🎓 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~45% (CDS 2024–25)
- Middle 50% ACT: 27–33
- Middle 50% SAT: 1300–1500
- Average HS GPA: 3.75–4.0 (unweighted range)
Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Common Data Set 2024–25 and Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at a Glance
Last verified: October 7, 2025
UIUC’s academic prestige and R1 research classification come with a flagship-level price—but also real scholarship potential. The university’s automatic Illinois Commitment program covers tuition for qualifying in-state families, while other merit and departmental awards help offset costs for both residents and nonresidents.
Out-of-state students won’t find reciprocity here, but high achievers can still land $10,000+ merit awards that meaningfully narrow the gap. Honors opportunities, like the Campus Honors Program, further open doors for academic enrichment and extra funding.
FAQ
Does UIUC offer automatic scholarships? Yes — students are automatically considered for several merit awards, and in-state students may qualify for the Illinois Commitment tuition guarantee.
Can out-of-state students get merit aid? Yes — though UIUC doesn’t offer reciprocity, top out-of-state applicants can earn $5,000–$10,000 per year in competitive merit scholarships.
What’s the average net price? Around $14,297 after grants and scholarships (College Scorecard 2025).
Does UIUC participate in MSEP? No — the University of Illinois system does not participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program.
Common Data Set (CDS 2024–25): https://www.dmi.illinois.edu/stuenr/misc/cds_2024_2025.xlsx
Admissions profile (middle 50% ranges): https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/profile
Application deadlines (EA/RD): https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/dates
Test-optional policy: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process
Scholarships overview (auto consideration): https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/scholarships
Merit-based scholarships (OSFA): https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/merit-based-scholarships/
Illinois Commitment (tuition guarantee & income threshold): https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/other-aid/illinois-commitment/illinois-commitment-frequently-asked-questions/
Campus Honors Program: https://honors.illinois.edu/
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?145637-University-of-Illinois-Urbana-Champaign=
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (2025–26)
The following figures represent UIUC’s estimated annual cost of attendance for full-time undergraduates living on campus. Costs vary by program, with higher tuition for majors in engineering, business, and computer science.
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | ≈ $18,046–$23,426 | ≈ $38,398–$46,498 |
| Housing & Meals | ≈ $15,184 | ≈ $15,184 |
| Books & Supplies | ≈ $1,200 | ≈ $1,200 |
| Personal & Transportation | ≈ $2,500 | ≈ $2,840 |
| Estimated Total (Direct & Indirect) | ≈ $36,930–$42,310 | ≈ $57,622–$65,722 |
Note: Ranges reflect variations by major and housing plan. UIUC’s engineering, business, and computer science programs have higher tuition rates.
📉 Average Net Price (after scholarships and grants)
The average net price for on-campus students is about $14,297 per year after grants and scholarships (NCES 2023). About 55% of UIUC undergraduates receive some form of grant aid. Actual costs depend on family income, residency, and major.
UIUC does not participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Out-of-state students generally pay the full nonresident rate unless awarded merit scholarships or departmental awards.
UIUC’s tuition varies by major. Engineering, business, and computer science have higher base tuition than arts or humanities programs. Check your student’s specific college for the exact rate.
❓ Cost FAQs
Why are tuition rates listed as ranges?
UIUC uses a differential tuition model where certain majors—especially STEM and business—carry higher rates than others.
Does UIUC offer reciprocity discounts for out-of-state students?
No, UIUC does not currently participate in MSEP or other reciprocity programs for nonresidents.
How many students receive aid?
Over half of UIUC undergraduates receive scholarships or grants, reducing their effective annual cost to about $14,000 on average.
Admissions COA estimates (2025–26): https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/tuition
Registrar tuition & fee rates (2025–26): https://registrar.illinois.edu/tuition-fees/tuition-fee-rates/
Housing & Dining rates: https://housing.illinois.edu/cost
OSFA Cost of Attendance overview: https://osfa.illinois.edu/cost/
Illinois Cost Calculator: https://cost.illinois.edu/
Student fee details (FY26): https://studentaffairsn.web.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/2025-06/Student%20Fee%20Info%20FY26.pdf
MSEP participation status (Illinois not participating): https://msep.mhec.org/faq
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?145637-University-of-Illinois-Urbana-Champaign=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UIUC does not have a universal grid where every GPA/ACT automatically unlocks a certain award the way some Midwestern flagships do. Instead, Illinois offers a handful of admission-based scholarships that are automatically considered when your student applies. These awards are limited, competitive within the admitted pool, and vary depending on residency and program.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Commitment | Full tuition & fees (4 yrs) | Illinois residents; family income ≤ $75K; assets ≤ $75K; FAFSA required | No | Yes (4 years) | Lower- and middle-income IL families who qualify via FAFSA | Nov 1 (EA + FAFSA by Mar 15) |
| President’s Award Program (PAP) | $5,000 / yr × 4 | IL residents; underrepresented or first-generation backgrounds | No | Yes (4 years) | High-achieving IL students who enhance campus diversity. The program also includes a PAP Honors tier (for top students in the Honors Program) worth $10,000/year | Nov 1 (EA) |
| President’s Award Program Honors (PAP Honors) | $10,000 / yr × 4 | IL residents; invited PAP students in the Honors cohort (underrepresented or first-generation backgrounds) | No | Yes (4 years) | Top Illinois PAP scholars invited to the Honors cohort; historically awarded to high-achieving students from underrepresented or first-gen backgrounds. | Nov 1 (EA) |
| Provost & Dean’s Merit Awards | ≈ $2,000 – $10,000 / yr | Outstanding academics (IL + non-IL residents) | No | Yes (typically 4 yrs) | Top admitted students; award varies by program and year | Nov 1 (EA) |
| Out-of-State Tuition Waivers | Partial tuition reduction | High-achieving nonresidents; admission-based | No | Yes | Selective; typically for strong GPA / test score profiles | Nov 1 (EA) |
🎓 Unlike some universities, UIUC does not publish exact GPA/test cutoffs for automatic awards. The scholarships above are awarded competitively from the admitted applicant pool, with consideration of academic strength, background, and available funding.
Automatic Scholarships FAQ
Do I need to fill out a separate application?
No. All admitted students are automatically considered for the awards listed above when they submit their admissions application (plus FAFSA for need-based programs like Illinois Commitment).
Is there a GPA or test score cutoff?
UIUC doesn’t publish fixed cutoffs. Strong grades (A/A- averages) and test scores (if submitted) help, but awards are limited and competitive within the applicant pool.
Can out-of-state students get automatic aid?
Yes. While there’s no guaranteed grid, UIUC does award tuition discounts and merit scholarships to top nonresident applicants.
Does UIUC superscore ACT/SAT?
No. According to UIUC, “our colleges often evaluate results from your sub-scores. If you took either test more than once, we’ll use your highest sub-scores in our evaluation. However, we don’t combine your highest sub-scores from different test sittings to create a superscore.”
https://osfa.illinois.edu/illinois-commitment/
https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/9218/1138471140
https://dailyillini.com/news-stories/university-news/administration/2024/11/18/ui-expands-illinois-commitment-eligibility/
https://admissions.illinois.edu/invest/scholarships
https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/merit-based-scholarships/
https://grad.illinois.edu/funding/tuition-waiver-guide
https://em.uic.edu/programs/presidents-award-program.html
Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
UIUC’s competitive scholarships are selective merit awards given to a limited number of incoming students. No separate application is required, but they are not guaranteed and are only offered to a small portion of admitted students each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provost & Dean’s Merit Awards | ≈ $2,000–$10,000 per year | Outstanding academics; open to Illinois residents and nonresidents | No | Yes (4 years typical) | Students with A/A– averages, rigorous coursework, and test scores in the 30+ ACT / 1400+ SAT range | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| Non-Resident Merit Tuition Waiver | Partial tuition reduction | High-achieving out-of-state applicants demonstrating academic excellence | No | Varies | Top 10–15% of nonresident admits with near-4.0 GPAs and challenging coursework | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
These descriptions are based on past recipient data and official profiles. Award amounts and criteria may shift yearly depending on available funding and applicant strength.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Do these require a separate application?
No. All admitted students are automatically reviewed—there’s no additional form or essay.
When are recipients notified?
Usually in late winter or early spring after admission decisions. Some offers may extend into April as funds are finalized.
How selective are these?
Very. Only a small portion of admitted students receive them—typically those near the top of UIUC’s applicant pool academically.
Can these stack with other aid?
Occasionally. Some merit scholarships may adjust or replace other university aid, so review your award letter carefully.
https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/merit-based-scholarships/
https://grainger.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate/aid/scholarship-faqs
https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/university-of-illinois-provost-scholarship
https://www.petersons.com/scholarship/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-provost-scholarship-111_272151.aspx
Campus Honors Program (University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign)
UIUC’s Campus Honors Program (CHP) is the university’s most selective academic community, designed for the top 5% of admitted students. It combines the benefits of a small liberal arts college—intimate classes, close faculty mentorship, and research funding—with the resources of a leading public R1 research university. Admission is by invitation only, and UIUC superscores ACT and SAT results for consideration.
CHP students are officially called Chancellor’s Scholars and gain access to priority registration, honors seminars, global learning opportunities, and dedicated funding for travel and research. While CHP itself isn’t a full-ride program, it comes with guaranteed awards and exclusive enrichment grants.
Honors Scholarships and Awards
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Scholars Award | $1,000/year (up to 8 semesters) | All enrolled CHP students in good standing | No | Yes (4 years) | Every CHP student who maintains GPA and participation standards | Awarded automatically upon CHP admission |
| Summer Research Award | $2,000 (one summer) | CHP students conducting faculty-mentored research | Yes — proposal required | No | Chancellor’s Scholars with strong academic and research plans | Typically due March–April (for summer projects) |
| Summer Travel Award | $500 (domestic) / $1,000 (international) | CHP students pursuing study abroad, research travel, or internships | Yes — short application | No | Students planning faculty-approved academic or professional travel | Apply 6–10 weeks before travel; rolling review |
Note: All CHP students automatically receive the Chancellor’s Scholars Award. Enrichment grants like the Summer Research and Travel Awards are competitive and typically reviewed once per academic term.
Campus Honors Program FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. CHP admission is invitation-only following review by the admissions and honors committees. Most invited students rank near the top of their class with 4.0 GPAs, 34+ ACT / 1500+ SAT, and essays that demonstrate depth, curiosity, and leadership.
When are invitations released?
Invitations typically arrive a few weeks after general admission notifications via email.
What are the key benefits?
Honors seminars, priority registration, one-on-one faculty mentoring, and access to exclusive funding for research or global study. CHP students also enjoy a strong alumni and networking community.
Does CHP increase financial aid chances?
Indirectly. While the base award is modest, CHP students often qualify for additional research or departmental scholarships thanks to their Honors standing and faculty relationships.
Who actually gets in?
The top 3–5% of UIUC’s admitted pool — students with exceptional academics, challenging coursework, and evidence of intellectual independence in their application essays.
https://honors.illinois.edu/scholarships-and-grants/
https://honors.illinois.edu/program-benefits-requirements/
https://honors.illinois.edu/summer-research-and-travel-awards/
https://honors.illinois.edu
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/james-scholar-of-chancellors-honors-program/1794087
https://www.honors.web.illinois.edu/Scholarship%20Informationmation.shtml
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a top-tier public research powerhouse (R1), known for world-class programs across engineering, business, agriculture, and more. It consistently ranks among the nation’s leading public universities—delivering high-impact research, deep industry connections, and programs that punch well above their weight both statewide and nationally.
- Business & Accountancy (Gies College of Business): Ranked **#14** for Undergraduate Business nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with **#2 in Accountancy**, **#11 in Marketing**, **#13 in Management**, **#15 in Finance**, and **#20 in Analytics**.
- Public Business School (Gies): Ranked **#5 among public business schools** and **#19 overall**, with a stellar **#3 ranking** for academic experience by Poets & Quants.
- Graduate Accounting (Gies): Ranked **#3 in the nation** for graduate-level accounting by U.S. News & World Report. }
- Engineering & Computer Science (Grainger College of Engineering): UIUC is a major engineering player—its engineering and computer science programs are consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally.
- Education (College of Education): The Curriculum & Instruction program is ranked **#12 nationally**, and Educational Psychology is ranked **#7**, per U.S. News & World Report.