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California vs Illinois: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? California offers a higher average award size and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial funding. Illinois, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for smaller, potentially more accessible awards.

State vs State

State A

California

State B

Illinois

Quick comparison

MetricCaliforniaIllinois
Active scholarships in catalog374272
Avg. award (where known)$2,809$1,958
Max indexed award$60,000$18,574

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, California presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 327 grants available, averaging approximately $2,791 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $60,000, making it an attractive option for students seeking significant financial assistance. Key scholarship providers include the Sonora Area Foundation, which offers 67 grants, and several others focused on community support.

In contrast, Illinois offers a total of 238 grants with an average award size of around $1,970, and a maximum award limit of $18,574. Notable institutions like Loyola University Chicago lead in grant offerings, providing a solid foundation for students in need of financial aid.

Top Scholarship Providers in California

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

California

California's scholarship climate is characterized by a high volume of opportunities and larger average awards, appealing to students needing substantial financial support.

Illinois

Illinois offers a smaller number of scholarships with lower average awards, which may be more accessible for students seeking less competitive funding.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

California

Median household income

$99,234

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,975

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

28.24/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$58,240

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 43.88 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

45

ADI counties

56

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 45 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 56 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Illinois

Median household income

$83,872

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,002

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.12/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$51,960

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 32.18 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

102

ADI counties

102

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 102 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 102 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in California?
The average scholarship amount in California is approximately $2,791.
How many scholarships are available in Illinois?
There are 238 scholarships available in Illinois.
Which university in California offers the most scholarships?
The Sonora Area Foundation offers the most scholarships in California, with 67 grants.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Illinois?
The maximum scholarship amount in Illinois is $18,574.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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