The Illinois General Assembly has approved the Public University Direct Admission Program Act.
Per the law, beginning in July 2026 and once a year thereafter, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will use data collected from school districts in order to determine which students meet the standards for general admission, and provide the data to the Board of Higher Education.
The legislature approved the act in the hopes of simplifying the higher education admissions process and reducing the costs of the application process for students.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker praised the passage of the act with the following statement:
Every year, high school students and their families across Illinois navigate a complex college admissions process, often facing the burden of paying multiple application fees along the way. With the General Assembly’s bipartisan passage of the Public University Direct Admission Program Act, we’re offering a more streamlined and affordable path to a postsecondary institution in Illinois.
This bill creates a one-stop shop for students, allowing eligible high schoolers to receive direct admission to public universities based on their academic performance. It’s a commonsense solution that reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and expanding opportunity to higher education.
Education is the foundation of a thriving future, and the passage of this bill reflects our resolve to use every tool available to keep our next generation of leaders in Illinois. I look forward to signing it into law and thank Rep. Katie Stuart and Sen. Christopher Belt for their leadership and dedication to making college more accessible for all Illinois families.
