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Florida vs Illinois: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Florida offers a higher number of scholarships with a slightly lower average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking more opportunities. Illinois provides slightly higher average awards but fewer total scholarships, appealing to those prioritizing larger amounts.

State vs State

State A

Florida

State B

Illinois

Quick comparison

MetricFloridaIllinois
Active scholarships in catalog974272
Avg. award (where known)$1,859$1,958
Max indexed award$34,345$18,574

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Florida presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 495 grants available, averaging approximately $1,858 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $34,345. The top universities in Florida include Eastern Florida State College, University of North Florida, and Florida Gateway College, which collectively contribute to a diverse range of funding opportunities for students.

In contrast, Illinois offers a total of 238 scholarships, with an average award size of about $1,970 and a maximum of $18,574. Notable institutions such as Loyola University Chicago and Waubonsee Community College provide substantial support to applicants, though the overall volume of opportunities is lower than in Florida.

Top Scholarship Providers in Florida

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

Florida

Florida's scholarship climate is characterized by a higher volume of opportunities, making it appealing for applicants seeking multiple funding sources.

Illinois

Illinois offers slightly higher average awards but a lower total number of scholarships, which may attract applicants focused on larger individual amounts.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Florida

Median household income

$72,373

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,459

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.28/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,880

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.86 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

67

ADI counties

67

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 67 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 67 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 Florida?
The average scholarship amount in Florida is approximately $1,858.
How many scholarships are available in Illinois?
There are 238 scholarships available in Illinois.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
Florida has the highest maximum scholarship award of $34,345.
What are some top universities in Florida for scholarships?
Top universities in Florida include Eastern Florida State College, University of North Florida, and Florida Gateway College.

Sources and official pages

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

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