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Thank you for helping us reach our goal!

The need for scholarships and financial aid for ACI-member college students never ends.

Your support helped to unlock a $20,000 match in scholarship funding from the Council of Independent Colleges for the 2026 academic year!

Your continued generosity makes an even greater impact—helping more students stay in school and succeed.

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Mission Statement

Associated Colleges of Illinois supports member colleges and universities by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, career and life.

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Featured Video

Joachim “Gabe” Calalang lives by a motto tattooed on his arm, “Heart Over Height,” which he says encourages him, especially as a basketball player. Calalang played in high school and has been part of the Rockford University men’s basketball team the past three seasons. “I’m 5-6. I’m a point guard,” he says. “The meaning of Heart Over Height means that it doesn’t matter how tall you are, where you go, or where you’re from. If you have heart, nothing can stop you.” Those same words encourage Calalang in life and in his work to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Rockford University.

Read more of Gabe’s story.