Illinois State University Scholarships 2025–2026 | Costs, Automatic & Competitive Aid

Illinois State University Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • 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

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but Illinois State makes things a little easier to understand. This guide breaks down real costs, automatic Redbird awards, the big competitive scholarships like the Jesse W. Fell, and even some hidden gems families often miss. If you’re an Illinois parent, be sure to also check our Illinois state aid guide alongside this ISU page for the full picture.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Illinois State University

Expense In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees $15,824 $27,890
Housing & Meals $12,286 $12,286
Books & Supplies $740 $740
Transportation $896 $896
Personal/Misc. $1,616 $1,616
Total (Before Aid) $36,362 $48,074
Average Net Price: According to federal data, families at Illinois State paid an average of $18,996 after grants and scholarships (2022–23). This number reflects what families actually paid out of pocket—no loans included.
Border-State In-State Tuition: Residents of Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin automatically qualify for Illinois in-state tuition rates.

Example savings: Out-of-state tuition is about $27,890 vs. in-state $15,824. That’s roughly $12,000 in annual savings—without a separate scholarship application.

Cost & Reciprocity FAQ

Who qualifies for the border-state tuition match?
Any admitted student who is a legal resident of Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, or Wisconsin. No GPA minimum is listed.

How much does this save?
Roughly $12,000 a year in tuition compared to the full out-of-state rate, which adds up to nearly $48,000 over four years.

Is it automatic or do we have to apply?
It’s automatic at the time of admission—no extra application is required. Just be sure residency is clearly documented in your application.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Illinois State offers automatic awards to incoming freshmen based mainly on high school GPA. These are granted at the time of admission review—no extra application is needed if you meet the priority deadline.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Redbird Academic Scholarship Up to $16,000/year Freshmen with GPA ≥ 3.25, test optional accepted No Yes — maintain 2.75 GPA & 12 credits/semester Students with strong GPAs (3.5+ often land higher tiers). *Exact GPA/test tiers not published by ISU.

Note: ISU does not publish exact GPA/test cutoff tiers for Redbird; the “up to” figure reflects the maximum possible award. Ranges depend on GPA, course rigor, and holistic academic record.

Automatic Merit FAQ

How do students qualify for Redbird awards?
By applying to ISU by the Nov 1 priority deadline. The scholarship is automatic—no separate form is needed.

Does ISU superscore ACT or SAT?
Yes. ISU considers the highest sub-scores across multiple ACT or SAT tests to build a new composite (“superscore”). Students applying test-optional are also fully considered for merit.

Can Redbird stack with the border-state tuition match?
No. The border-state policy is a tuition rate adjustment, not a scholarship. Students receive either the in-state rate through border-state eligibility or Redbird aid, but not both applied on top of each other.

Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes, for up to eight semesters as long as the student maintains at least a 2.75 GPA and full-time enrollment.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These awards go beyond GPA alone. They require extra applications, essays, or even interviews, and only a select number of students are chosen each year.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Jesse W. Fell Scholarship Up to $12,000/year Freshmen with GPA ≥ 3.75 Yes — application by Dec 15 Multi-year (renewal GPA not publicly posted) High-achieving students with rigorous courses, leadership, and strong interview performance
International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship $1,000 (one-time) IB Diploma or IB Career-Related Certificate completers Yes — apply by Mar 1 No Students completing the full IB program on time and admitted by priority deadline
Achievement Scholarship (National Merit Finalists) Varies (not publicly posted) Confirmed National Merit Finalists Yes — apply by Apr 1; finalist status by Jul 15 Not specified Students officially designated as National Merit Finalists who meet all verification steps

Competitive Scholarship FAQ

Why are these considered competitive?
Unlike automatic Redbird awards, these require essays, separate applications, or interviews, and only a limited number of students are chosen.

Are these worth the extra effort?
Yes — the Jesse W. Fell is ISU’s top award, covering a large share of tuition, and the IB and National Merit scholarships provide valuable recognition and funding.

Can these stack with Redbird scholarships?
In most cases, ISU will adjust your package so you receive the single highest award rather than stacking full amounts. Always confirm with the financial aid office.

What deadlines matter most?
Apply for admission by Nov 1, Fell app by Dec 15, IB by Mar 1, and Achievement by Apr 1.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the big Redbird and Fell awards, Illinois State has smaller programs and special funds that can make a big difference—especially for families with financial need, ROTC students, or those studying abroad.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Illinois MAP Grant Up to state maximum (covers tuition/fees) Illinois residents with financial need Yes — FAFSA or Alternative Application Yes, if financial need continues Students from low-to-moderate income Illinois families who file FAFSA early
Federal TEACH Grant Up to $4,000/year Education majors willing to teach in high-need fields Yes — TEACH Grant Agreement & counseling Yes, with continued eligibility Future teachers with solid academics who commit to a four-year service obligation
Access Abroad Scholarships $500–$1,000 Students participating in ISU study abroad Yes — Office of International Engagement No (per trip/program) Students with financial need or barriers to studying abroad
Army ROTC Scholarships + State Tuition Waivers Covers tuition/fees or room/board stipend; state waivers for Guard/Veterans ROTC cadets; Illinois National Guard or veterans and dependents Yes — ROTC portal or ISAC waiver application Yes, if program/service conditions met Students committed to military service who meet selection or state criteria
Departmental Scholarships (e.g., Family & Consumer Sciences) $500–$2,000 (varies) Students in specific majors; criteria vary by fund Yes — departmental portals Sometimes, depending on fund Upper-level students or motivated freshmen who apply early within their college
Bone Scholar (Continuing Students) Full tuition + stipend Sophomores and above; strong academics, leadership, service Yes — competitive application Yes, if criteria continue to be met Top continuing ISU students who excel across academics, leadership, and service
Identity-Based & Donor Awards $500–$3,000 (varies) First-gen, BIPOC, women in STEM, or other defined groups; varies by department Yes — departmental or scholarship portal Sometimes, depending on donor fund Students active in their college community who meet donor intent (identity, service, or academic field)

Hidden Gems FAQ

Do these require separate applications?
Yes. Most hidden-gem scholarships (like Access Abroad, Bone, or departmental awards) have their own application process through a portal or office.

Can these awards stack with Redbird or Fell?
Usually, yes. These are smaller awards that supplement major scholarships, though stacking can’t exceed total cost of attendance.

Who tends to get departmental or donor awards?
Students who connect with faculty, engage in their department, or represent a priority group (first-gen, women in STEM, etc.).

How do ROTC and state waivers interact with aid?
ROTC and Illinois Guard/Veteran waivers usually cover tuition directly, while other scholarships can be applied to housing, meals, or personal expenses.

⭐ College Specialty

Illinois State isn’t just a solid all-around university—it’s a place with programs that shine far beyond Normal, Illinois. Families looking for strong teaching, healthcare, or business pipelines will find ISU on the short list statewide and sometimes nationally.

Teacher Education: Illinois State is the largest producer of teachers in Illinois and consistently ranks among the top in the nation for preparing special education and early childhood teachers. For families focused on education careers, this is the program ISU is best known for.
  • Nursing (Mennonite College of Nursing) — NCLEX pass rates regularly above 95%, well above state and national averages, with a new $18M simulation lab dedicated in 2024.
  • Insurance & Risk Management (Katie School, College of Business) — Recognized nationally for strong corporate partnerships and internship pipelines; a leading program in the Midwest.
  • Fine Arts (College of Fine Arts) — Highly regarded theatre and visual arts programs, with alumni working across Chicago and national stages.

Note: Illinois State is classified as a Doctoral/Professional University (not R1). Its reputation comes from professional excellence in fields like teaching, nursing, and insurance rather than research classification.

🎖️ Honors College

At Illinois State, the Honors Program is less about adding hoops and more about creating a community. Students get access to small, discussion-based classes, dedicated advising, and a supportive network that stretches across majors. For motivated students, it’s a way to deepen their experience without slowing down their degree.

What a Typical ISU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA in the 3.7+ range*, strong coursework (AP/IB or dual credit), leadership or service experience, and curiosity to explore beyond the standard curriculum.
*ISU does not publish official GPA/test cutoffs; this is based on profiles of past recipients.
Why It Matters:
Honors perks include priority registration, Honors housing and community events, small seminar-style classes, undergraduate research opportunities, and faculty mentorship. These benefits can make a large campus feel much more personal.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Scholarship Full tuition (in-state); significant award (non-resident) Admitted to Honors; invited to competitive interview day Yes — interview required Yes (4 years) Students with 3.9+ GPA, top 5–10% of class, strong leadership/service, and polished interview skills
University Honors Scholarship Substantial award (varies) High-achieving students admitted into Honors No — considered with Honors admission Yes Typically students with 3.8+ GPA and a record of AP/IB or dual credit coursework
Honors Program Scholarship Varies Newly admitted Honors students No — automatic with Honors acceptance Yes Students with strong GPAs (around 3.6–3.8) who show academic potential and apply to Honors early
Honors Program Departmental Scholarships $500–$2,000 (varies) Honors students in specific colleges/departments Yes — via department Sometimes Active Honors students who engage in their major’s community, often with GPA ≥ 3.5

Disclaimer: GPA/test score ranges marked above are based on published minimums, ISU Honors guidance, and profiles of past awardees. Exact cutoffs are not publicly released and can shift year to year depending on the applicant pool and funding.

Honors Program FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Honors Program after admission to ISU, unless they are finalists for the Jesse W. Fell Scholarship (those finalists receive an automatic Honors offer).

Does the Honors Program add time to graduation?
No. The program is designed to fit within a four-year degree plan, with Honors seminars and projects integrated into existing requirements.

How selective are Honors scholarships?
Very. The Presidential Scholarship is among ISU’s most competitive awards, while University Honors and departmental awards recognize academic excellence within the program.

What deadlines should we know?
Apply to ISU by Nov 1 for priority consideration. Honors applications and scholarship deadlines follow soon after admission—interview invitations for Presidential are sent in early spring.

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