Zoey’s UIC story: Money worries erased. Support from all angles.
Zoey’s UIC story: Money worries erased. Support from all angles.
Zoey Zhang’s voice still cracks when she describes how anxious and lonely she felt during her first few weeks at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) — a big difference from Richard J. Daley Community College, where she made friends and found her place quickly.
At first, she kept to herself.
Her advisor knew her reserved demeanor went beyond the challenging pre-dental course weighing on the transfer student’s mind and suggested she connect with a Peer Success Coach.
Something shifted when Zoey saw Aislinn Delgado’s smiling face on the program’s website. Aislinn was a senior, an expert at navigating UIC, and even on the same pre-dental track. During their first meeting, Aislinn eased Zoey’s mind about the course and invited her to join the pre-dental club.
Finally, she unclenched her teeth and let her shoulders relax. No longer feeling alone, Zoey was on her way to making UIC feel like home.
To attract and welcome transfer students with similar stories, the University of Illinois System works hard to ensure academic, financial, and social support exists for any situation.
For Zoey and others, the support starts long before their first class.
Aspire grant’s no-cost promise
Before Zoey started her journey, she and her parents knew they could rely on the financial support of UIC’s new Aspire grant. Launched in fall 2025, Aspire offers eligible families with an annual income lower than $75,000 a life-changing opportunity: a degree for $0 in tuition and fees.
“Aspire allows me to focus on my studies instead of worrying about tuition,” Zoey said. “It gives me more time and energy to devote to my education and prepare for my long-term goals.”
For UIC’s Kiely Fletcher, sharing the reality of Aspire means answering “yes” to one question — “Wait. I don’t pay anything?” — over and over again.
“I love the ‘aha moment’ when I assure students and families there’s no bill and no catch,” the UIC vice provost of enrollment management said. “One of the best parts of my job is seeing people realize that the education they thought wasn’t possible most certainly is.”
So far, UIC has enrolled 3,589 inaugural Aspire recipients: 2,798 first-year students and 791 transfer students. While it may take time for new students to adjust, they’re never alone — and their ranks are growing.
This academic year proves it. UIC first-year student enrollment increased by 22% while the number of transfer students increased by 15%. This growth extends across the system’s three campuses, which saw a 9% increase in first-year students and a 10% increase in transfer students, pushing total enrollment past 100,000 for the first time.
To help all students thrive, UIC offers robust academic and social resources — including the Peer Success Coaching so crucial for Zoey.