Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.51
Liaison Meredith Moore
Submission Date July 31, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Stephanie Lage
Assistant Director
Ctr for Sustainable Environment
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign houses five TRIO Programs on campus that include the Educational Talent Search Program, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Center and the Ronald E. McNair Program.
• Upward Bound, one of the original TRiO programs, aids high school students in developing the skills and motivation necessary for completion of a post-secondary degree. The services were later expanded and now include a program that assists U.S. veterans in earning a college degree and an additional program that focuses on students who intend to pursue degrees in math and science.
• Student Support Services helps college students persist and complete a four-year degree through the provision of academic support services such as individualized counseling and access to tutoring, cultural and financial literacy activities.
• Talent Search is an early intervention program for individuals aged 11 through 21, including those seeking to re-enter the education system, who are interested in pursuing a post-secondary degree.
• Educational Opportunity Centers provide assistance to individuals 21 and older who are interested in pursuing a post-secondary degree.
• The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program provides undergraduates with research opportunities and other preparation experiences for graduate school application, admission and success. The primary goal of the program is to prepare and encourage scholars to obtain their doctorate degrees and become faculty, thereby diversifying the ranks of the American professoriate.


A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:

Illinois Promise (I-Promise)
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is committed to providing access to quality education for high achieving students from all backgrounds. Current economic circumstances, however, threaten the affordability of higher education, particularly for students from the lowest income levels. With the shift of primary funding for state universities from state support to tuition, the need to maintain access to higher education is particularly pressing. Illinois Promise began in Fall 2005 to ensure the affordability of higher education for students from the lowest income levels. Illinois Promise assures eligible recipients sufficient grant and scholarship funds in combination with a minimal employment expectation to cover their estimated cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and books and supplies. Illinois Promise does not provide funding for summer classes. The Illinois Promise scholarship is about giving high-achieving, low-income students access to a world class education and a chance to succeed.
Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP)

The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) is committed to providing a support and an information base that validates the student experience and fosters a sense of belonging, engagement, and empowerment. Through bi-weekly one-on-one counseling, mentorship, tutoring, workshops, academic skills development, leadership training, and referrals to resources, the I-LEAP program aims to increase student success at the University of Illinois and within the campus community. Participation in The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) is voluntary and of no cost to program participants. I-LEAP is available to undergraduates enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who are first-generation students, students from underrepresented groups, student athletes, and those recognized by the President Awards Program (PAP) and Educational Opportunities Program (EOP). Additionally, the I-LEAP Program collaborates with the Office of the Provost to provide support and resources to students who receive the Illinois Promise scholarship. Students are also able to self-select and participate in the program.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

The Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Education Initiative (I-Initiative) is a cohesive, comprehensive, and coordinated program that indicates we are determined to create the most inclusive campus possible. At Illinois, we believe that the more diverse the people are around the table for any discussion, whether you're talking about gender, race, religion, age, geography, economics, etc., the richer the conversation becomes and, ultimately, the better the outcomes. This also complements another important program, Inclusive Illinois. However, for everyone to participate in that conversation we must have an environment in which everyone is valued,


A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Morrill Engineering Program (MEP)
MEP offers academic support services and activities, scholarship assistance, and work experience. Since 2011, MEP recruitment efforts have reflected a significant increase in applications to the College of Engineering from underrepresented students.
Women in Engineering (WIE)
This program hosts summer camps for high school students, such as the Exploring Your Options (EYO) Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Camp, and the Girls Adventures in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science (G.A.M.E.S.) Camp. GAMES exposed 143 high school girls to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Illinois Connections in Engineering (ICE)
This program is a six-week residential summer bridge program designed to provide incoming engineering students valuable academic training for the rigors of the engineering curriculum at Illinois. Recognizing that the level of preparation each student receives prior to college varies from school to school, ICE provides a challenging program designed to assist students’ adjustment to college. The courses and workshops are taught to give students a sense of the level and pace of University coursework, while ICE provides students the opportunity to become accustomed to the campus.
The Sister School
The programs serves as a bridge between the Department of Dance and 8-10 targeted dance studios and high schools in Illinois that possess both a large minority population and an excellent reputation for producing outstanding dancers. Participants are exposed to the benefits of a degree in dance through regular interaction with Dance at Illinois students and faculty. Program activities include: recruitment materials, promotional mailings, and emails are frequently sent to each target school. In addition, Dance at Illinois faculty and alumni provide master classes to students on location and a group of students is invited to campus each year to experience a day as a dance major.

AD Camp
AD Camp is a joint program between the Department of Advertising and the American Advertising Federation (AAF). It was designed to provide underrepresented high school students with hands-on exposure to the advertising industry and professors. Students are taught the principles of advertising from faculty members and working professionals; they worked in groups on real projects from clients; and they toured several advertising agencies. About ten-percent of the students who completed camp have applied to the University of Illinois at Advertising or Marketing majors in this academic year.

President’s Award Program (PAP)
PSP seeks to encourage academically superior students who have been admitted to one of the University of Illinois campuses and are members of historically underrepresented groups, including groups that have been difficult to enroll at the University. The broad goals of the program are to ensure and enrich the diversity of the student body. The University of Illinois believes that a diverse student body enhances the quality of education for all students.
Upward Bound Program
The Upward Bound Program is for high school students to develop skills and motivation to complete a post-secondary degree
Educational Talent Search Program
The Educational Talent Search Program is an early intervention program for individuals age 11 through 21. It includes those seeking to re-enter the education system, and those who are interested in pursuing a post-secondary degree.
iMath Building Mathematical Identities with/in Latin and Black Youth
iMath is a partnership with Central High and Edison Middle School to include an after school math club at the Champaign Public Library. The club targets 20-30 Latino and Black students, as well as Spanish speakers and is managed by teacher education students and undergraduate students in mathematics-related majors.
USDA Ag Discovery
The program is designed to enhance academic skills in math, science and computers. It is a seven (7) week laboratory research experience for high school students to explore specific interests related to plants, animals, and the environment.
Research Apprentice Program (RAP)
Description: This program offers enrichment and academic support to high school freshmen through junior students from traditionally underserved ethnic minority groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Students are engaged in learning about the application of math, science, technology, and computers through many labs, career seminars, and science demonstrations on the University of Illinois campus. Students work in team-based exercises to improve math and science skills, problem solving skills, and communications skills. Students have the opportunity to visit businesses, where they will conduct hands-on science projects focused on food, human, and environmental issues.


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:

Illinois Promise assures eligible recipients sufficient grant and scholarship funds in combination with a minimal employment expectation to cover their estimated cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and books and supplies. Illinois Promise does not provide funding for summer classes. The Illinois Promise scholarship is about giving high-achieving, low-income students access to a world class education and a chance to succeed.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:

The Office of the Dean of Students collaborates with the Parent Program Office to provide orientation for parents, along with many other resources to aid in the transition to the college experience.
http://uofiparentprograms.illinois.edu/pop/schedule.html


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
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A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
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A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
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The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.