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Illinois vs South Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a broader range of scholarships with higher total opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking more financial aid options. South Carolina, while having higher average awards, has fewer opportunities, appealing to those who prioritize award size over quantity.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

South Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisSouth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog27254
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,295
Max indexed award$18,574$18,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 238 grants available, averaging approximately $1,970 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574, making it a competitive option for students. Top universities such as Loyola University Chicago and Waubonsee Community College lead in grant counts, providing numerous opportunities for applicants.

In contrast, South Carolina offers a smaller scholarship landscape with only 38 grants available, averaging around $2,242 per award. The maximum award size is $18,000. Midlands Technical College stands out with the highest number of grants, but overall, the limited number of scholarships may require applicants to be more strategic in their search.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Carolina

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a diverse scholarship landscape with a significant number of opportunities and a variety of institutions offering aid.

South Carolina

South Carolina's scholarship climate is more limited, with fewer opportunities but higher average award sizes.

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.

South Carolina

Median household income

$67,568

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,070

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.92/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$46,490

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 42.50 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

46

ADI counties

46

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 46 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 46 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 South Carolina?
There are 38 scholarships available in South Carolina.
Which university in Illinois offers the most scholarships?
Loyola University Chicago offers the most scholarships in Illinois.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in South Carolina?
The maximum scholarship amount in South Carolina is $18,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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