Illinois vs Kentucky: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger volume of scholarships with higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Kentucky, while having a lower average award size, may appeal to those looking for fewer but potentially more targeted opportunities.
Institution A
Illinois
Institution B
Kentucky
Quick comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 272 | 52 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,958 | $2,551 |
| Max indexed award | $18,574 | $10,000 |
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Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 238 grants available, averaging approximately $1,970. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574, which is significantly higher than Kentucky's maximum of $5,300. Notable institutions in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, which has awarded 611 grants, and Waubonsee Community College with 156 grants.
Conversely, Kentucky offers a more limited scholarship landscape with only 39 grants available, averaging around $2,131. The top universities in Kentucky, such as the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, each have awarded 3 grants, indicating a smaller but potentially more focused scholarship offering.
Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 611 grants
- 156 grants
- 122 grants
- 21 grants
- 5 grants
Top Scholarship Providers in Kentucky
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 3 grants
- 3 grants
- 3 grants
- 3 grants
- 2 grants
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Scholarship climate by state
Illinois
Illinois has a vibrant scholarship climate with numerous opportunities and higher average award amounts, making it attractive for a wide range of applicants.
Kentucky
Kentucky's scholarship climate is more limited, offering fewer grants and lower maximum awards, which may appeal to specific applicant needs.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Illinois?
How many scholarships are available in Kentucky?
Which university in Illinois has the most scholarships?
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Kentucky?
Sources and official pages
Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.
- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- NCES College Navigator - government reference
- Illinois and Kentucky scholarship search reference - high-authority reference
More guides around this State vs State comparison
Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Illinois and Kentucky.
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