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🎓 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Scholarships
- 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
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the Midwest’s top public R1 research universities — but like most flagships, the price tag can be steep, especially if you’re out of state. The good news? UIUC does offer real scholarships. Some are automatic. Some you have to apply for. And some only show up if you know where to dig. That’s what this page is for.
We’ll walk you through how scholarships actually work at Illinois, how to improve your student’s chances, and where to find the stuff most families miss.
💡 Also check out Illinois State Aid for grants and programs available to in-state families.
💰 Cost of Attendance (2025–26)
These figures represent the standard COA estimates for full-time undergraduates living on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | ≈ $18,046 – $23,426 | ≈ $38,398 – $46,498 |
| Food & Housing | ≈ $15,184 | ≈ $15,184 |
| Books & Supplies | ≈ $1,200 | ≈ $1,200 |
| Other Expenses (personal, travel) | ≈ $2,500 | ≈ $2,840 |
| Total Estimated COA | ≈ $36,930 – $42,310 | ≈ $57,622 – $65,722 |
After grants and scholarships:
- All Students (net average): ≈ $14,297/year
In 2023, about 55% of undergraduates received grant aid, averaging a net cost of ~$14,297/year after aid. Actual net cost depends on residency, family income, and scholarship eligibility.
UIUC does not participate in programs like the Midwest Student Exchange (MSEP). Out-of-state students generally pay full nonresident tuition unless they qualify for merit scholarships or departmental awards that offset the difference.
UIUC charges different tuition for different majors. Engineering, business, and computer science cost more than other programs. Your student’s exact price depends on their intended major and college.
✅ 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Commitment | Covers full tuition & fees | Illinois residents, family income ≤ $67K, assets ≤ $50K | No | Yes, 4 years | Lower & middle-income Illinois families meeting FAFSA criteria |
| President’s Award Program (PAP) | $5,000/year | Illinois residents from underrepresented/first-gen backgrounds | No | Yes, 4 years | High-achieving IL students who add to campus diversity |
| Provost & Dean’s Merit Awards | ≈ $2,000 – $10,000/year | Outstanding academics, both IL and non-IL residents | No | Yes, usually 4 years | Top admitted students; amounts vary widely |
| Out-of-State Tuition Waivers | Partial tuition reduction | High-achieving nonresidents; admission-based | No | Yes | Selective; typically for students with strong GPA/test scores |
🎓 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 (generally A/A– averages) and test scores (when 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. From the website- 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 use your highest sub-scores from different test sittings to create a super-score..
🏆 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 share of admitted students.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provost & Dean’s Merit Awards | ≈ $2,000 – $10,000/year | Outstanding academics (IL and nonresident students) | No | Yes, typically 4 years | Students with A/A- average GPAs and strong coursework; test scores in the 30+ ACT / 1400+ SAT range strengthen chances |
| Non-Resident Merit Tuition Waiver | Partial tuition reduction | High-achieving out-of-state applicants | No | Varies | Typically awarded to the top 10–15% of nonresident admits with GPAs near 4.0 and strong rigor |
📌 These descriptions are based on past recipient data and published profiles. Exact cutoffs shift each year depending on the applicant pool and available funding.
Competitive Scholarships — FAQ
Do these require a separate application?
No. All admitted students are automatically reviewed. There is no extra essay or form to submit.
When will we hear back?
Most students hear in late winter or early spring, after admission decisions are released. Some awards can trickle out into April as funding is finalized.
How selective are these?
Very. Only a small share of admits receive them, often those at the top of UIUC’s admitted pool academically.
Can they be stacked with other aid?
Sometimes. Some merit scholarships can reduce need-based aid or can’t be combined with other waivers. Always read your financial aid offer carefully.
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.
🎖 Honors College (Campus Honors Program)
The Campus Honors Program (CHP) is UIUC’s flagship honors experience. Admission is by invitation only—typically for the top 5% of the admitted class—and it comes with smaller seminars, research support, and exclusive funding opportunities. UIUC superscores ACT and SAT, which helps applicants show their strongest profile.
While CHP itself is not a full-ride program, it does come with dedicated scholarships and enrichment grants available only to Chancellor’s Scholars. Here’s what families should know:
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Scholars Award | $1,000/year (up to 8 semesters) | Students admitted to CHP in good standing | No | Yes, 4 years | Every CHP student in good standing receives this base award |
| Summer Research Award | $2,000 (one summer) | CHP students pursuing faculty-mentored research | Yes | One-time | Selected CHP students with a research plan and faculty support |
| Summer Travel Award | $500 (domestic) or $1,000 (international) | CHP students seeking study abroad, research travel, or internships | Yes | One-time | CHP students with approved academic/professional travel proposals |
Honors College — FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. CHP is invitation-only. Students must stand out in the main UIUC admissions process with a 4.0 GPA, 34+ ACT/1500+ SAT (superscored), and strong essays that show intellectual curiosity.
When will invitations come out?
Typically a few weeks after general admission decisions. Notifications are sent by email.
What are the benefits of CHP?
Smaller classes, priority registration, faculty mentoring, an Honors Living-Learning Community, and access to exclusive scholarships like those above.
Does being in CHP boost chances for other aid?
Indirectly, yes. CHP membership doesn’t guarantee extra money, but it positions students for departmental awards, research grants, and prestigious fellowships down the road.
Who actually gets invited?
The very top of UIUC’s admitted pool—students with near-perfect GPAs, rigorous AP/IB coursework, and essays that show drive and intellectual independence, not just high scores.
📎 Official Links
UIUC can feel overwhelming when you first look at the sticker price — especially for out-of-state families. But once you dig in, you see a layered picture: automatic programs that ease costs, competitive awards for standout applicants, hidden gems tied to leadership, music, and ROTC, and the extra edge of being invited to the Honors College. It’s not a school that just hands out full rides, but for the right student, Illinois can be both an academic launchpad and a financially doable choice.
The key takeaway? Don’t stop at the headline numbers. Cast a wide net — apply early, watch for department-level opportunities, and encourage your student to lean into their strengths. That’s how families turn a flagship like Illinois from “out of reach” into a smart, affordable investment.
✅ Last updated: September 4, 2025