The University of Illinois system is expanding a program to guarantee admission for in-state high school graduates looking to transfer to one of its campuses.

Now, graduates of an Illinois high school attending college out of state will be guaranteed admission to a University of Illinois campus if they meet certain requirements.

Expanding opportunity

Previously, the university system’s transfer guarantee program only applied to students transferring from a community college in Illinois, according to a news release. More than 4,300 students have been admitted via the transfer guarantee since its inception in 2022.

"Transfer students are an important component of the student bodies at our three best-in-class universities, adding new voices and fresh perspectives," system President Tim Killeen said in a statement. "We are bringing an even greater focus on building a future for Illinois high school students by increasing the likelihood that they will stay here to work and live."

University of Illinois entry sign in Champaign Illinois. The University of Illinois is a state university in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. It offers teaching and research programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to over 56,000 students. (

How to qualify

Students who meet all the requirements are guaranteed admission to the University of Illinois campus they apply to, but they are not guaranteed admission to a specific college of major.

Students wanting to transfer to the Urbana-Champaign campus must complete an application between by April 5 for fall admission.

The transfer application period for fall admission to the Chicago campus closes April 1.

Applications to the Springfield campus are accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information, visit uaps.uillinois.edu/transfer_guarantee .