The Illinois Scholars Program Summer Bridge Experience is designed to help guide first-year, Illinois residents, and first-generation students transition to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. ISP combines opportunity, access, and support to position students for academic success and personal growth throughout their time at Illinois. 

The 2026 Illinois Scholars Program Summer Bridge Experience will run from  Saturday, July 18 – Friday, August 15, 2026.

Apply now or attend one of the upcoming information sessions. Application Deadline: TBD.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for the Illinois Scholars Program you must be:  

• An admitted first-year student to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
• A State of Illinois resident 
• First-generation college student
• Additional consideration may be given to applicants who qualify for a fee waiver, are from low-sending counties, or attend schools where a majority of students were eligible for free or reduced lunch.

* The university of Illinois Urbana-Champaign defines first-generation as “neither parent nor guardian have earned at least a bachelor’s degree.” (Source: Campus Profile Glossary, Division of Management Information) 

* Low-sending County is defined as a student from a county sending an average of two or fewer students per academic year to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

If you are a student from the Grainger College of Engineering participating in the ARISE Program, you are ineligible to participate in ISP. We apologize for any confusion. Please contact ARISE program staff via email at engr-arise@illinois.edu for further information.

How to Apply

When completing the application, be sure to have the following information on hand:

• Incoming student contact information (including @illinois.edu email)
• Incoming student college & projected major
• Guardian and/or emergency contact information
• Any accommodations necessary to fully participate

Note: Application does not guarantee acceptance into the Illinois Scholars Program.

About the Summer Experience

The summer bridge experience provides the following: 

• Weekly academic preparedness for first-year courses  in writing and math
• Individualized support to navigate the transition from high school to college 
• Strategies for setting and achieving academic goals 
• Weekly pportunity to explore the university’s resources 
• Tours of campus facilities and services
• Peer advising with upper-class ISP mentors 
• Programs to connect family members to campus during move-in weekend 

After the completion of the Summer Bridge Experience, Illinois Scholars will continue to receive year-round academic support during their entire undergraduate career including: 

• Workshops with academic and career advisors 
• Community-building and social programs 
• Networking and connecting with alumni 
• Access to Academic Inclusive Excellence facility for studying and meetings 
• Initiatives to support students’ mental health and wellness

Summer Bridge Daily Schedule

Academic workshops, preparatory courses, and campus activities will take place all day Monday through Friday with extracurricular activities in the evenings and on weekends. Housing and meals provided within University Housing. 

Important Dates

• The 2026 ISP Summer Bridge Experience begins Saturday, July 18 with a move-in weekend and orientation on Sunday, July 19.
• Classes begin on Monday, July 20 and run Monday through Friday until August 14.
• On Friday, August 14, the summer bridge experience will conclude with the Illinois Scholar poster presentations.
• Illinois Scholars are welcome to stay in their summer room until Sunday, August 16, when they can move into their permanent residence hall room. The Illinois Scholars Program covers early move-in expenses.

Information Sessions 

Information about in-person and virtual sessions will be posted by March 2026.

For questions about applying to the Illinois Scholars Program, contact the Illinois Scholars Program staff at IllinoisScholarsProgram@illinois.edu.