Read and learn all about the fantastic people behind the scenes at the Tutorium. They work very hard to ensure your journey here is a great one. When you see them around campus, say hello. They would love to see you!

Admissions and Services Chair

Tell us about yourself. 
I live in Crystal Lake, IL, a suburb about 50 miles from Chicago. Some of my friends (or people who can’t pronounce or remember my name!) call me Bea or just “B." I have a wonderful husband and two young boys who love sports, especially wrestling. 

What do you do here at the Tutorium? 
I managed all day-to-day operations of the Tutorium and oversee our Admissions and Services Team and the Academic Team.

What do you love about your job? 
I enjoy all the challenges that the job brings. Every day is different, and I never know who I'm going to be able to help or what problem I'll get to solve. It's never a boring day at the office! I also love the people I work with. They are smart, hardworking, and truly care about our students! 

Where can students find you? 
The office! 

What is one piece of advice you have for students? 
Don’t worry about what you don’t know or understand, but use the English that you have to complete any task. Be confident!

Do you have questions about when to pay your tuition or how to check your account? We have the answers for you. 

When is my payment due?

Tuition and fee charges for Fall term are billed in September. Payment for UIC tuition and any fees is due on the 28th of September. If you signed up for a tuition payment plan, each payment is due on the 28th of each month.

How do I check my account?

Log into UI-Pay (paymybill) with your NetID and password to review your student account and make a payment.

Do not wait until the last minute to look at your account. Before the tuition due date, check your account to make sure the charges are correct and learn how to make your payment. If you have any problems, you need time to fix them before the tuition due date.

Who do I contact if I have a problem?

If you see any charges that you do not understand or recognize, notify us at tutorium@uic.edu.

Is there a fee if I pay by credit card?

Yes, there is a fee. You can avoid this fee by paying with your bank account information. Learn more about payment options.

To find out more information about paying your UIC tuition and fees, as well as what you should do to make sure you know how to pay your tuition on time, read more>>.

All students at UIC must have health insurance. Although the Tutorium does not offer insurance, we can help you find one that works for you. Information is on our website at Health Insurance & Vaccinations. Here is a list of companies. Contact the office at tutorium@uic.edu if you have questions or need assistance.

Be careful of dangerous scams! International Students are often targets of scams.  

An embassy or immigration or important agency will NEVER call or text an International Student. If you get a phone call talking about immigration problems or money issues, it is probably a scam. Scammers use technology to pretend that they are from official phone numbers. They also use psychology to make you scared. If you get a phone call, say you cannot talk and hang up the phone. Before calling back, check the information with someone from the Tutorium or OIS office.

If you ever receive a phone call and feel unsure, please speak with a teacher, Tutorium staff member, or someone in the OIS office. To find more information on how to deal with these types of calls, read more>>.

UIC requires all new students to show that they are vaccinated for the following diseases:

If you are missing any of these, you should get them now. Make sure you have papers from your doctor showing you have these done. You will need to show them to UIC.

We had a blast celebrating the beginning of a new semester with both old and new friends. It was so fun seeing everyone laugh, play bean bag toss, throw a frisbee, and enjoy each other's company. The weather was beautiful! Overall, it was a great way to start the semester. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to join the fun. 

Are you planning to apply to a university or college in the USA? Do you need help with understanding the meaning of credit and credit hours? Have you ever wondered the difference between a major or minor, certificate, or specialization? Do you have so many questions and need help figuring out where to start? Applying to a university or college in the USA can be scary and challenging. The good news is that you are not alone. We are here to help! 

Join us on Wednesday, September 17th, at 2:30 pm in AH 104 for our first university seminar. Come ask all your questions about higher education in the USA and learn some helpful vocabulary, too! 

If you want to ask questions ahead of time, email us at tutorium@uic.edu.

Would you like to win a $500 or $250 scholarship? Check out this year's Thanksgiving Card Design Contest!

The deadline to submit is Monday, Sept. 15. The winner and the runner-up will be notified of their scholarship by Monday, Sept. 22.

The winning artwork will be shared digitally and in print with the campus community, alumni, donors, and friends of UIC.

Contest theme: A Season of Gratitude

Original artwork or photography (photography must not include any identifiable people, stock images, or religious themes) should reflect any of the following themes:

UIC will give credit to you if you decide to submit your artwork/photography, but UIC will retain all reproduction rights. 

If you would like more information, please check out 2025 Chancellor’s Thanksgiving Card Design Contest

Spark is UIC’s very own music concert. Spark is free for UIC students. This event offers a mix of entertainment for UIC’s diverse campus community. At this event, there will be live music, food to purchase, and lots of students having fun. 

Date: Saturday, September 13th 

Location: Harrison Field (located on the corner of Halsted/Harrison Street)

In order to attend this concert, an RSVP is required (You must sign up if you want to go). If you want to see what Spark is like, watch this video and plan to join the fun this year! 

To find out more information about who will be performing and when the concert will start, read more>>.

Looking for something fun to do in Chicago with friends that’s free? Look no further! You don’t have to go far to find fun things to do like jamming to music at a music festival, exploring an iconic neighborhood, exploring one of Chicago’s amazing museums, or even enjoying a night under the stars. There’s something for everyone, and you can enjoy it while the weather is nice. To find out all the fun, free things happening in Chicago this month, read more>>. Grab a friend and start exploring!

The following section of the newsletter is written by Vit Vanicek, one of our teachers here at the Tutorium. With Vit's advice, you're sure to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Reading is an important part of your class work. You read instructions, articles, and other students' work in class. But what do you read outside of class time? 

You may have never read in English in your free time. It's time to change that. To successfully pass your course, you must read in English every day. But how can you do it? To learn tips on how you can make reading in English more a part of your everyday routine, read more>>. 

Although the semester has just begun, you might be wondering about your grades. Guess what? You can check the grades for your assignments, tests, projects, and homework in Blackboard. Here’s how to view them

To learn more about viewing your grades, read more>>.

The following section of the newsletter is written by one of our advisors here at the Tutorium. Our advisors are here to help answer questions and steer you toward the right path for you.

Did you know? Most students apply to multiple universities. American students are often told to apply to three or more schools. Which ones should you apply to?

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.