Justin Vivar of Chicago receives a scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Justin Vivar, a senior at Taft High School in Chicago, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield and awarded a $22,000 Capital Scholars Honors Program Scholarship for tuition over 4 years.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years, if the student maintains a college GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Vivar will major in accountancy and play baseball for the UIS Prairie Stars, a NCAA Division II team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. He played baseball in high school and chose UIS to continue playing the sport that he loves.

“I loved the program and what they have going for them, and what they have planned for the future,” said Vivar. “I believe I’m going to have a special four years in this baseball program.”

Following graduation from UIS, he plans to continue his baseball career or possibly work in the accounting field.

The CAP Honors Program is a selective undergraduate program combining high standards and emphasis on excellence with a small residential college model, enrolling only about 100 first-year students each year.

The program brings together intellectually strong students with talented, dedicated faculty to create a unique academic environment within the greater UIS community.

Capital Scholar Honors students participate in an interdisciplinary core curriculum designed to prepare students for their major and provide leadership opportunities.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Aldo Garcia of Waukegan admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Aldo Garcia, a senior at Waukegan High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall 2016 term.

Garcia will be majoring in political science at UIS with a focus on secondary education. He hopes to become a teacher following graduation and possibly seek political office later in life.

“I chose UIS because I want to learn about politics, and what better way to learn about politics than in my state’s capital,” said Garcia. “I really fell in love with the campus, and the environment, and with Springfield in general.”

In high school, Garcia played soccer and was a member of the class council and the Anime Manga Club. He was also a member of the Waukegan High School Student Council and served as president of the Northeast District of Student Councils.

The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three campuses of the world-class University of Illinois. Over 5,000 students enroll each year at UIS seeking a U of I degree in the friendly learning environment of a smaller university. Located in the state capital, UIS has a special mission in public affairs and has produced thousands of leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

For more information on the University of Illinois Springfield, contact the Office of Admissions at 888/977-4847 or go online at www.uis.edu/admissions.

Ashleigh Smith of Petersburg receives a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Ashleigh Smith, a Petersburg resident and senior at PORTA High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield and awarded a $12,000 Lincoln Scholarship for tuition over 4 years.

Smith plans to major in nursing at UIS and wants to work in a hospital emergency room following graduation. She says there are two main reasons she chose UIS.

“UIS really felt like the right fit for me,” she said. “The new nursing program sounds really exciting.”

At PORTA, she played volleyball, ran track, and was a cheerleader. She was also a member of Key Club, History Club, FACS Club, National English Honor Society, and played in the band.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. In order to receive $12,000 over four years, students must earn a 21 on their ACT and hold a 3.5 GPA.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Santiago Focil of Guayaquil, Ecuador receives a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Santiago Focil, a resident of Guayaquil, Ecuador and senior at Unidad Educativa Bilinge Torremar, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield and awarded a $24,000 Lincoln Scholarship for tuition over 4 years.

At UIS, Focil will play on the UIS Prairie Stars men’s soccer team and major in economics and business administration.

At the Unidad Educativa Bilinge Torremar, he played on the soccer team and was a member of journalism club, debate team, Torremar Club (Club de Traca), and participated in more than 160 hours of community service.

Following his graduation from UIS, he plans to become an entrepreneur and start his own business.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. In order to receive $24,000 over four years, students must earn a 27 ACT/1210 SAT and maintain a 3.75 GPA.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.