Heaven Cole of Chicago, a graduate of Wells High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall semester of 2026 and awarded a $16,000 Star Scholar Award for tuition over four years. At UIS, she will major in criminology and criminal justice.

The scholarship is awarded based on high school GPA and can be renewed if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

In high school, she was inolved in yearbook, basketball and the Black Student Union.

“UIS offers a supportive learning environment, smaller class sizes and strong academic programs that match my goals,” Cole said. “I also like that UIS gives students opportunities to grow through internships, leadership and campus development. Being part of the University of Illinois system makes it feel like a place where I can get a quality education while still receiving personal support.”

Following graduation, she plans to continue her education by attending law school.

All undergraduate first-year students are automatically eligible for Star Scholar First Year Scholarships. To receive $16,000 over four years, the student must have an unweighted GPA of 3.25-3.49.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217-206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu. View a full list of scholarship opportunities.

Students can apply online for admission to UIS. Contact the UIS Office of Admission at admissions@uis.eduor 217-206-4847 with questions.