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"As Governor of the State of Illinois, I am proud to offer to you an invitation to explore our higher education system. Ours is truly a system of unlimited choices and unparalleled opportunities. A cornerstone of this state's foundation is the belief in excellence through education. We maintain this commitment through a superior higher education system. We have worked hard to assure that for all our students, their future can be as bright as their dreams. The business of higher education in Illinois has meant turning those dreams into reality. This state is home to world-renowned programs of international diversity and recognition that are complemented by individualized programs tailor-made to suit each student's needs. I invite you to explore Illinois' variety of higher education services and, in turn, help your dreams find direction." The
Honorable George H Ryan A state of diverse interests and people, Illinois is a community of cultures with a rich history, vast resources and incredible beauty. Illinois has always been - and remains today - a land of great agricultural and industrial might, of quiet villages, vital towns, and world-class cities. But most of all, Illinois is a state of pioneers for new frontiers. From Abraham Lincoln to Carl Sandburg, from Jean Baptist Du Sable to Ulysses S Grant, Illinois has been a leader in producing leaders. How does Illinois continually meet such a high standard of excellence? One of the answers comes from Illinois' world-renowned higher education system. Ask any students in Illinois' higher education system what they like best about it, and they are likely to list a myriad of benefits, from teachers who enjoy teaching to state-of-the-art facilities, to affordable excellence. Look for an underlying theme to this variety of answers, however, and you will find that the thing binding these diverse answers together is just that: their diversity. This is because the real best thing is about Illinois' higher education system is simple: what's best for each student. The predominant benefits of the system are the choices that allow each student to tailor individual educational programs to meet their needs, finances and dreams. Higher education in Illinois is as diverse as the population and their educational needs. In the fall of 1998, 731,595 students attended Illinois' 181 public and private colleges and universities - a student population as varied as the state, nation and world from which they came. Together, these colleges and universities offer a full range of educational opportunities, including nearly 700 bachelor's degree programs, more than 550 master's degree programs, nearly 200 doctoral programs, plus professional degrees in law, medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. In addition, Illinois has one of the finest community college systems in the United States, charged with providing workforce preparation for Illinois business and industry, as well as low-cost pre-baccalaureate and technical information. Equally respected affordability and cost-effective standards are buttresses to this prestigious higher education delivery system. Recognizing the importance of providing effective cost plans to international students, many higher education institutions in Illinois offer in-state or reduced tuition rates to those coming to America from overseas. Grants (including tuition waivers) are the largest source of financial assistance in Illinois, followed closely by loans, a reversal of the national pattern and an indication of the State's commitment to supporting scholarship aid, particularly need-based programs. In fact, the Monetary Award Program in Illinois is the second largest need-based program in the nation. In addition to this superior funding system, resources are allocated where it matters most: the classroom. More dollars are spent on instruction than any other resource in public universities, community colleges and private institutions. Students are exposed to leaders in their respective fields throughout Illinois' higher education system, but perhaps more importantly, they are taught by leaders who enjoy teaching. Emphasis is routinely placed on quality instruction that is strongly supported by significant funding for research and student support. Virtually all Illinois public and private universities and colleges provide specialized support services for international students - wherever they choose to study, a broad variety of specialized programs and services are available to enhance the educational experience. These services are designed to assist the international student in making the transition from their own culture to that of the Midwestern United States, and include everything from basic immigration documentation to elaborate orientations, international week activities, international student housing, and academic support services such as English as a Second Language. One of the major areas of support for all students in Illinois comes in the form of our commitment to cutting-edge technology that is made available to all students. Illinois is investing over $90 million over the next three years to develop the Illinois Century Network, to replace outdated technology with state-of-the-art systems to improve the quality, usability and access to a truly high-speed information artery. The Illinois Century Network will give the State a telecommunications pipeline so large, so fast, and so reliable that it will make learning available virtually anytime, anywhere. It will connect schools, colleges, universities, libraries and museums in a vast community of learners throughout the State. Campus resources, from invaluable faculty to innovative supercomputers, will be made available to all students at any time and in any location. Illinois also has a plethora of natural resources available for any student to draw upon. From the top minds in the country to the top libraries in the world, from sites of natural beauty to locations of historical significance, Illinois has something for everyone. From world-class cities with magnificent restaurants, theaters and activities, to historic main streets and villages, Illinois has something for you. But you don't have to take our word for it. You are welcome to ask any of the 21,000 international students who have chosen Illinois as their home for higher education, making it the sixth most popular destination in the country. Or you can explore Illinois' web page at http://www.state.il.us to find links to all of Illinois' resources. We're sure you'll find the Illinois higher education system to be your passport to the future!
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