Illinois vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger number of scholarships with lower average awards, while Washington provides higher average awards but fewer opportunities. Applicants should consider their funding needs and the availability of scholarships.
Institution A
Illinois
Institution B
Washington
Quick comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 272 | 191 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,958 | $3,652 |
| Max indexed award | $18,574 | $25,000 |
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Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Illinois presents a scholarship landscape with a total of 238 grants available, averaging around $1,970 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574. Notable 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, Washington offers a more lucrative average scholarship amount of approximately $3,739, with a maximum award of $25,000, but with only 124 grants available. Key universities in Washington include Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, which provide a significant number of awards.
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 Washington
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 27 grants
- 25 grants
- 17 grants
- 6 grants
- 2 grants
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Scholarship climate by state
Illinois
Illinois has a robust scholarship environment with numerous opportunities, though the average award size is relatively low.
Washington
Washington's scholarship climate features fewer opportunities but higher average award sizes, making it attractive for those seeking substantial funding.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Illinois?
How many scholarships are available in Washington?
Which state has higher maximum scholarship awards?
What are the top universities for scholarships in Illinois?
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 Washington 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 Washington.
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