University of Illinois Chicago Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Illinois aid & Grants
Last Updated on March 31, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~77%
- Middle 50% ACT: 26
- Middle 50% SAT: 1240
- Average GPA: 3.5
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Illinois Chicago at a Glance
- “Automatic” isn’t truly automatic: UIC uses admission-based and program-driven awards (like AIM High), but there’s no clean GPA/test score grid you can count on.
- Big money is income-based: Programs like UIC Aspire can be huge—but only for Illinois residents under income thresholds.
- Out-of-state value is limited: Without strong merit or need-based aid, OOS pricing can creep up quickly compared to other Midwest options.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Illinois Chicago is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 26; SAT: 1240.
Average net price? About $11,499/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in none.
UIC Aspire official: https://free.uic.edu
UIC Admissions: https://admissions.uic.edu/chancellors-fellows-aim-high-award
UIC School of Theatre & Music: https://music.uic.edu/ensemble-performance/
UIC LARES, TRIO, and DEI program sites: https://latinx.uic.edu/scholarships/
UIC Admissions: https://uic.edu/about/lake-county-tuition-award
UIC Student Financial Aid: https://financialaid.uic.edu/types-of-aid/grants/state-grants/
UIC Admissions: https://admissions.uic.edu/non-resident-awards
UIC Enrollment Management: https://em.uic.edu/programs/presidents-award-program.html
UIC SnAP: https://snap.uic.edu
UIC Study Abroad Office: https://studyabroad.uic.edu/scholarships/
UIC Admissions: https://uic.edu/about/tribal-nation-tuition-award
UIC Office of Undergraduate Research: https://our.uic.edu/funding/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Illinois Chicago 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $16,830 | $33,710 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $13,244 | $13,244 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $30,074 | $46,954 |
Average Federal Net Price: $11,499 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
- No MSEP or reciprocity discounts: Illinois does not currently participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP).
- In-state tuition eligibility: Applies to permanent Illinois residents or those qualifying under state residency policies (e.g., eligible undocumented students via Illinois Alternative Application).
Cost & Aid FAQs
Does UIC offer tuition-free programs?
Yes. The UIC Aspire program covers full in-state tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Illinois residents with family income and assets under $75,000.
How can out-of-state students lower costs?
While Illinois doesn’t offer reciprocity, UIC provides merit-based scholarships such as AIM High and Chancellor’s Fellows that can significantly reduce the nonresident tuition rate.
When should families apply for the best financial aid package?
Submit applications by the Early Action deadline (Nov 3) and file the FAFSA by March 15 for maximum aid and scholarship consideration.
https://admissions.uic.edu/undergraduate/requirements-deadlines
https://financialaid.uic.edu/aid-process/apply/
https://financialaid.uic.edu/cost/
https://free.uic.edu/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-illinois-at-chicago/tuition-and-costs
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?145600-University-of-Illinois-Chicago
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UIC automatically considers students for several scholarships at the time of admission. These awards are tied to residency, GPA, test scores (if submitted), and in some cases financial need.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Fellows Award | ~$7,500/year (freshmen); ~$5,000 (transfers) | Illinois residents; strong academics, demonstrated need; FAFSA required | No | Reviewed annually | Illinois admits (~3.5–3.8 GPA*) with FAFSA; essays not required (*estimate) | Rolling (admission/FAFSA) |
| President’s Award Program | $5,000/year; some tiers full tuition + housing | Illinois residents; outstanding academic achievement | No | Yes (renewable with GPA) | Top admits (~3.7+ GPA*, honors/AP, leadership); test scores optional (*estimate) | Rolling (admission/FAFSA) |
| Merit Tuition Award (Non-Resident) | $9,128/year | Out-of-state admits; strong academic record | No | Not clearly stated | Competitive nonresident admits (~3.5+ GPA*, test scores optional, superscored if submitted) | Rolling (admission) |
| Lake County, IN Tuition Award | Pays difference to in-state tuition | Lake County, Indiana residents; admitted to UIC | No | Yes (if eligible) | Lake County, IN admits; automatic with enrollment | Rolling (admission) |
| Tribal Nation Tuition Award | Covers nonresident tuition (≈$16k+) | Federally recognized Tribal Nation members | No | Yes (while eligible) | Native American students verified as Tribal Nation members | Rolling (FAFSA/admissions) |
Note: GPA/test cutoffs are not always published; estimated ranges reflect admitted UIC patterns and university guidance. Renewal generally requires full-time enrollment and satisfactory progress.
Automatic Scholarship FAQs
Do I need a separate application?
No. These awards are triggered by your admission file, residency, and FAFSA (if relevant).
Does UIC superscore ACT/SAT?
Yes, if scores are submitted. Scholarships are still open to test-optional applicants.
Can tuition awards stack with Illinois Aspire?
Normally no—nonresident and differential tuition awards replace the tuition component. Aspire covers in-state tuition only.
https://admissions.uic.edu/undergraduate/tuition/scholarships
https://financialaid.uic.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://admissions.uic.edu/undergraduate/first-year-applicants
https://admissions.uic.edu/undergraduate/transfer-applicants
https://uic.edu/about/lake-county-tuition-award
https://uic.edu/about/tribal-nation-tuition-award
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
In short: UIC’s big money scholarships are either automatic (Chancellor’s, President’s, tuition replacement) or Honors-linked. Families shouldn’t expect a separate pool of highly selective, university-wide competitive awards like at some flagships.
https://admissions.uic.edu/undergraduate/tuition/scholarships
https://financialaid.uic.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://honors.uic.edu/admissions/first-year-honors-college-applicants/
🎖 Honors College
UIC’s Honors College gives a large urban research university a smaller, more personal feel. It’s built for motivated students who want access to faculty mentors, small seminars, and unique scholarships layered on top of regular financial aid. For first-gen families, this can be a major opportunity to combine academic support with extra funding.
What a Typical UIC Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA of 3.7+*, strong AP/IB/honors coursework, essays that show curiosity and community, and notable leadership/service track record. Test scores are optional, but superscoring applies if submitted.
*UIC does not publish minimum GPA/test requirements; this range is based on recent admits.
Perks That Matter:
- Priority registration each term
- Honors housing & living-learning communities
- Dedicated undergraduate research and faculty support
- Small, hands-on Honors seminars
- Eligibility for Honors-exclusive scholarships
| Honors-Specific Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Award Program – Honors (PAP-H) | Full tuition + fees + partial housing | IL residents admitted to Honors with top academics & leadership | Yes — Honors app (Nov 1 priority) | Yes — maintain GPA/credit load/Honors | Top IL admits, 3.8+ GPA*, high rigor, leadership, and strong essays *estimate only |
Nov 1 priority deadline (Honors app); rolling after |
PAP-H is highly selective, awarded to a small number of entering Honors students each year. Exact GPA/test cutoffs and award numbers change annually based on pool size and funding. Students who apply by Nov 1 have the best chance.
Honors College FAQs
Is Honors admission automatic for high achievers?
No. Separate Honors application, with essays and activities/resume, is required (by Nov 1 for priority).
Does Honors guarantee scholarships?
No, but many Honors students earn PAP-H or internal donor awards each year.
Does Honors add time to your degree?
No; Honors requirements are designed to fit with any major.
Can you get in test optional?
Yes, test-optional students are considered, but strong essays and GPA matter most.
https://honors.uic.edu/admissions/first-year-honors-college-applicants/
https://honors.uic.edu/scholarships/
https://financialaid.uic.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://admissions.uic.edu/undergraduate/tuition/scholarships
https://snap.uic.edu/
⭐ College Specialty
UIC is an R1 research powerhouse nestled in Chicago—meaning it combines big-city opportunity with very high research activity. Families can expect nationally respected programs across health, planning, and social policy that translate into internships, public service pipelines, and graduate school wins.
Urban Policy (College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs) — Ranked 6th in the nation by U.S. News for Urban Policy programs.
- **Occupational Therapy (Applied Health Sciences)** — Ranked 3rd nationwide.
- **Doctor of Nursing Practice & Master’s in Nursing (College of Nursing)** — Both tied for 17th in the U.S. in 2025 rankings; highest in Illinois.
- **Online Health Programs (e.g., RN to BSN, Health Info Management)** — Ranked #3 nationally in their categories.
- **Pharmacy (Retzky College of Pharmacy)** — Ranked 15th best among U.S. pharmacy schools.
📎 Official Links
- University of Illinois Chicago — Homepage
- UIC Honors College
- Financial Aid & Scholarships (Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships)
- SnAP Scholarship Portal