The Importance of Scholarships

One of our highest priorities at Illinois is to increase the amount of scholarship assistance available to incoming and returning students. Why scholarships?  Too much of today’s financial assistance comes in the form of loans – 42% of our students have to borrow before graduation and average indebtedness upon graduation has climbed to more than $15,600.

Help make students’ dreams become a reality, give them the opportunity to reach their goals, and lessen the burden on Illinois students and their families by contributing to scholarships through the University of Illinois Annual Fund.

 

Scholarship Gift Options

You can make your scholarship contribution to one or more of the programs or funds listed below – including several campus-level (benefiting students from all schools and colleges) programs and funds as well as college and school funds. To make your scholarship gift go here.

General Scholarship Fund

The General Scholarship Fund is the most flexible of all of the campus scholarship funds – used to benefit students from all campus academic programs at all levels. Most frequently utilized to round out financial assistance awards to students with documented need and academic potential, your gift to the General Scholarship Fund may determine whether a student can matriculate or continue at the University of Illinois. Top

 

The Illinois Promise

The newest of the campus scholarship programs, The Illinois Promise was announced by Chancellor Richard Herman in December 2004. In academic year 2007-2008, 481 students were awarded Illinois Promise scholarships.

Illinois Promise scholarship recipients are high-achieving in-state students from low-income families. Since no assistance is expected to be available from their families, these students are quite vulnerable to dropping out for financial reasons.

The Illinois Promise fills the gap. It’s a comprehensive financial aid package covering tuition, fees, room, board and books. To remain eligible, award recipients must remain in good academic standing and participate in about 10 hours per week of on-campus work through the federal work-study program. By combining good grades and hard work, these students will have the opportunity for a bright future. Top

More information.

 

The James Newton Matthews Scholars Program

Established in 1996, the James Newton Matthews Scholars Program is the UIUC campus’ premier merit scholarship program. Incoming freshmen are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and community service. Matthews scholarships are funded entirely by private gifts from University alumni and friends. Currently, awards are $2,000 per year and are renewable if the recipient maintains a 3.3 (out of 4.0) grade point average. Matthews scholars are drawn from all schools and colleges on campus. The 2006-2007 class of Matthews Scholars numbered 162. Since the founding of the program, 384 students have received more than $2.6 million in scholarship awards. Top

More information.

 

Illinois International Scholars Fund

Currently, 22% of Illinois undergraduate students participate in a study-abroad program at some point during their time at the University. Within five years, it is the campus goal to have 40% of its undergraduates engage in this valuable experience.  The Illinois International Scholars program was established in 2001 to help make studying abroad more affordable for Illinois students. By contributing to Illinois International Scholars, you can help students gain international training and experience that will broaden their perspectives, enrich their lives, and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of our increasingly global environment. Top

 

Graduate College Fellowship Support Fund

The Graduate College Fellowship Support Fund improves the ability of Urbana-Champaign departments to recruit exceptional graduate students by providing funds to match or exceed multi-year financial aid packages offered by other institutions. By contributing to the Graduate Fellowship Support Fund you are ensuring the funds which can help a grad student succeed in finishing his or her thesis and/or research. Your gift means that the grad will not have to have a second assistantship and will have more time for research and study within their field. Top

 

College, School, and Unit Scholarship Funds

To view a list of college and school scholarship funds, please go here. Top

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