Campus Resources

Your success at Illinois is important to us! We encourage you to check out the numerous university-led options that are available to you.

Counselor and student talking at table with papers on it

College Success

  • University Acronyms
    Various abbreviations are used across campus. This list includes examples from Illinois research, student affairs, campus buildings, and more.
  • Cultural and Resource Centers
    Provides support for students to reach their personal, academic, and professional goals through curricular and co-curricular engagement opportunities. Their work is rooted in the goals of being more diverse, equitable, and inclusive to create a sense of belonging for students and members of the university community. 
    Early Move-in Programs Conéctate, The Circuit, and Indigenous Scholars Orientation
  • Basic Needs
    Focusing on access to essential services that impact overall health and well-being. Basic needs resources include access to nutritious food, stable housing, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and financial resources. SNAP application support is also available. You can make an appointment by calling 217-333-0050 or via email basicneeds@illinois.edu.
  • Off-Campus Community Living
    Providing support to students residing in privately owned apartments and homes throughout the campus district and surrounding communities.
  • Food Access
    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign wants to ensure you have access to nutritious food and assistance. There are several resources available to assist you in securing food on and around campus based on your needs and comfort level.
  • New Student & Family Experiences
    Here to help students and their families as they begin their journey at Illinois. Their goal is to get you excited about your Illinois experience and connected to all the people, places, resources, and opportunities available to new students and their families.
  • Student Assistance Center
    A first point of contact for students who call, email, or walk into the Office of the Dean of Students. Staff can help students understand university policies and procedures, educate them about and connect them to campus resources, and support students in crisis. 
  • Counseling Center
    Providing a broad range of high quality, innovative, and ethical services that address the psychological, educational, social, and developmental needs of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students. Among the free resources they offer: Workshops (goal setting, time management, test anxiety, and more), Virtual Peer Workshops, Individual Counseling, Focus and Identity-based Therapy Groups.
  • Student Wellness Guidebook
    Free access through UIUC eText Platform. Once logged in using UIUC credentials, go to Skillding Blox. Includes a variety of topics such as physical, social, financial, and emotional wellness. Students are welcome to bookmark this page for continued, quick access. UIUC log-in is required. 
Large group of participants wearing black TRIO t-shirts

The Michael L. Jeffries, Sr. Center for Access and Academic Success 

  • Advising & Mentoring
    Delivering world class and empirically-based academic mentoring services that enable the university achieve excellence in student retention and timely graduation.
  • First Generation Student Initiatives
    Advancing campus level, transformational change that empowers, engages, and elevates first-generation student success.   
  • Tutoring & Academic Services
    Assisting student in developing the confidence, independence, and active learning skills necessary to meet both the university’s academic rigor and students’ individual educational goals.
  • TRIO McNair Scholars Program
    A program in which all McNair Scholars achieve academic and personal success so they can become the next generation of scientists, researchers, and professors. We seek to empower scholars to believe that the vision they have for the world can be realized through their research and service efforts in the academy.
  • TRIO Student Support Services
    Working with students to enhance their academic performance, increase retention and graduation rates, and help prepare them for careers after graduation. We seek to create a vital link between participating students and university resources.
  • TRIO Talent Search 
    Creating and sustaining a college-going culture for its target schools and target areas and to improve parents’ capacity to prepare their child/children for college.
  • TRIO Upward Bound
    Providing students with high quality academic, cultural, and career related activities designed to prepare and equip them to successfully complete high school, enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution and obtain a baccalaureate degree.
Group of FOCUS participants standing and smiling

The Career Center

  • FOCUS Program
    Fostering Opportunity, Community, and Unwavering Support for Underrepresented First-Generation Students is an intensive semester-long program created to aid in eliminating the gap in post-graduation outcomes and starting salaries between underrepresented, first-generation students and their peers to positively impact their career trajectory, earnings potential, and economic security for years to come.
  • Diversity & Inclusion Networking Exchange
    DINE is a relaxed and supportive dining experience designed to foster genuine connections and relationships with employers and alumni from a variety of industries. Students will have the opportunity to: engage with professionals who value diversity, practice networking in casual setting, discover what qualities and skills employers seek, and learn to determine if an organization is a good fit. Registration is required. DINE 2025 is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6pm. 
Presenter pointing at board full of post-it notes with small group looking on

Division of Exploratory Studies (Formerly Division of General Studies)

  • Assists undeclared students with the process of exploring and declaring majors at the University of Illinois by providing holistic, developmental academic advising.  It offers students the ability to connect with academic advisors who guide students through course registration, degree requirements, the process of declaring majors at Illinois, and more. Student success programs include the Enrichment Experience Program (EEP). 
Student meets with instructor over a desk

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

  • Access and Achievement Program
    AAP provides a supportive learning environment, offers solid academic support, promotes leadership and self-advocacy, and identifies opportunities for outreach, research, and scholarship. Through AAP, you will be prepared for academic success, graduation, and a life of impact.
Male in orange hat and sweatshirt speaking from behind a computer screen

College of Applied Health Sciences

  • The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program
    Provides support to undergraduates enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences who are first-generation students, students from underrepresented groups, student athletes, and those recognized by the President Awards Program (PAP) and Educational Opportunities Program (EOP).
  • Peer Mentoring
    Every incoming student is provided with an upperclassman peer mentor who provides advice, encouragement, and valuable information.
Group of students outside working on a science demo

The Grainger College of Engineering

  • EMBARK Early Move-In Program
  • Academic Redshirt in Science and Engineering
    ARISE is an academic program in The Grainger College of Engineering serving a select population of students. We provide support to students from low-resourced or low-access backgrounds who show incredible potential in engineering. Our program focuses on academic support, community building, and dedicated mentorship. The program supports students throughout their entire college career.
  • Morrill Engineering Program
    MEP seeks to empower African American, Hispanic, and Native American engineering students, support their success as scholars, and leverage a community of students, staff, and alumni to achieve excellence in engineering. MEP hosts a variety of activities throughout the year to enhance the student experience.
Side perspective view of blue wall with Block I and text 'Education at Illinois Great Minds Think Illinois'

College of Education

  • Education Success Initiative
    Designed to support students in their quest to succeed academically at the university level and reach their personal and academic goals. Students meeting designated criteria will be invited to participate in ESI.

Student Professional Development

  • Speakers Workshop
    Offering one-to-one support for any student who is preparing a speech or presentation, for any class, major, or discipline. Their friendly peer-consultants can work with you on brainstorming, organizing/outlining, delivery practice, coping with apprehension, and much more!   
  • Veteran Transition and Support: Chez Veterans Center
    Available to meet with you to discuss the various support services on campus while also addressing any questions that you have. This includes getting started on campus, educational benefits, transitional support, deployment and military drill information, navigating VA benefits, and advocacy. 
  • I Am Ready: Law School Admission Readiness Program
    Designed to support diverse pre-law students in central Illinois who belong to populations traditionally underrepresented within the legal profession. The program aims to support students from many different diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to race, national origin, gender identity, first-generation, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomics. The program offers a diverse curriculum of topics and resources aimed to enhance participant success in the law admissions process and first year of law school.
  • Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative (INI)
    Now receiving applications for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. INI offers support for academic achievement, social connection, mental health, and employment readiness and opportunities. They are also offering a short-term study abroad program in January 2026 to Rovereto, Italy. If you identify with being neurodivergent and want to find out more, contact ini@illinois.edu. Applications can be found on the website and are due before 5/1/2025.

Success After Graduation and Beyond

Faculty resources on working with First-Generation students

First-Generation college students can present many unique opportunities for learning, mentorship, and professional development. Visit the resources below to learn about First-Generation college student experiences and how you can be of support during their time at Illinois: