1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820 | M-TH 9A-9P,
F 9A-5P, Sa-Su events only | hello.ymca@universityymca.org | (217) 337-1500 |
Each year we award over $200,000 to undergraduate and graduate students with a strong record of leadership and scholarship, commitment to social impact, and a history of community service and volunteering. If this is you, we encourage you to apply in the next cycle.
February: Undergraduate Scholarship and Graduate Fellowship
April: Unpaid Internship Scholarship
Three awards for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students, in any field of study.
For undergraduates who have shown positive impact and commitment through service, community involvement, leadership, and action. Upcoming seniors are also considered for $6,000 Leadership Awards.
About the award & how to apply →
The Fellowship for Community Leadership, Service, and Activism, for students with a strong commitment to community organizing, activism, or service.
About the award & how to apply →
For undergraduates who accept part-time or full-time unpaid social impact internships with public service agencies and nonprofit organizations.
About the award & how to apply →awarded this year
total awards
international student scholars
of scholars identify as Black, Hispanic, Latine, Asian, or Multi-racial
As President of Champaign National Bank, Fred S. Bailey developed a strong appreciation for the University YMCA and believed in its commitment to develop and nurture ethical leaders who were committed to making the world a better place.
For nearly 70 years, the University YMCA has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to thousands of University of Illinois students through the Bailey Scholarship Program.
Bailey's will establishes the Fred Bailey Trust, designating two-thirds of its income for scholarships to U of I students on the basis of "moral character, intelligence, leadership and scholarship without regard to their field of study."
The program is fully integrated into Y programming, with criteria that emphasize service and action alongside financial need and academic achievement. The review also creates the Bailey Leadership Awards for upcoming seniors making an exceptional impact in Social Justice, Environment, Interfaith Cooperation, or Global Engagement, at first four $5,000 awards. Today a Leadership Award adds $2,000 to the $4,000 undergraduate scholarship.
The Fred S. Bailey Fellowship for Community Leadership, Service, and Activism is added for graduate and professional students. Tuition and partial fee waivers are available for most programs through the student's department.
More than 3,100 students have received over $5.5 million in Bailey awards.
Thank you for joining our 2026 reception! Materials from the reception are linked below.
Are you a current Bailey Scholar looking for opportunities to fulfill your enrichment requirements? Check out these current opportunities!
Additional opportunities will be announced via email to all Bailey Scholars throughout the year. Scholars can also request approval of other events and workshops and develop their own leadership development plan! For approval, contact the Bailey Scholarship Director, Sydney Curts, sydney@universityymca.org
All activities should be recorded through this form.
Are you a current Bailey Scholar looking for opportunities to fulfill your leadership requirements? Check out these current opportunities!
Additional opportunities will be announced via email to all Bailey Scholars throughout the year. Scholars can also request approval of other events and workshops and develop their own leadership development plan! For approval, contact the Bailey Scholarship Director, Sydney Curts, sydney@universityymca.org
All activities should be recorded through this form.
Want to share this opportunity with your students? Find various promotional materials here!
The first time you log into the platform, you will need to create a password. Using the email you provided to Bailey Staff, follow this link to set your password.
Once you have set your password, you can log into the scholarship platform and start reviewing your assigned applications! Need help navigating the platform? Check out this video tutorial.
Your support enables us to provide dedicated staff support and programming for Bailey Scholars, helping them to develop to their fullest potential.
Donate todayContact Sydney Curts, Bailey Scholarship Director, with questions or to request approval for an activity.
Email Sydney
1001 S. Wright St.
Champaign, IL 61820
Mon–Thu 9a–9p
Fri 9a–5p
Sat–Sun events only
We do not have swim or fitness facilities. For the Stephens Family YMCA, call (217) 359-9622.
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