To retain state’s top brains and stop them from moving outside for higher studies, the University of Illinois at Chicago has rolled out a “Fellows Program” offering free college education to high-achieving Illinois high school students.
The university has earmarked $3.8 million for the plan, which is part of Illinois legislature’s AIM HIGH program, to increase enrollment of Illinois residents at Illinois public universities.
“We want these accomplished students at UIC because of the exceptional dedication and discipline they have shown during their high school years. We are thankful to state officials for providing the resources to retain these excellent students in Illinois and help them realize their dreams,” university chancellor Michael Amiridis said.
“This program provides support for top Illinois high school students to take advantage of the excellent education and the diverse environment of UIC,” he added.
Beginning next fall, Illinois residents who are also U.S. citizens, or eligible non-citizens with family income not greater than six times the federal poverty rate, will be eligible for the program.
The students must have a school grade point average of 3.8 and a minimum ACT score of 30 and a minimum SAT score of 1360. Those eligible for the program will also receive a priority consideration for admission into the UIC Honors College.
The last date to apply for the program is November 1, 2018.
