University of Illinois Scholarship: Everything You Need to Know!

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a distinguished public research university which nurtures academic excellence in Urbana, Illinois. Founded in 1867, UIUC remains the flagship institution within the University of Illinois System, renowned for its commitment to innovation and education. In case, you are a student interested in applying for a course at the University of Illinois, then you must know about the University of Illinois Scholarship. In this blog, we will cover every important aspect related to scholarships offered by the University of Illinois. 

Feature	Description
Location	Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Type	Public research university
Founded	1867
Undergraduate enrollment	48,000+
Graduate enrollment	20,000+
Acceptance rate	44%
Average SAT score	1250
Average ACT score	27
Tuition (in-state)	USD 11,000
Tuition (out-of-state)	USD 35,000

List of Scholarships Offered By the University of Illinois & Their Eligibility

There are many scholarships that should be considered by students before applying to the University of Illinois. Following is a list of all scholarships offered by the University of Illinois-

Scholarship	Eligibility Criteria
Illinois Merit Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; GPA 3.5 or top 10%; ACT 29 or SAT 1330; Financial need
Illinois National Honor Society Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; Member of NHS; GPA 3.0
Illinois Achievement Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; Financial need (household income ≤ USD 60,000); GPA 2.5 or top 20%
Illinois Transfer Scholarship	Transfer students; Financial need (household income ≤ USD 60,000); GPA 2.5; 30 transferable graded hours
James Scholar Award	Incoming freshmen; Top 10%; GPA 3.5; ACT 34 or SAT 1480; Demonstrated leadership potential
Illinois First Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; Illinois resident; GPA 3.0; Financial need (household income ≤ USD 100,000)
Monfort Family Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; From rural community; GPA 3.0; Financial need (household income ≤ USD 60,000)
Illinois Commitment Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; Illinois resident; Pell Grant eligible; GPA 2.5
Illinois Promise Scholarship	Incoming freshmen; Illinois resident; Pell Grant eligible; GPA 2.5; First-generation college student

Other Scholarships Offered:

Scholarship	Description
University of Illinois Foundation Scholarships	Available for undergraduates and graduates; Varied criteria, including academic merit and financial need
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarships	Available for undergraduates and graduates; the Criteria include academic merit, financial need, and major
College of Engineering Scholarships	Available for undergraduates and graduates; the Criteria include academic merit, financial need, and major
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Scholarships	Available for undergraduates and graduates; Criteria include academic merit, financial need, and major

Also Read: Illinois State University Scholarships: Eligibility & Rewards

Scholarship Amounts and Benefits at the University of Illinois

The University of Illinois offers generous scholarships that can cover a major part of your tuition and expenses. Here’s a quick overview of some top scholarships and what they offer:

Scholarship Name	Coverage / Amount
Illinois Commitment (UIUC)	Full tuition and fees for in-state students from families earning less than USD 67,000/year.
UIC Merit Award	Up to USD 10,000 per year, based on academic performance and admission credentials.
UIS International Award	Up to USD 4,000 per year for eligible international undergraduate students.
Engineering Visionary Award	Partial to full tuition for top-performing engineering students at UIUC.

Requirements for University of Illinois Scholarships

To apply for scholarships at the University of Illinois, students must meet specific academic requirements, which vary depending on the type of scholarship. Here are the mentioned requirements by the students:

• Strong Academic Performance: A solid GPA is essential, which varies by scholarship, as higher grades can improve your chances significantly.
• English Language Proficiency: International students must submit scores from accepted tests, such as:
  • TOEFL iBT (usually 80+ recommended)
  • IELTS (typically 6.5 or higher)
• Letters of Recommendation: Many merit and need-based scholarships require a personal essay and 1–3 letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors.

• Financial Need (for some scholarships): If applying for need-based aid, domestic students must submit the FAFSA, while international students may need to fill out a separate form or provide financial documents.

How to Apply for the University of Illinois Scholarship?

The application process for University of Illinois scholarships varies depending on the scholarship. However, most scholarships require students to submit the following materials:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The FAFSA is required for all students who are applying for financial aid, including scholarships.
• Transcripts: Students must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges that they have attended.
• Test Scores: Students may be required to submit ACT or SAT scores, depending on the scholarship.
• Letters of Recommendation: Students may be required to submit letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or other mentors, depending on the scholarship.
• Scholarship Essay: Students may be required to write a scholarship essay, depending on the scholarship.

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in USA to Study Abroad

Required Documents for Scholarship Application

Make sure you submit all these documents before applying for scholarships. We have listed the important documents that are required to apply for the University of Illinois Scholarship:

Document	Purpose
Academic Transcripts	It may boost your profile if submitted
Proof of English Proficiency	Required for international students (TOEFL/IELTS)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)	Explains your goals, background, and motivation
Letters of Recommendation	Support your academic and personal strengths
Financial Documents	Needed for need-based aid consideration
SAT/ACT Scores (Optional)	May boost your profile if submitted

Important Application Dates for the University of Illinois Scholarship  

The important application dates for University of Illinois scholarships vary depending on the scholarship. However, most scholarship applications are due in the spring of the year before the academic year for which the student is applying. In the list mentioned below, we’ve mentioned the important dates for scholarships offered by the University of Illinois.

Event	Date
Application Opens	September 1, 2025
Early Action Deadline	November 1, 2025
Regular Decision Deadline	January 5, 2026
Acceptance Deadline	May 1, 2026
FAFSA Deadline	June 30, 2026 (Federal)
Institutional Scholarship Deadlines	Varies by Program
International Student Financial Aid Forms	Along with the Application

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