What is the Salute to Academic Achievement (SAA)?
Salute to Academic Achievement (SAA) is an annual event hosted since 1984 by the President of the University of Illinois System, to honor the state of Illinois’ most talented students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups, and from underrepresented counties in Illinois.
The 2022 SAA is an invitation-only event. This year’s SAA Program and College Fair will be held at the UIC Dorin Forum at the University of Illinois Chicago.* It includes:
A Program to celebrate students’ academic achievements, hear from current Honors Students at our three University of Illinois System universities (Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield), and encourage students to consider attending one of the universities.
A College Fair with college, admissions, financial aid, and housing representatives from the three University of Illinois System universities.
Application Fee Waivers for future applications for admission for each university, for invited students who attend SAA.
An Individualized Certificate of Academic Achievement to honor the state of Illinois’ most talented high school seniors.
Attendees include high school seniors, their parent or adult guest, and high school counselors, as well as University of Illinois leaders and staff.
* If the State of Illinois COVID-19 guidelines do not allow for an in-person event in September 2022, a virtual event will be held instead.
