Illinois Promise helps 107 UI students graduate without debt

URBANA – Janaki Patel graduates from the University of Illinois today after just three years, with a chemistry degree and Bronze Tablet honors – and no debt.

It's quite a feat, considering her family's limited means. Half of all UI undergraduates take out loans, and they leave campus almost $18,000 in debt, on average.

The UI senior is one of 107 graduates who are part of Illinois Promise, a program launched four years ago to help students from low-income families afford a UI education. It covers all their college expenses – tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies – through a combination of state, federal, university and private grants.

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