Ensuring Greater Access to the Illinois Experience

One hundred and forty years ago, our beloved University was founded on a revolutionary idea advanced by President Abraham Lincoln. He believed that higher education should not be reserved for the children of the rich and powerful; that given an opportunity, ordinary men and women could make extraordinary contributions to society through their knowledge, creativity, and commitment. This is the Illinois legacy.

It’s hard to imagine how different our state and nation might be if thousands of talented students had not been able to attain life-changing educational opportunities at Illinois. Scholarships and merit awards have made it possible for so many promising young people to live healthier, happier, and more prosperous lives. Moreover, our faculty, students, and alumni have improved people’s lives around the block and around the world through their research, teaching, and professional service.

By ensuring that exceptional students in our state have access to a high-caliber Illinois education, we not only enrich their lives, but the lives of so many others. This is why we have made Ensuring Greater Access to the Illinois Experience one of our top priorities for the Brilliant Futures Campaign. Investing in scholarships and fellowships means more people will receive an outstanding education.

At Illinois we are committed to providing opportunities for new generations of Americans to achieve their goals because it is the right thing to do—for individuals and for our country. We simply cannot afford to waste the talent and creativity of thousands of young people simply because they cannot afford the rising costs of college. The Campaign will help us achieve our historic mission and enhance the future of our country by raising funds for endowed scholarships and fellowships in every one of our colleges.

We also plan to:

• expand College of Law’s repayment program , helping law students pursuing public service or advocacy careers manage their education costs
• expand College of Business’ LEAD program, which seeks to attract talented students from underrepresented backgrounds
• increase the number of students in our College of Medicine to redress the physician shortage in regions of our state
• establish the Next Generation Illinois Labor Leaders Initiative in the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, which will provide education and development for local and national labor leaders
• attract outstanding students and faculty that represent a variety of ethnicities and cultures.