University of Illinois System 2025 President’s Award Program (PAP)

The President’s Award Program (PAP) assists the University of Illinois System to enroll highly capable students who have been admitted to one of the U of I universities and are low-income, first-generation, or come from a low-sending county, with low-sending defined as counties sending an average of two or fewer students per academic year to the University of Illinois in the past five-year period. The broad goal of the program is to ensure and enrich the inclusiveness of the student body in those ways. The University of Illinois believes that a student body that includes people from all walks of life across Illinois enhances the quality of education for all students.

• Table of Content
• About University of Illinois System
• President’s Award Program (PAP)
• Aim and Benefits of President’s Award Program (PAP)
• Requirements for President’s Award Program (PAP) Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of Illinois System

The University of Illinois System is made up of people who want more. Our innovative, diverse, globally engaged citizens and leaders enrich our culture and society, create prosperity, and serve the public good. New breakthroughs from our universities foster economic growth and solve society's biggest challenges. Combined, the three universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield bring resources, capabilities, and drive that are greater than the sum of their parts – it is altogether extraordinary. ... continue reading

President’s Award Program (PAP)

Aim and Benefits of President’s Award Program (PAP)

The scholarship provided by the PAP is intended to support and encourage students to select the University of Illinois System for enrollment and each university of the System makes independent decisions regarding admissions and PAP awards.

Requirements for President’s Award Program (PAP) Qualification

Students from any of the following groups at the University of Illinois are eligible for consideration for the PAP award:

• Students from low-sending Illinois counties, with low-sending defined as counties sending an average of two or fewer students per academic year to the University of Illinois in the past five-year period;
• Students for whom neither parent or guardian has earned at least a bachelor's degree; or
• Dependent students whose families are at or below the poverty level and are not expected to contribute to the cost of their education, as verified through FAFSA and financial aid application processes.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit University of Illinois System Scholarship webpage