ASB is looking for enthusiastic individuals who are eager to explore a variety of social, political, and environmental issues. A good application will exhibit creativity and the ability to reflect thoughtfully about social issues. ASB also strives to place diverse groups whose members will contribute a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints to their trip’s discussions. While writing your application be thoughtful, creative, and let us know what motivates you.

Each ASB participant's fee goes into an overall trip fund. The largest percentage of the fee is used to pay for travel expenses such as fuel and van rental. The money is also applied towards housing and food.

Yes! Freshmen, first time participants, and individuals without prior leadership experience are encouraged to apply. ASB will provide all site-facilitators with the necessary training to facilitate their trips.

Yes. The Maria Somma Scholarship gives monetary awards for applicants demonstrating financial need. The scholarship may range from partial coverage up to the total cost of the trip (excluding deposit). To apply for a scholarship, you must fill out the Maria Somma Scholarship portion of the application.

A Site-facilitator's primary responsibility is to serve as a liaison between his or her group, the site, and ASB planning board. Site-facilitators maintain regular contact with the host agency and ensure housing arrangements and a trip itinerary are confirmed. They also conduct weekly group meetings that facilitate group bonding, education, and training about their trip’s site and issue. Site-facilitators attend weekly training sessions during the months prior to their trip. For further information consult the ASB policies or contact site-facilitator trainers (site_fac_trainers@illinoisasb.org).

The ASB experience extends beyond just a week of volunteering. Before the trip is sent, participants work with their fellow participants to plan and execute both a small fundraiser and a pre-break volunteer day. All trips hold weekly meetings to discuss pre-break activities and to encourage group bonding. Participants will also meet with another trip for a "coffee talk" to discuss their trips' issues. After students return from their trips, they are expected to carry out a post-break "coffee talk" and volunteer day.

ASB would like to place all applicants on a trip. In most instances applicants are not placed if they only ranked one or two trips that are very popular. Placement is done anonymously and is based solely on your essays and trip rankings. To increase your chances of placement, take time to write quality essays and rank several trips.

Housing arrangements vary between trips. Often, host agencies will provide on-site housing for participants. In some cases, groups stay at churches, hostels, or are housed with host families.

All [currently registered] University of Illinois undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.

Even though ASB added fall break trips in 2001, winter trips in 2003, and summer trips in 2005 we still retain our original name for better recognition.