Illinois vs Wisconsin: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a higher number of grants with a substantial maximum award, making it suitable for applicants seeking diverse funding options. Wisconsin, while having a slightly higher average award, has fewer opportunities, which may appeal to those targeting specific scholarships.
Institution A
Illinois
Institution B
Wisconsin
Quick comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 272 | 62 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,958 | $2,166 |
| Max indexed award | $18,574 | $12,000 |
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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 $1,970. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574, indicating a wide range of funding opportunities for students. The top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation, which collectively offer a significant number of grants.
Conversely, Wisconsin has a more limited scholarship offering with only 58 grants, averaging $2,134. The maximum award in Wisconsin is capped at $12,000. Notable institutions providing scholarships in Wisconsin include the National Dairy Shrine and the American Water Works Association-Wisconsin Section, though they offer fewer grants compared to their Illinois counterparts.
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 Wisconsin
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 10 grants
- 3 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 1 grant
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Scholarship climate by state
Illinois
Illinois has a competitive scholarship landscape with a higher volume of grants and substantial maximum awards, appealing to a broad range of applicants.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's scholarship climate is more niche, with fewer opportunities but slightly higher average awards, suitable for targeted applicants.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Illinois?
How many scholarships are available in Wisconsin?
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship amount?
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
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