Illinois vs Iowa: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a higher total opportunity volume with more grants available, making it suitable for applicants seeking diverse funding options. Iowa, while having a higher average award size, has fewer opportunities, which may appeal to those targeting specific scholarships.
Institution A
Illinois
Institution B
Iowa
Quick comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 272 | 39 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,958 | $2,305 |
| Max indexed award | $18,574 | $11,000 |
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Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 280 grants available, averaging $1,937 per award, and a maximum award size reaching $18,574. The top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation, which collectively offer numerous scholarship opportunities.
Conversely, Iowa has a more limited scholarship landscape with only 39 grants available, averaging $2,305 per award and a maximum of $11,000. The primary scholarship providers in Iowa include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, among others.
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 Iowa
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
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Scholarship climate by state
Illinois
Illinois has a vibrant scholarship climate with numerous opportunities and a wide range of award amounts, making it appealing for many applicants.
Iowa
Iowa offers fewer scholarships but with a higher average award size, which may attract applicants focused on securing larger funding from specific sources.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Illinois?
How many scholarships are available in Iowa?
Which state offers 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 Iowa 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 Iowa.
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