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Illinois vs Vermont: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger volume of scholarships, making it suitable for applicants seeking diverse funding opportunities. Vermont, while having fewer scholarships, provides a higher average award size, appealing to those who prioritize larger individual grants.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

Vermont

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisVermont
Active scholarships in catalog27237
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,588
Max indexed award$18,574$17,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 238 grants available, averaging approximately $1,970. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574. The top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, which has the highest number of grants at 611, followed by Waubonsee Community College and Kankakee Community College Foundation.

In contrast, Vermont has a more limited scholarship offering, with only 30 grants available. The average award size is about $2,427, with a maximum of $17,000. Notable organizations providing scholarships in Vermont include the Vermont Principals' Association and several smaller local associations.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Vermont

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a vibrant scholarship landscape with numerous opportunities and a wide range of award sizes, making it ideal for applicants seeking variety.

Vermont

Vermont's scholarship climate is more niche, with fewer opportunities but higher average awards, suitable for applicants who can target specific local scholarships.

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.

Vermont

Median household income

$79,115

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,379

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.47/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,390

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 16.30 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

lower indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

14

ADI counties

14

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 14 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 14 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 Vermont?
Vermont offers a total of 30 scholarships.
Which university in Illinois has the most scholarship opportunities?
Loyola University Chicago has the most scholarship opportunities with 611 grants.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Vermont?
The maximum scholarship amount in Vermont is $17,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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