Illinois vs Montana: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a higher number of scholarships with a lower average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking more opportunities. Montana, while having fewer scholarships, provides higher average award amounts, appealing to those looking for larger funding.
Institution A
Illinois
Institution B
Montana
Quick comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 272 | 33 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,958 | $2,639 |
| Max indexed award | $18,574 | $25,000 |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 280 grants available, averaging approximately $1,937 per award. The state's top institutions include Loyola University Chicago, which has the highest number of grants at 611, followed by Waubonsee Community College and Kankakee Community College Foundation.
Conversely, Montana offers a smaller pool of scholarships, totaling only 38 grants, but with a higher average award size of around $2,527. The leading scholarship providers in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs, albeit with significantly fewer grants compared to Illinois.
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 Montana
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 3 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
Get matched with scholarships in 2 minutes
Scholarship climate by state
Illinois
Illinois has a vibrant scholarship landscape with numerous opportunities and a broad range of institutions offering financial aid.
Montana
Montana's scholarship climate is more limited in quantity but offers higher average award sizes, making it attractive for applicants seeking substantial funding.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Illinois?
How many scholarships are available in Montana?
Which university in Illinois offers the most scholarships?
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Montana?
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 Montana scholarship search reference - high-authority reference
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Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Illinois and Montana.
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