University of Illinois Chicago
PA-8: Affordability and Access

• Financial Aid The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is committed to providing access to higher education and minimizing loan debt for all undergraduate students, by optimizing the positive impact of university supported grants on student retention and graduation while controlling the campus based financial aid budget. UIC has allocated a portion of its operating budget to provide Illinois residents who are Pell or MAP eligible with supplemental grant aid that will support them to degree completion while attending UIC. There are two levels of grant aid in this program, the UIC Access to Excellence Grant and the UIC Gateway Grant. Note: this is a substantial institutional commitment given that 36% of UIC undergraduates are Pell eligible

• Faculty Institute of the Centers for Diversity: seeks to inform better practices in the classroom and in instruction with regards to diversity

 Partnership with Chicago Public Schools (our data shows that a large percentage of students at UIC who are from CPS are low-income)  TRIO  Summer College

• President’s Award Program (PAP) assists the University of Illinois at Chicago to enroll highly capable, admitted students from historically underrepresented groups, students from areas of the state (Illinois) with low rates of participation at the University of Illinois, and high achieving dependent students from families with zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC=0). The broad goals of the program are to ensure and enrich the diversity of the student body.

Workshops are available from the different support programs to guide parents. • Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) http://www.lares.uic.edu/ LARES seeks to empower students by providing personal growth and educational opportunities and to prepare leaders who will make individual and collective contributions toward the cultural and social advancement of the Latino community. • The TRIO/Educational Opportunity Outreach Programs consist of two pre-college programs (Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science) and one college program (Student Support Services/Academic Support Program) designed to identify students with academic potential who need information and support to complete high school and advance to, and graduate from, postsecondary school. These may be first-generation college students, low-income students, or students with disabilities. The programs serve students without regard to ethnicity. http://www.uic.edu/depts/trio/index.shtml • African American Academic Network (AAAN) http://www.uic.edu/depts/aaan/index.shtml Our mission is to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of African American students. In keeping with that focus, AAAN is also committed to establishing an inclusive and supportive campus environment. AAAN sponsors social and cultural activities to encourage student involvement, and advocates for the interests of its participants.

• Urban Health Program -http://www.uic.edu/depts/uhealth/ The mission of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Urban Health Program is to recruit, retain, and graduate underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, in the health professions, and to expand educational opportunities for these populations at the pre-college (K-12), undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. In addition to an administrative office and campus-wide programming, each of the six health science colleges has UHP programs and staff in place. • President’s Award Program (PAP) • TRIO

Nondiscrimination Statement The commitment of the University of Illinois to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms. The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities. University complaint and grievance procedures provide employees and students with the means for the resolution of complaints that allege a violation of this Statement. Members of the public should direct their inquiries or complaints to the appropriate equal opportunity office. Policy Council Revised May 31, 2005 http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/campus_policies/nondiscrimination_statement.html

All students are treated the same

There is an on-site child care facility on west side of campus. UIC Children's Center is a full-day early childhood program for children of current UIC students, faculty and staff. Children must be between the age of 2 years and 9 months up to 6 years. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

In 2013, The association Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (known by its previous acronym, NASPA) awarded UIC's Commuter Student Resource Center its Gold Excellence Award “for transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration” in the category for off-campus, commuter, and other nontraditional students. The Commuter Student Resource Center provides a space where commuters can study in quiet, socialize in a lounge, or do homework on public computers and printers. It offers a kitchen, locker rooms with showers, and lactation rooms. A full-time staff provides programming and services to help commuters feel better connected to the campus. Located on the second floor of UIC’s Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted St., the center opened for fall semester in 2010 and now averages more than 3,000 student-visits per week. In announcing the award, NASPA noted that the Commuter Student Resource Center “demonstrates excellence in designing a comprehensive program that provides its off-campus students with facilities, services, and programs” necessary for successful academic achievement.

We do not have data for the percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students