As required by the Bridge Program for Underrepresented Students Act (110 ILCS 170/10 thru 170/25), the Illinois Scholars Program is designed to serve residents of the state of Illinois from historically underserved populations and low-sending counties in the state. The Illinois Scholars Program guides undergraduate students’ transition to the University of Illinois Urbana -Champaign by providing a wide range of educational, personal, social, and cultural opportunities. ISP aims to combine opportunity and access, experiential learning, and support to position students for academic success and personal growth throughout their time at Illinois.
Illinois Scholars Program
The Illinois Scholars Program is a four-week intensive summer bridge experience for incoming first-year students from historically underserved populations and low-sending counties in the State of Illinois at no cost.
Since the program’s inception in 2018, 266 students have completed their summer bridge experience, with a 97.1% retention rate from their first to second term, compared to a 89% campus retention rate for underrepresented minority students during the same period. As of August 2024, 46 ISP students have graduated with their bachelor’s degrees.