SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Paul Faraci will give community college students a clear path to in-state four-year universities.

“I believe that any student who grew up in Illinois should have the opportunity to attend one of our state’s universities,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This new law will give community college students a clear path to stay in-state.”

Under the new law, all Illinois four-year public universities will be required to create a four-year admissions program that admits community college transfer students each semester, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic school year.

The new program would guarantee university admission to all applicants who have enrolled at an Illinois community college after graduating from an Illinois high school, have earned a minimum of 36 graded, transferable semester hours at the time of application to the university, have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all completed transferable coursework, and have satisfied the university’s English language proficiency requirement.

Faraci’s legislation builds upon two existing laws that provide automatic admissions to Illinois universities, with one designated for high school graduates and the other for community college graduates. The University of Illinois began guaranteed admissions last year for community college transfer students who meet certain requirements, and Faraci’s initiative extends that guarantee to all state public universities.

"If a program is working at one school, why shy away from implementing it across the state?” said Faraci. “This is a common-sense change that will help students across the state continue their higher education journey right here at home.”

House Bill 3760 takes effect Jan. 1.