The Illinois Promise News Conference

Across the nation, states are funding less and less of the cost of higher education. And the effects of these cuts are that fewer and fewer of students from the neediest families are able to afford to attend college and those who do are less likely to complete their education.

That is why I am announcing today that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is creating a program to ensure that Illinois students from families with low incomes will be able to attend the institution.

Beginning next fall, entering freshmen from the lowest incomes - at or below the federal poverty level and whose families are not expected to be able to contribute toward educational expenses will be able to participate in "The Illinois Promise."

Students who meet the program's criteria will receive the financial aid necessary to cover the estimated cost of all tuition, fees, books, and room and board throughout their college careers at the Urbana campus. As a public university, we must ensure that talented students of all economic backgrounds have access to our programs. If the face of our campus does not reflect our society, we cannot fulfill our obligation to create the leaders of future generations.

We feel that students who would qualify for this program are particularly vulnerable to dropping out for financial reasons. We want them to know that we're committed to seeing that finances are not a roadblock to their success here.

We are seeking funds for the program through grants from private and corporate support, and we have already received a commitment for $250-thousand from our first sponsor, Lou Mervis, president of Mervis Industries.

Find out more about The Illinois Promise.