James Scholar Honors Program
Recognizing academically outstanding students
The James Scholar Program at Gies Business supports students who have demonstrated high academic potential and motivation to pursue their purpose as future business leaders and scholars.
James Scholar Program benefits
As a James Scholar, you get:
Academic benefits
- Enjoy early registration for your classes
- Take honors sections of general education and business core courses
- Earn honors status on your official university transcript
- Be recognized with a special medallion and honors distinction at graduation
Community and leadership opportunities
- Attend the Sleeman Leadership Institute, a conference for first-year students
- Participate in unique service, social, and professional development activities
- Receive and share advice from other students in a peer mentorship program
James Scholar success stories
Hear from students about how they have benefited from their experiences in the James Scholar Program.
"The James Scholar program gave me a supportive community where I could ask questions, learn from peers, and grow more confident in myself. It has truly been an incredibly rewarding experience."
Ema Janeska
"The benefits, like priority registration and smaller, more interactive classes, have helped me thrive academically, and the weekly newsletters always introduce me to experiences I wouldn’t have discovered on my own."
Anne Margalith
"The most valuable aspect of the James Scholars program for me is access to small honors sections, where I could ask questions and have one-on-one conversations."
Connor Marron
"Being surrounded by a group of driven and smart individuals from whom I can always learn something has pushed me to grow in ways I would not have otherwise."
Brandon Schnack
"I was motivated to join the James Scholar program because of the incredible career opportunities it offers and the enhanced college experience that comes with being part of this program."
Sabina Tong
Eligibility
Learners are evaluated holistically for their potential as James Scholars and invited to the program as they meet eligibility requirements.
Once admitted into the program, James Scholars are expected to meet certain eligibility requirements, including but not limited to:
- Maintaining a minimum Illinois Term GPA of 3.50 each semester
- Completing a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester
- Adhering to the rules for academic integrity at Illinois
How to become a James Scholar
Incoming first-year students, transfer students, and students preparing to enter their sophomore year at Gies Business will be considered for eligibility in the James Scholar Honors Program.
To see your participation options, click on the menu option that best applies to you.
Incoming first-year students
When you apply for admission to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you’ll be automatically considered for participation in the James Scholar Honors Program. There is no additional application required.
If determined as eligible, you’ll receive an invitation to participate in the program prior to your arrival on campus. Typically, the top 10% of incoming first-year students are eligible to participate.
Continuing students
Students preparing to enter their sophomore year at Gies Business – or transferring in – will also be evaluated for James Scholar eligibility. If you meet eligibility requirements, you’ll be invited to submit a short application to the program.
Juniors and seniors are not eligible to apply to the James Scholar Honors Program at Gies Business.
Transfer students
Off-Campus Transfers (OCT): If you are transferring into Gies Business as a sophomore or junior from a community college or another university, you will be extended an invitation to the James Scholar Program upon certifying your membership in an academic honors program, college, or society at your originating institution.
Inner Collegiate Transfers (ICT): If you are currently a James Scholar in another college at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you will maintain your James Scholar status upon transferring into Gies Business, provided you are still meeting eligibility requirements for the program.
If you are transferring into Gies Business without James Scholar status, you may be invited to join the program if you are in the top 5% of incoming ICT students.