UIS Expands Prairie Promise Program

The University of Illinois Springfield announced that it will expand its Prairie Promise financial aid program to include eligible transfer students beginning in the fall 2026 semester. The expansion will allow more Illinois students to earn their undergraduate degrees without paying tuition or fees.

Originally launched in October 2023, the Prairie Promise covers full tuition and fees for qualifying first-time, first-year students who attend UIS on campus. The new expansion broadens eligibility to transfer students who meet the same financial and academic criteria.

UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch said the move reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and affordability in higher education. “This expansion makes a college education even more accessible, regardless of financial need,” Gooch said.

To qualify, students must be Illinois residents admitted to an on-campus undergraduate program, demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Illinois Alternative Application, and meet eligibility requirements for the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. Recipients must also enroll full-time and maintain good academic standing. Funding for the Prairie Promise combines MAP Grant awards, UIS scholarships, and AIM HIGH Grant funds.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply for admission and submit the FAFSA or Illinois Alternative Application by May 1 for priority consideration. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students may receive Prairie Promise funding for up to four years of continuous, full-time enrollment or until earning their first bachelor’s degree.

More information about the Prairie Promise program, including full eligibility details, is available on the University of Illinois Springfield website.