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Fred S. Bailey Scholarships

Each year we award nearly $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.

Impact

198,000

Dollars in scholarships given this year

47

Scholars and Fellows

11%

International Student Scholars

77

% of Scholars identify as Black, Hispanic, Latine, Asian, or Multi-racial

History

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. When he passed away in 1955, his Will established the Fred Bailey Trust and designated two-thirds of the income to be paid to the University YMCA for scholarships to U of I students on the basis of "moral character, intelligence, leadership and scholarship without regard to their field of study."

Over the past 70 years, the University YMCA has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to thousands of University of Illinois students through the Bailey Scholarship Program. Since 2001, over 500 students have received $3+ million.

In 2009, the University YMCA updated and fully integrated the Bailey Scholarship Program within its programming. As a result, the criteria changed to emphasize service and action in addition to financial need and academic achievement. This review also led to the creation of the Bailey Leadership Awards, four $8,000 awards given to upcoming seniors who have made an exceptional impact in one of the following areas: Social Justice, Environment, Faith in Action, and International Issues.

In 2013, the program added the Fred S. Bailey Fellowship for Community Leadership, Service, and Activism to support graduate and professional students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus who have shown a strong commitment to community organizing, activism, and/or service. The Fellowship offers a $14,000 stipend and a tuition and partial fee waiver for most programs. The Unpaid Internship program provides $1,500 and $3,000 to students who accept part-time or full-time volunteer social impact internships with public service agencies and non-profit organizations.

Resources

Enrichment Opportunities

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

Leadership Opportunities

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

Sample Resume

Applicants should ensure their resume showcases their community involvement.

Sample Internship MOU

BEFORE THE INTERNSHIP

Unpaid Internship Scholars must submit a signed Letter of Agreement, learning objectives and a final job description before their internship start date. These items must be approved by both the faculty sponsor and the Bailey Scholarship Director.  

You must also submit a Site Agreement Memorandum of Understanding to be completed and signed by your Site Sponsor.

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Support the Bailey Scholarship program today!

Your support enables us to provide dedicated staff support and programming for Bailey Scholars - helping them to develop to their fullest potential.