UIC Global Graduate Direct FAQ

• UIC Global is a collaborative partnership between UIC and Shorelight to recruit and matriculate international students into master’s degree programs at UIC. UIC Global utilizes a network of on-site recruiters around the globe to promote UIC graduate programs and work with students through the UIC admissions process.
• The UIC Global Graduate Subcommittee advises the Graduate Direct partnership and includes representatives from both UIC Global (Shorelight) and UIC, including staff from the Graduate College and Office of Global Engagement as well as faculty representatives.
• 34 master’s programs participate in UIC Global Graduate Direct:

• NOTE: The UIC Global Graduate Direct program is not accepting applicants after Spring 2024.
• Unlike an international student who applies to a graduate program through the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, UIC Global applicants work with the UIC Global staff during the admissions process rather than UIC staff. Once admitted, UIC Global staff work with the students to obtain their documents and prepare for visa interview and travel to the U.S. Upon arrival, UIC Global staff provide airport pick up for students and host orientations to Chicago and UIC, in addition to programmatic orientations. UIC Global students are required to attend UIC general international student orientation, hosted by OIS.
• If a student has questions about switching to or from UIC Global, they should contact UIC Global and UIC Graduate and Professional Admissions.

• No, UIC Global students are not eligible for tuition waivers attached to employment (RA, TA, GA) nor eligible for allocated waivers. They are eligible for term hourly employment (i.e. graduate hourly positions with a fixed end date).
• UIC Global students are not eligible for Graduate College fellowships.
• If an international student in your program is interested in employment or assistantships, it is important to discern whether the student is eligible before promising them a position. Please ask the student, consult with the Graduate College, and review the student’s attributes in Banner. Student attributes can be viewed on Banner screen SZACURU (under the Curricula tab) – even if a student has transferred out of a UIC Global program, the attribute remains so its important to check end dates. There are two relevant UIC Global Grad Direct student attributes: 2SEG (assigned when they first enroll) and 2SPG (added after completion of the first semester).

It is important to also consider what opportunities are available to UIC Global students if they choose to leave the UIC Global program. If a student leaves the UIC Global program to enroll in another degree program, they may or may not be eligible for tuition and fee waivers in their new program. Presently, there are three categories of students to consider (this policy is not permanent and is subject to change):

1. The student leaves Shorelight, and applies directly to UIC for the same program they were in under Shorelight Graduate Direct: These students will not be allowed to receive TFWs.
2. The student leaves Shorelight, and applies directly to UIC for a different program also offered under Shorelight Graduate Direct: These students will be allowed to receive TFWs.
3. The student leaves Shorelight, and applies directly to UIC for a different program not offered under Shorelight Graduate Direct: These students will be allowed to receive TFWs.

• UIC Global students are recruited in 2 different ways:
  1. Direct channel: Lead sourcing, ad purchases, social media outreach, hosted events, the UIC Global website.
  2. Agent channel: UIC Global works with channel partners (agents, counselors, etc.) to provide information to prospective applicants regarding the program offerings and application process. Applicants work with channel partners to submit all the required information and communicate status updates and information requested in coordination with their channel partner.
• All marketing materials are vetted through a brand approval process that involves the UIC Global Senior Marketing Coordinator, often in liaison with specific programs or departments. Marketing that appears to be off-message/off-brand should be addressed as a concern to the UIC Global campus team for review.
• UIC Global Admissions process:
  1. Student applies to UIC Global either directly through the UIC Global microsite or in coordination with their agent/channel partner.
  2. Completed applications are reviewed by UIC Global for minimum admissions criteria and a determination of whether they ‘qualify’ for review by the department.
     • Applicants that are qualified meet the stated minimum GPA, minimum overall English proficiency exam score, and additional program requirements. Those applicants are routed to the UIC Global campus team for processing.
     • Note: English proficiency scores that meet the minimum overall score but have a sub-minimum sub-score are forwarded on for UIC consideration. However, if a student does not meet one or more of the minimum criteria (i.e. English proficiency scores, GPA, etc.), their application will not be routed for review by the UIC department.
  3. Applications routed to the UIC Global are reviewed to ensure all materials are complete, then entered in Slate for review by UIC Graduate and Professional Admissions. Once deemed complete, the application is routed to the department for a decision.
  4. Possible application outcomes:
     • Applicants may be rejected by UIC Global because they do not meet minimum UIC admissions requirements. They are sent a denial notice and are not routed to UIC for consideration.
     • Applicants that are routed for UIC departmental review may be:
       • Accepted. Accepted applicants are provided the full offer letter signed by the Graduate College or appropriate authority (if the program is not under the Graduate College purview). Some programs provide additional admissions materials, including limited standing notices, pre-requisite course notices, etc. Those are bundled with the full offer letter and sent via email to the student and their channel partner (if working with a channel partner).
       • Rejected. Applicants rejected by the department are notified by Shorelight.
     • Applicants admitted by the program are also provided a post-acceptance letter from UIC Global that outlines next steps to confirm their admission and make a deposit to UIC Global tocontinue for I-20 document processing. This letter also provides additional information regarding tuition waiver notifications.

• Prior to arrival at UIC, students are provided information related to securing a visa appointment, preparing their arriving flights, housing, etc.
• UIC Global asks students to arrive on a specific date prior to the start of the semester for check-in. Fall 2020’s check in date: August 12, 2020
• In order to avoid conflicts with departmental/college programming, UIC Global hosts a 1-day Orientation two weeks before classes start.
• In coordination with the Graduate College and academic departments, UIC Global collects and provides students with all college, department, and program orientation information for a given term. If no departmental events are scheduled, UIC Global provides students with departmental contact information for advising and registration.
• UIC Global assists students with setting up appointments or attending required department/program events to complete registration and matriculation.
• Upon registration, UIC Global prepares an audit to ensure students are registered full-time before the add/drop period ends.
• UIC Global provides additional student service support to help students with common questions or concerns such as resolving holds, navigating campus resources and housing.
• UIC Global applies an attribute code in Banner once the student has completed the first term Graduate Direct program for data and reporting purposes.

• No. The same academic policies apply for all UIC graduate students, regardless of how they originated to UIC. All UIC Global graduate students are subject to Graduate Catalog policies and applicable program requirements.