The University of Illinois System is launching Transfer Drive, which provides a full range of support for income-eligible students transferring to its three universities from select Illinois community colleges.

Each university is partnering with a community college to connect students with a dedicated transfer coordinator and milestone-based help with expenses. Research shows services like these can double graduation rates for low-income students.

The University of Illinois Chicago is partnering with Harold Washington College, part of City Colleges of Chicago. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is partnering with Elgin Community College, while the University of Illinois Springfield is partnering with Champaign’s Parkland College.

Transfer Drive will begin accepting students in fall 2026. All three system universities already offer programs covering tuition and fees for eligible Illinois families earning $75,000 annually or less.

“Transfer Drive allows our future students to navigate potential hurdles and focus their energies on the pursuit of academic success during and after their community college experience,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “Growing our partnerships that support economic mobility is one more way the U of I System ensures that Illinois students have access to an affordable world-class education.”

The U of I System is partnering with One Million Degrees, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to community college student success, to offer Transfer Drive support and services.

For more information about Transfer Drive, visit uillinois.edu/TransferDrive.