'It's a record number of applications,' said Admissions Director Andrew Borst, adding that he's 'confident' that Urbana's new Illinois Commitment free-tuition program was a factor. URBANA — The actual numbers won't be released until next fall, but applications to the University of Illinois are up more than 10 percent this year, driven in part by interest in a new free-tuition program. Applications rose by more than 10 percent systemwide at the UI's three campuses in Urbana, Chicago and Springfield, over the 62,800 received last year, UI officials said. read more