Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
President's Award Program
A Scholarship Program for Campus Diversity
(Effective for Freshmen entering Fall 2005)
Description and Eligibility
The President’s Award Program (PAP) assists the University of Illinois to enroll highly capable students who have been admitted to one of the U of I campuses and are members of historically underrepresented groups and 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.
High achieving newly admitted freshmen from several underrepresented groups are eligible for consideration for the PAP award. The minimum qualifications for consideration are to be ranked in the upper half of their high school class, and have an ACT composite score of 24 or higher or a combined verbal and quantitative SAT score of 1060 or higher. Students with a 22 or 23 ACT composite score may also be eligible for consideration if they have attained an elevated high school rank. Students from the following underrepresented groups at the University of Illinois, are eligible for consideration for the PAP award:
- Students who are members of one of the underrepresented racial/ethnic groups at the University of Illinois (African American, Latino, or American Indian; Latino is based on origins from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, or Central or South America);
- Students from low sending Illinois counties, with low sending defined as counties sending an average of two or fewer students per academic year to the University of Illinois in the past five-year period;
- High achieving dependent students whose families are at or below the poverty level and are not expected to contribute to the cost of their education, as verified through FAFSA and financial aid application processes.
Each campus makes independent decisions regarding admissions and PAP awards. All applications are made through the regular admissions review process; once admitted, eligible students receive individual review for the PAP.
Financial Aid
The scholarship provided by the PAP is intended to support and encourage students to select the University of Illinois for enrollment. The PAP award is a minimum of $1,000 per year; up to a maximum of $4,000 per year, as determined by financial need. PAP awards are available for a maximum of four years (eight semesters). The PAP awards and other forms of financial assistance are available to meet the demonstrated financial need of students as determined by the FAFSA.
Additional Information
Please direct inquiries to the campus of your choice:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois at Chicago
Box 5220, MC-018
Chicago, Illinois 60680-5220
(312) 996-4350
Office of Admissions and Records
University of Illinois at Springfield
SAB 20, One University Plaza
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 206-4847 or Toll Free (888) 977-4847
Office of Admissions and Records
University of Illinois a Urbana-Champaign
901 West Illinois Street, MC-061
Urbana, IL 61801-3028
(217) 333-0302