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Illinois vs North Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a higher number of grants but lower average award sizes compared to North Carolina, which has fewer opportunities but larger awards. Applicants should consider their financial needs and the availability of scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

North Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisNorth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog27288
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,964
Max indexed award$18,574$10,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a diverse scholarship landscape with a total of 238 grants available, averaging around $1,970. The maximum award can reach $18,574, making it an attractive option for many students. The top universities in Illinois, such as Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation, contribute significantly to the scholarship opportunities.

Conversely, North Carolina offers a smaller volume of scholarships, with only 44 grants available. However, the average award size is notably higher at approximately $2,890, with a maximum of $10,000. Key institutions like Foundation For The Carolinas and Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation lead in providing financial assistance.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in North Carolina

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a robust scholarship climate with numerous grants available, though the average award size is lower.

North Carolina

North Carolina's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities but higher average award amounts.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

North Carolina

Median household income

$71,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,102

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.80/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,970

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.83 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

100

ADI counties

100

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 100 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 100 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 Illinois?
The average scholarship amount in Illinois is approximately $1,970.
How many scholarships are available in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a total of 44 scholarships available.
Which state offers higher maximum scholarship awards?
Illinois offers a higher maximum scholarship award of $18,574 compared to North Carolina's $10,000.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Illinois?
Top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation.

Sources and official pages

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

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