Opportunities
Impact
211,000
Awarded this year
46
Total awards
11%
International Student Scholars
59
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. More than 3000 students have received $5+ million in awards.
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 $6,000 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
2025 Bailey Scholars Reception
We want to celebrate our amazing Scholars!
Join us at the annual Bailey Scholars Reception on Saturday, September 20th at 1:00. We will gather in Latzer Hall at the University YMCA for light refreshments, a keynote speaker, and awards ceremony.
RSVP yes OR no by September 10th here: https://forms.gle/SNssFhcmuggWuXTh7
Please feel free to invite your friends and family. Include them in your RSVP response.
Enrichment Opportunities
Are you a current Bailey Scholar looking for opportunities to fulfill your enrichment requirements? Check out these current opportunities!
- Volunteer at Dump & Run!
- Now through August 24th
- Friday Forum + Conversation Café
- Fridays at 12:00 at the University YMCA
- Visit an Art @ the Y exhibition.
- Exhibitions rotate throughout the semesters.
- More opportunities will be sent in the biweekly Bailey newsletter throughout the year.
- Have something else in mind? Contact Sydney for approval.
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: https://forms.gle/ZSZVcdWweq7XpLLn8
Leadership Opportunities
Are you a current Bailey Scholar looking for opportunities to fulfill your leadership requirements? Check out these current opportunities!
- Illinois Leadership Workshop
- Racial Justice Allies & Advocates Training
- Bailey Fellowship workshops
- Will be announced throughout the year via email and social media.
- Are you a Bailey Leadership Award recipient? Create and lead a workshop for your peers.
- Work with Sydney to develop the workshop. This will count for both of your Leadership requirements.
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: https://forms.gle/ZSZVcdWweq7XpLLn8
Bailey Promotional Materials
Want to share this opportunity with your students? Find various promotional materials here!
Reviewer Tutorial
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 scholarhsip platform and start reviewing your assigned applications! Need help navigating the platform? Check out this video tutorial.
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.