DeKalb Times

Illinois high school graduates and college transfer students can now enroll in universities across the state using a single computer app website, saving them the struggle of applying to each school individually.

The app access includes 12 public universities in Illinois.

Jesse Ruiz, the Illinois deputy governor for education, told FOX 32 Chicago students could apply to the universities all at one time through the website app.

College students can use an app to find higher education options. | Adobe Stock

"Now there is one common app where students can go and access all our universities," Ruiz said. "We are only the second state in the nation to have all its public universities on the common app."

Ruiz said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker allotted $1 million funding in the state budget to upgrade the college admissions process, in essence adjoining all universities as one. 

"It makes it easier for our students to explore all the great [college] options," Ruiz said.

Asked how easy the system is to use, Ruiz said much easier. He recalled his own university admission experience before computers when he had to type out each admission form individually by typewriter.

"It [app] is much easier," Ruiz said. "It takes a lot of complexity out of the system."

School officials have said the program's stated goal is to keep more Illinois students in-state to pursue their university educations and streamline the admission process, ensuring equity and integrity.

According to the website, every year, more than a million first-generation students apply to colleges, do research on student aid and availability of scholarships, or seek on-campus counseling services through a common app.

The system is intended to increase the number of students continuing on to higher education and including more diverse groups of students by making the enrollment process less difficult and removing barriers, the website stated. 

For information, go to www.commonapp.org/about.