University of Evansville, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Partner to Guarantee Admission and $20,000 Scholarships

Evansville, Ind. (11/06/2026) — The University of Evansville (UE) has partnered with Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) to make earning a bachelor's degree more accessible and affordable, offering eligible transfer students guaranteed admission and a minimum academic scholarship of $20,000 per year.

The IECC includes Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Olney Central College in Olney, and Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

Under the agreement, IECC students who complete an associate degree in good standing with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 qualify for guaranteed general admission to a bachelor's degree program at UE. Their annual scholarship range starts at $20,000 per year but can go up to $30,000 per year based on grade point average.

Some programs have additional admission requirements. Music and Theatre applicants must complete an audition, while applicants to Nursing, Engineering, and Computer Science are subject to additional review of their academic credentials.

"Community college students have already put in the work toward earning their degrees. We want them to see what's possible next and know that the University of Evansville is an option worth considering," said Cherie Leonhardt, manager of transfer admission at UE. "Illinois Eastern students bring valuable experiences and perspectives to the classroom, and we're excited about the opportunity to help them build on what they've already accomplished. We look forward to getting to know these students and supporting their continued success."

"The GAA with the University of Evansville demonstrates IECC's commitment to putting students first by creating intentional pathways from community college to university completion," said Dr. Cathy Robb, IECC vice chancellor of academic affairs. "This partnership with UE provides students with the confidence to begin their educational journey at IECC, knowing they have a transfer opportunity to continue toward a bachelor's degree. Partnering together, we are improving access and helping students achieve their educational and career goals while strengthening the communities we serve."

The partnership is designed to welcome IECC students and provide them with a scholarship boost to attend UE. Articulation agreements between both schools will follow making clearer pathways to a four-year degree while reducing uncertainty around the transfer process and lowering the cost of continuing their education.

To learn more about transferring to the University of Evansville, visit evansville.edu/transfer.