Freshman applications up across university system

Freshman applications are up 13 percent across the university system. — Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin

By University Relations

More than 56,000 prospective first-time freshmen have applied for enrollment next fall across the University of Illinois system, a record demand that is up 13 percent from the year before.

Applications include across-the-board increases among Illinois residents and African-American and Latino students. Overall, the university system has received 56,017 applications for freshman seats on its three campuses for fall 2016, up from 49,530 a year ago.

The university system enrolled 11,315 freshmen in fall 2015, part of record total enrollment that topped 80,000 students.

The strong demand reflects the academic excellence of the university’s campuses and ongoing efforts to hold down student costs, University President Timothy Killeen said. Last month, the Board of Trustees approved a tuition freeze for in-state freshmen for the second consecutive year, a move that followed two years of inflation-based 1.7 percent increases.

“The University’s reputation for quality is resonating with students from around the state and beyond, and our commitment to affordability is ensuring access to a world-class education that transforms their lives and paves the way to success,” he said.

Killeen also credited financial stewardship and ongoing efficiency initiatives that have provided stability and channeled resources to academic programs and student services despite a state budget impasse that has shut off state funding to the university for more than seven months.

System-wide, freshman applications increased by nearly 6,500 — 13 percent — including a 10.6 percent increase among in-state residents, from 29,099 last year to 32,176 for the fall of 2016.

Applications from Latino students are up 22 percent, from 7,848 to 9,580, while applications from African-American students increased 20.6 percent, from 4,202 to 5,066.

Student demand showed increases on the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses, where application deadlines have closed, while applications to date are down slightly on the Springfield campus, which will continue to accept applications until classes begin on Aug. 22.

In Chicago, total freshman applications increased 19.4 percent, from 14,268 to 17,029, with a 14.6 percent increase among in-state students, from 11,302 to 12,956. Applications from African-American students were up 35.3 percent, from 1,651 to 2,234, and applications from Latino students increased 25.8 percent, from 4,350 to 5,474.

System-wide, applications from transfer students are up 11 percent, from 4,514 to 5,011, including an 11.3 percent increase among in-state students, from 3,345 to 3,724. Applications from African-American transfer students increased 14.1 percent, from 475 to 542, while applications from Latino students are up 11.6 percent, from 631 to 704.