Open Illinois provides information, resources and guidance for undocumented and DACA students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Welcome to the Open Illinois webpage. This page serves as a guide for support and resources for current and perspective students and allies in our campus community. Open Illinois is maintained by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, we are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming campus community. All students who apply to Illinois, regardless of citizenship status are considered for admission. Through our collaborative approach, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is committed to serve those that identify as undocumented. We provide next steps, information, resources financial aid assistance, academic counseling, peer support services, psychological counseling, referral services, and legal services free of cost for current undergraduate and graduate students.

Resources and Opportunities

Updates

• 2023-24 HOPE Scholarship Spring Application Round LiveDecember 18, 2023
  The Spring application round for the Helping Others’ Personal Excellence (HOPE) Scholarship.  The HOPE Scholarship provides funds for students who demonstrate financial need yet do not otherwise qualify for financial aid. Deadline: Monday, January 29, at 11:59 p.m. Already received the scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year? Read below.**If you already received the scholarship for the 2023-2024… Read more: 2023-24 HOPE Scholarship Spring Application Round Live
• Apply for the 2023–24 HOPE ScholarshipMarch 13, 2023
  The Helping Others’ Personal Excellence (HOPE) Scholarship is a student-initiated fee that provides funds for students who demonstrate financial need yet do not otherwise qualify for financial aid. Illinois Student Government and I-CAUSE created and implemented this scholarship in 2020. This scholarship fund—a commitment by students, for students—is intended to help alleviate some of the… Read more: Apply for the 2023–24 HOPE Scholarship
• Final Rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program ReleasedSeptember 1, 2022
  On August 24, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security released a final rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which preserves and fortifies the existing DACA program with minor changes. The name, eligibility criteria, application process, and cost remain the same as the current DACA program. However, due to the July 2021 Fifth… Read more: Final Rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program Released

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