Illinois Scholarships
Key takeaways:
- Higher education is much more expensive in Illinois than in other U.S. states.
- Illinois scholarships are available for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students who are either attending college or residing in Illinois.
- The best Illinois scholarship for any particular student will differ based on their personal circumstances, including their financial need, minority status, year in college, or other traits.
As of 2024, the average cost of attending a public Illinois college was almost 22% higher than the U.S. national average. Thankfully, there are many scholarships available for Illinois residents and those attending schools in Illinois. Keep reading to find out more about the best Illinois scholarships available.
The 25 Best Illinois Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2025
What are Illinois scholarships?
Illinois scholarships are financial awards granted to residents of or students attending college in the state of Illinois. A student’s eligibility for different Illinois scholarships may vary based on factors such as their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, current school year, and other personal qualities. For example, minority students may be eligible for select scholarships that other students are not.
Unlike some other types of financial aid, scholarships do not need to be repaid. Illinois scholarship seekers can minimize or even avoid student debt entirely by winning these awards. Since applying for scholarships is free, it’s a good idea to apply to as many as you can to secure the highest chance of winning.
How to apply for Illinois scholarships
Different Illinois scholarships have different qualifications. Some are available to any student attending college anywhere in Illinois while others may be exclusive to those attending select colleges and holding residence in certain counties. Always check the requirements of scholarships before you apply to make sure you are eligible.
Scholarships.com provides the information you’ll need to apply to Illinois scholarships. When you sign up for an account and match with all the awards for which you are eligible, you can find detailed instructions on how to apply within the scholarship description.
Many Illinois scholarships will require applicants to have a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file to be eligible. Make sure you complete the FAFSA and submit it in advance of its deadline, as well as the deadlines of any scholarships for which you intend to apply.
Keep in mind that submitting the FAFSA does not require you to take out student loans. The FAFSA simply allows the government to assess your financial circumstances. This information is needed to determine your eligibility for student loans, but it does not require you to take them.
What are the best Illinois scholarships?
The best Illinois scholarship for any particular student will differ based on that student’s circumstances and needs. Eligibility requirements and award amounts vary by scholarship, so certain students’ needs might align best with scholarships that other students’ do not.
Generally, the best Illinois scholarships are the ones whose eligibility criteria are tailored most specifically to the applicant. This is because the more specific a scholarship is, the smaller the pool of people will be able to apply, meaning those who are eligible will face less competition and have a higher chance to win.
For example, the Acorn Equality Fund’s awards are considered low-competition, so eligible students should prioritize applying. Their baseline eligibility requirements are membership in or allyship to the LGBTQ+ community and residence in Downstate Illinois. Particular Acorn Equality Fund scholarships have more specific requirements, including volunteering, an interest in public health, and community advocacy.
Another example of a low-competition scholarship is the Peppy Moldovan Memorial Award. To apply, students must be female, undergraduate sophomores enrolled in select universities to study engineering. The specificity of this award makes it a great option for eligible college students.
Frequently asked questions about Illinois scholarships
How do I find Illinois scholarships?
The best way to find Illinois scholarships is to sign up for an account on Scholarships.com. When you input your demographics, Scholarships.com will automatically match you with all the scholarships for which you are eligible, including those specific to Illinois students. From there, you can sort your scholarship matches by amount or deadline to prioritize your applications.
Are there any local scholarships for Chicago students?
Many Illinois scholarships are available to students statewide, including residents of Chicago. However, there are some scholarships designated specifically for Chicago residents. Even considering the city’s high population density, Chicago scholarships pull from a smaller applicant pool than statewide scholarships, so Chicago students should apply for as many as they can.
For example, the Community Services Block Grant Scholarships for Chicago Residents are awards of up to $5,000 for low-income Chicago residents in higher education. Because these awards are local to Chicago and relatively restrictive in their eligibility guidelines, qualified students have a high chance of winning if they apply.
What are the best Illinois scholarships for high school seniors?
There are countless Illinois scholarships available to high school seniors. The best ones will vary based on your particular circumstances. For example, if you are a high school senior planning to attend the University of Chicago and have significant financial need, the University of Chicago’s Odyssey Scholarship might be your best option. It offers, at maximum value, full-tuition aid for incoming University of Chicago students with financial need.
Are there Illinois scholarships for graduate students?
There are Illinois scholarships available for all kinds of college students, including graduate students. Given the huge number of scholarships available, students should consider their personal traits and unique life circumstances to narrow down their scholarship searches.
The IWEA Clean Water Scholarship, for example, is a great choice for graduate students in water-related fields of study. It is open to undergraduate upperclassmen and graduate students who reside in or attend college in Illinois.
Do I have to have financial need to win an Illinois scholarship?
Many Illinois scholarships are solely merit-based and do not consider financial need as an eligibility requirement. For example, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program offers awards of up to $23,000 to students pursuing careers in teaching in Illinois. If you are a high school senior, college freshman, or college sophomore pursuing a teaching education, you may qualify for the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program regardless of financial need.