President’s Award Program (Illinois Residents Only)

The President’s Award Program (PAP) assists the University of Illinois to enroll highly capable students who have been admitted to one of the U of I campuses and are members of historically underrepresented groups and groups that have been less likely to enroll at the University. The broad goal of the program is to ensure and enrich the diversity of the student body. The University of Illinois believes that a diverse student body enhances the quality of education for all students.

High achieving newly-admitted freshmen from several underrepresented groups are considered for the PAP award. To be eligible for consideration, students must be Illinois residents and have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement while graduating from an Illinois high school. Students must also submit a FAFSA or the Illinois Alternative Application for financial aid to be considered no later than May 1 prior to the start of their freshman year.

The PAP award is up to $5,000 per year, available for a maximum of four years (eight semesters). In order to renew, students must maintain a minimum cumulative UIS GPA of 2.5.

The PAP Honors award is for the highest achieving PAP-eligible students. PAP Honors awards of up to $10,000 per year, for up to four years. In order to renew, students must maintain a minimum cumulative UIS GPA of 3.0.

Students will be offered PAP awards when financial aid offers are prepared. The PAP award may not be offered in combination with another UIS merit scholarship; therefore, if the student was offered a merit scholarship upon admission, the PAP award will take precedence and replace the previous scholarship offer. The total of all UIS-funded aid may not exceed the total cost of tuition and mandatory fees. Read the policy.

To see the requirements for the award, please refer to the President’s Award Program website.