Undergraduate Awards
The Bailey Undergraduate awards are $3000 awards ($1500/semester) given each year to undergraduate students at the University of Illinois who have demonstrated positive impact and commitment as a result of service, community involvement, leadership, and action.
Leadership Awards
The Bailey Leadership Awards are $5000 awards ($2500/semester) given each year to four exceptional upcoming seniors who have made a demonstrated impact on the University of Illinois campus during their initial three years on campus in one or more of the following areas: Social Justice, Environment, Interfaith Cooperation, and Global Engagement. Students who have previously received a Bailey Scholarship and will graduate during the upcoming year may still apply, but a Bailey Leadership award and Bailey Scholarship cannot both be received in the same academic year.
Eligibility/Qualifications
All undergraduate students who will be enrolled at UIUC throughout the upcoming term are eligible to apply for an award of $3000. Students who have previously received an award may reapply for the scholarship each year but must demonstrate a continued commitment to service and/or activism, academic achievement, and personal development. All undergraduate students who will graduate during the upcoming academic year are automatically considered for the leadership award. You do not need to fill out a separate application.
Decision Criteria
- Qualified applicants will demonstrate positive impact as a result of service, community involvement, leadership, and action;
- Qualified applicants will demonstrate awareness and critical thought about the pressing issues facing the world today;
- Financial need and academic achievement will also be considered.
Application Timeline
November 7 - Applications for 2017-18 open online
February 18 - Application submission deadline
February 23- Reference letter submission deadline
April 30 - Applicants notified of decisions
Program Requirements
All first-time undergraduate scholars must participate in a minimum of 2 leadership workshops or retreats and two enrichment events during each semester. These activities may be from a pre-approved list or may be arranged with approval of the Bailey Scholarship Director.
For a full list of pre-approved leadership and enrichment activities click here >>>
All returning scholarship recipients and leadership award recipients are required to plan and present a skill-based workshop on a topic of their choosing. To prepare you, you are required to attend two training workshops during the fall semester on “Developing Workshop Curriculum” and “Communications and Workshop Planning.”