Governor JB Pritzker says the U of I will expand free tuition

Photo courtesy of Governor Pritzker’s Facebook page

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Governor JB Pritzker spoke on last Friday, January 17 with the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. 

Pritzker plans to expand its free tuition program for low income families. This shows his concern for more students having more college options. He and his office are making free tuition a priority. Pritzker asked to lift the threshold amount. 

The board on Thursday approved its first tuition increase in six years.

Pritzker said that his office is prioritizing “making college more affordable for those who can least afford it. I asked them to life the income threshold for the Illinois Commitment Program by an additional 10 percent.”

The program gives scholarships and grants to cover tuition and fees for students who are Illinois residents. Room and board costs are not covered by the program.

“People who are applying for the new school year, in the fall, will be able to access that 10% increase,” the governor said.

They will institutionalize this program for the upcoming school year of Fall 2020.