy of the grade and must submit any grade changes to the Registrar’s Office within five (5) business days of being notified of the error. In addition to Brightspace, Meditrek, and the student portal, students may receive official notices, academic-related or otherwise, via the student’s @eyedoc.ico.edu email account and/or their on-campus mailbox. It is the student’s personal responsibility to check these communication sources for information, particularly toward the end of the quarter when final grade and academic status notifications are distributed. Students are responsible for obtaining grade notification in accordance with the above timetable. It is the student's responsibility to be available to receive grades in a timely manner, including at the end of spring quarter prior to summer vacation or any of the vacation periods, and prior to leaving for externship rotations. This is of utmost importance as student academic standing, promotion and graduation may be significantly affected by delay on the student's part in procuring notice. The Student Promotions Committee will meet as soon as possible at the conclusion of each quarter to review student statuses. Students requesting reconsideration of an SPC decision should be available to meet regardless of indicated student vacation dates.

Consumer Information Home How to File a Complaint with IBHE or the Higher Learning Commission An institution must make available to a student or prospective student contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant state official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint. Participants in Title IV Federal Financial Aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, are required to direct students to a state agency for assistance with unresolved complaints. Related regulations require all Title IV participating institutions, regardless of the origin of their state authorization to operate, to comply with state agency complaint process and to communicate such information publicly. Under Federal rule 34 CFR §600.9 and §668.43(b), Title IV eligible institutions must make available to students or prospective students, upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and state authorization. The institution must provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and the state. Students can file a complaint with the state of Illinois via the Illinois Board of Higher Education's (IBHE) Complaint System or to the IBHE at 431 E. Adams, 2nd Floor Springfield, IL 62701-1404 Complaint Hotline: 217-557-7359 . Students can also file a complaint with our accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, using their Complaint Procedures .