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Illinois vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger number of scholarships with lower average awards, while Washington provides higher average awards but fewer opportunities. Applicants should consider their funding needs and the availability of scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisWashington
Active scholarships in catalog272191
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$3,652
Max indexed award$18,574$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

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

Conversely, Washington offers a more lucrative average scholarship amount of approximately $3,739, with a maximum award of $25,000, but with only 124 grants available. Key universities in Washington include Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, which provide a significant number of awards.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a robust scholarship environment with numerous opportunities, though the average award size is relatively low.

Washington

Washington's scholarship climate features fewer opportunities but higher average award sizes, making it attractive for those seeking substantial funding.

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.

Washington

Median household income

$97,733

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,418

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.29/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$62,990

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.40 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

lower indicator band

SVI counties

39

ADI counties

39

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 39 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 39 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 Washington?
Washington has a total of 124 scholarships available.
Which state has higher maximum scholarship awards?
Washington has a higher maximum scholarship award of $25,000 compared to Illinois's $18,574.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Illinois?
Top universities in Illinois for scholarships 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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