System-wide Financial Aid Policy

The University of Illinois System’s updated System-wide Financial Aid Policy clarifies the criteria for awarding financial aid. Specifically, race, color, national origin, and sex may not be considered in determining eligibility for or awarding financial aid. 

This page provides information about the implementation of related fund changes to maintain compliance with the policy.

Allowable Criteria

In alignment with the University of Illinois System-wide Financial Aid Policy, and in support of the university’s commitment to use financial aid as a tool to promote academic achievement, reduce barriers to education, broaden access and opportunity, and build a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, the following have been identified as the exclusive criteria that may be used to determine student eligibility for a scholarship or fellowship:

• Students that demonstrate financial need. Specific criteria may include students eligible for Illinois MAP grants, federal Pell grants, the Illinois Promise program, and/or the Illinois Commitment program.
• Students that demonstrate academic merit as defined by and within the university.
• Students enrolled in a university academic area of study. Specific criteria may include students enrolled in a specific college, a specific major or minor, a specific academic concentration, or a broader area of study (e.g. STEM).
• Students that are residents of an Illinois “Low Sending County” or graduates from an Illinois “Low Sending High School” as defined by the university’s Enrollment Management office.
• Students who graduate from a specific high school or postsecondary institution, provided that enrollment in that institution is not contingent upon race, color, national origin, sex, or religion.
• Students residing in a specific U.S. geographic location (e.g. a specific city, state, and/or county, or “Midwest”) provided selection is not based on race, color, national origin, sex, or religion.
• Students who are first generation college attendees.
• Students with international status based on institutional classification (e.g. visa type or enrollment status), but not birthplace, national origin, or geographic residency.
• Status who are US citizens or permanent residents (these criteria must be used in combination, i.e. “U.S. citizen or permanent resident”).
• Students who are actively serving in, or have previously served in, the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Students with disabilities, including physical and learning differences.
• Students classified as independent or who report having a dependent on the FAFSA.
• Students who are members of a group or organization, including University Registered Student Organizations (RSO), if:
  • Membership is open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex and
  • The criterion is based on participation, engagement, leadership, or service in the organization or group, rather than the identity of the student.
• Students participating in a university varsity athletic team.

Fund Amendment Process

We are grateful for your generosity and committed to finding solutions that continue to reflect your values and support our students in meaningful ways and would like to offer a few options to connect with our campus advancement team about next steps.  

• If you’d like to schedule a meeting to discuss your options, please email stewardship@illinois.edu. You can also reserve time directly at go.illinois.edu/AidPolicyMeeting.   

• If you have specific updates you know you’d like made based on the updated criteria, please reply to this email address, stewardship@illinois.edu, with those changes and a staff member will connect to move forward the amendment process.  

Questions?

If you have any questions, please reach out to stewardship@illinois.edu.