Most scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Usually that means applications are accepted in the fall or spring, winners are notified a few weeks to a few months later, and the actual awards are made the next fall. Unfortunately, because of this timing, if you are trying to cover an outstanding bill you have right now, scholarships are unlikely to help.
Find out how the process works when you receive a scholarship
Scholarships come from a variety of sources. Some are available through Illinois State University. Our ScholarshipFinder can also help you find awards within the University. Professional organizations, social clubs, employers, community organizations, and individual donors provide many more.
Each scholarship provider determines when and how they will select the recipient, whether or not the award is renewable year after year, when the money will be awarded, and how it should be used. The more often you are searching and applying for scholarships, the less likely it is you will miss something for which you could have qualified.
Find awards offered from the University.
Search for scholarships using keywords.
See which academic departments offer scholarships.
Get support from sources outside the University.
iGROW Tech Scholarship A state program for students who pursuing Information Technology (IT) and related careers.
Displaced Energy Worker Scholarship For a child, including adopted and stepchildren, of a parent who was laid off from a retiring power plant or a closing coal mine. For spring- and summer-term consideration, the deadline date is March 1, 2025. Apply through the ISAC Student Portal
Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) A state program for undergrade and graduate students who plan to teach Special Education in Illinois. The priority application deadline is March 1, 2025 . Apply through the ISAC Student Portal
2025-2026 CEFCU Member Appreciation Scholarship The deadline is at 11:59pm on March 14, 2025 . This scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year.
2025-2026 Class of 1985 & 1986 The deadline is at 11:59pm on March 14, 2025 . This scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year.
2025-2026 Friends of Donna Mauk Scholarship The deadline is at 11:59pm on March 14, 2025 . This scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year.
2025-2026 Olamide Adeyooye Scholarship The deadline is at 11:59pm on March 14, 2025 . This scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year.
2025-2026 Talkington Family Endowed Scholarship The deadline is at 11:59pm on March 14, 2025 . This scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship A state program for underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students who plan to teach in Illinois with at least a 30% minority enrollment. The priority application deadline is March 31, 2025 . Apply through the ISAC Student Portal
Get an explanation of how scholarships work from Federal Student Aid.
See if you qualify for scholarship money by staying in-state to attend college.
The Lopez and Navarro Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to support undocumented and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students in their dream of receiving a college degree. At this time all available scholarships have been awarded. When additional funds are available, the application will reopen.
The Senior Citizen Courses Act permits senior citizens over 65 to enroll in regularly scheduled credit courses at public higher education institutions without payment of tuition. Learn more about the Act.
Learn more about scholarships and how we can help.