How to Apply
You can apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available regardless of financial need. Our priority deadline is March 15. Using the FAFSA results, our Office of Student Financial Aid will prepare a Financial Aid Notification for you detailing the total amount of financial aid you'll receive. More information can be found on OSFA's website.
For help when filling out the FAFSA, check out the Federal Student Aid website. If you're an Illinois resident who isn't otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, you can submit the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
Estimating Your Aid
Our net price calculator can give you a better idea of how much college may cost you after receiving financial aid. This estimate is based on full-time enrollment and doesn't include merit-based or outside scholarships.
Types of Aid
We assist you in paying for your expenses in many ways:
- Scholarships and grants (67%) are awarded based on factors like academic achievement, talent, leadership, geographical location, field of study, and financial need.
- Loans (28%) must be repaid, usually with interest.
- Student employment (5%) is easy to find on campus through Federal Work-Study as well as university hourly and non-university employment.
Four Years. Free Tuition.
If you're an Illinois resident whose family makes $75,000 or less (effective fall 2025), you may be eligible for the Illinois Commitment financial aid package, which covers the cost of tuition and campus fees.
1/4 of incoming students received Illinois Commitment in 2022-2023
How We Compare
We strive to keep costs affordable. In fact, our students take out fewer loans and graduate with less debt than the national and state average.
Percent of Graduates Who Borrowed a Student Loan
National Graduates
$29,096 average loan debt
(per borrower)
State of Illinois Graduates
$28,552 average loan debt
(per borrower)
Our Graduates
$20,305 average loan debt
(per borrower)
International Students
No need-based financial aid is available to international undergraduates, and F-1 visas allow very limited opportunities for students to work at the university. For this reason, you must have sufficient funds for your entire period of study. However, limited scholarships and loans exist through International Student and Scholar Services.
Student Feature: Arnoldo
After receiving a full ride to Illinois, Arnoldo decided to pay it forward by helping to implement a brand-new scholarship on campus. He hopes it will give people from all backgrounds the opportunity to attend Illinois.
More Info
The Office of Student Financial Aid has details on all things financial aid.