Illinois vs Ohio: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a broader range of scholarships with higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Ohio, while having fewer opportunities, provides a decent average award size for those who may prefer a more focused scholarship search.
Institution A
Illinois
Institution B
Ohio
Quick comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 238 | 83 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,970 | $2,249 |
| Max indexed award | $18,574 | $9,000 |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, the scholarship climate in Illinois presents a total of 238 grants with an average award size of approximately $1,970. The maximum award available is $18,574. Top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation, each providing significant scholarship opportunities.
Conversely, Ohio has a total of 83 grants with an average award size of around $2,249, and a maximum award of $9,000. Notable institutions include Cuyahoga Community College and The Community Foundation of Shelby County, which offer various scholarships.
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 Ohio
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 76 grants
- 17 grants
- 13 grants
- 11 grants
- 4 grants
Scholarship climate by state
Illinois
Illinois has a robust scholarship climate with a high number of grants and larger average awards, making it attractive for applicants seeking extensive financial support.
Ohio
Ohio's scholarship climate, while smaller in volume, still offers reasonable average awards, appealing to applicants who prefer a more selective approach.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Illinois?
How many scholarships are available in Ohio?
Which university in Illinois has the most scholarship opportunities?
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Ohio?
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 Ohio 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 Ohio.
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