Illinois to Roll Out Direct Admissions Program for Most State Universities
ILLINOIS, JUN 30 – Illinois enacts four laws to simplify college admissions, expand dual credit, and mandate FAFSA support, with 86% of first-time four-year college students receiving federal aid, officials said.
- On June 30, 2025, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed four bills into law to improve college access and affordability for high school students, including HB 2967, HB 3096, HB 3097, and HB 3522.
- Prompted by the U.S. Census Bureau data showing Illinois' rapid youth decline, Governor Pritzker signed laws to reduce college barriers and promote equitable access for all students.
- Illinois signed laws that streamline college admissions by removing fees and establishing GPA-based automatic acceptance, while ensuring high-quality dual credit standards through high school–college collaboration.
- Following the signing, high schools must designate FAFSA staff and provide assistance during school hours starting in 2025-26, with some provisions effective immediately or at fiscal year start.
- Starting in 2027-28, nine Illinois public universities will implement a direct admissions program, which advocates believe could help retain younger residents in the state.
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Illinois to Launch Direct Admissions
Illinois has passed a bill creating a direct admissions program for nine of the state’s 11 public universities, Capital News Illinois reported Monday; the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the state's flagship, and the University of Illinois Chicago will not participat


Gov. Pritzker signs bills tackling college access and affordability
The bills aim to streamline the college application process, help with financial aid applications and strengthen programs that give high school students college credit.
New laws aim to make higher education easier for Illinois students
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — Governor JB Pritzker signed four bills into law Monday, which are designed to make it easier for Illinois high school students to go to college. Here is an outline of the four new higher education laws: Implementing the Public University Direct Admission Program: Streamlines the admissions process, eliminates unnecessary application fees, and expands access to postsecondary education through a new direct admissions pro…
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