First-year priority scholarship date
UIC offers several merit-based scholarships. To be at the top of our list for these offers, students should submit their UIC admission application by November 1, our date for priority consideration for first-year applicants.
Submitting by this date allows us to review your application earlier, and if you apply under the Early Action plan, we will contact you by December about our admission decision. It also prioritizes your application for consideration for many of our scholarship programs.
Please also submit your FAFSA application early. Some merit-based programs may still consider financial need.
The programs listed below highlight just the major awards available at UIC. This list is not meant to be exhaustive.
Major scholarship programs
Chancellor’s Fellows Program
High achieving students who will graduate from Illinois high school can have their UIC tuition and fees covered under this scholarship program.
The program is open to Illinois residents who are also U.S. citizens, or eligible non citizens, whose families have a household income less than six times the federal poverty rate (see FAQ below for details). Other eligibility requirements exist:
- Must be first-time college students
- Must have a minimum unweighted high school GPA of 3.8 at the time of application
- Must have a minimum SAT score of 1360 or ACT score of 30 at the time of application
- Students must apply to UIC and submit a FAFSA by Nov. 1 to be considered
High school valedictorians at high schools who rank are also eligible, regardless of test score. Please see the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships website for full eligibility requirements. You may also review the Chancellor's Fellows Frequency Ask Questions guide below.
President’s Award Program
Outstanding Illinois students from underrepresented groups may qualify for the President's Award Program. High school records and performance, standardized test scores and other materials determine a student’s eligibility. Qualifying underrepresented students are defined as those that fall under one or more of these categories:
- From ethnic groups historically underrepresented in higher education.
- From a county with low representation in the university system.
- From a family not expected to contribute to their student’s education (must be verified with a FAFSA report).
Honors College Scholarships
The Honors College offers a full range of scholarships for incoming first-year and transfer students. Scholarships are awarded based on the competitiveness of a student’s admissions application and the strength of their interview, an additional requirement for the college. (Supplemental Honors College application is required).
Departmental Awards
College- and program-specific awards are also available. These opportunities are offered after a student’s application for admission has been reviewed. Examples include:
Business Scholars
UIC Business Scholars may receive scholarships based on unmet need. Students must apply to UIC, select a major within the UIC College of Business Administration, and complete the supplemental honors college application to be considered.
Other awards
Several departments and colleges offer scholarships upon review of the application.
UIC Merit Tuition Rate
This is an adjusted, merit-based tuition rate for high-achieving nonresident applicants. To be eligible, applicants are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who do not qualify for in-state tuition. Students’ grade point average, standardized test scores, and major selection are taken into consideration.