Agencies
Services
Upward Mobility Program
Due to significant increases in interest, enrollment and participation, the Upward Mobility Program has exhausted available funding for employee tuition assistance for the current fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
At this time, we are unable to approve additional tuition assistance requests or accept new registrations. Per AFSCME Council 31 and CMS agreement, UMP registration will remain closed. Information regarding registration will be posted in the coming months, please check back for further updates.
All PVAs for FY26 have been issued and sent. Per UMP Policy Guidelines, tuition assistance is contingent upon available funding. Upward Mobility participants wishing to enroll in additional courses for the Spring and Summer semesters in FY26, will be responsible for the full cost of tuition and fees.
While we’re unable to approve additional tuition requests at this time, we truly value your participation in the Upward Mobility Program and commitment to professional growth. Certificate titles are still available for those who wish to pursue UMP titles through testing. If you have any questions, please contact the Upward Mobility Program office at (217)558-6501 or CMS.UMPCounselor@illinois.gov.
Funding for FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) will be available once the State of Illinois budget has been approved and funding released. It is recommended that participants plan for Fall semester courses at the start of the next fiscal year.
What Is the Upward Mobility Program?
The Upward Mobility Program is a joint venture of the State of Illinois and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) designed to provide designated groups of State employees with career counseling and, contingent upon available funding, direct-paid educational and training opportunities that will permit employees to work toward advancement in selected career paths.
Advantages:
- Tuition Assistance: Funding covers tuition and fees directly, making education more accessible.
- Paid Time Off: Employees receive paid time off to take Upward Mobility tests and take necessary classes.
- Contractual Rights: UMP participants gain elevated contractual rights when bidding on Upward Mobility Target Titles, enhancing their chances of securing higher-paying positions.
- Individualized Education Plan: UMP helps individuals advance efficiently by tying testing and education directly to specific target titles.
Am I Qualified?
- Be employed by the State of Illinois.
- Hold a position covered by the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement.
- Have completed their probationary period.
- Meet any additional eligibility requirements specified by their agency.
Applying is as easy as 1-2-3!
For employees who wish to have their current education and experience evaluated for UMP titles in lieu of coursework and/or testing, please see below. Registration is not required.
Explore the titles and find the one you would like to pursue.
Complete the registration process for the Upward Mobility Program.
A Career Counselor will contact you to complete your career development plan.
If you receive a registration ineligibility message and feel it is in error, please know that our system is being updated at this time and may not contain recent information. We are reviewing all registration attempts on a daily basis and verifying eligibility. Once verified, your registration is complete and a counselor will be contacting you. Please allow 2 weeks. If, after verification occurs, you are deemed ineligible, you will receive a separate notification, along with the reason. For questions, please contact Upward Mobility at (833) 452-4836. Thank you.
Ways to Participate
Obtain A Degree
Certain professions require a college degree or credential. The Upward Mobility Program can assist with tuition payment at UMP approved schools and help you get the education you need to advance your career.
Testing
State employees in the Upward Mobility Program can take tests to demonstrate qualifications for specific positions. This process assesses readiness through standardized examinations.
Resume/Experience
Employees with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can submit an UMP Promotional Application, UMP100B, for any dual or credential UMP target titles for which you think you are qualified.