CHICAGO, June 14 -- The University of Chicago (UChicago) on Thursday launched a test-optional admissions process to enhance the accessibility of its undergraduate college for first-generation and low-income students.

This is the first top-ranked college in the United States to institute a test-optional policy. Undergraduate applicants are no longer required to submit Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores, both standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States.

Meanwhile, the university will increase financial aid and programmatic resources to enable more students to pursue higher education, regardless of their background, geographic location or ability to pay, removing the key barriers encountered by underserved and underrepresented students.

Dubbed the UChicago Empower Initiative, the process has focused on three areas: the use of technology for greater flexibility in the admissions process; increased financial support, on-campus programming and online resources for first-generation, rural and underrepresented students, with full tuition aid for students whose families earn less than 125,000 U.S. dollars; and new scholarships and access programs to recognize those who serve the country and local communities.

John W. Boyer, undergraduate dean at the university, said the new admissions process, which continues the university's "unwavering commitment to access and inclusion," will enable students to "present their best, most authentic selves."

"We want students to understand the application does not define you, you define the application," said James G. Nondorf, vice president and dean of Admissions at the university.

The new policy will be implemented with the Class of 2023.