UIS Academic and Merit Scholarships

Apply for admission to find out about your scholarship! Your application for admission is your key to enrolling and affording the #1 regional public university in Illinois. Admission and merit scholarship decisions will generally be based on unweighted GPA only and are generally not awarded to students enrolling in a 100% online program.

UIS offers generous scholarships to high-achieving students. In 2024-25, more than 80% of undergraduate students received gift aid, and students received more than $7 million in UIS Scholarship programs. Most of these programs do not require a separate application and are offered to eligible students upon admission to the university.

It is important to search for scholarship opportunities from all sources. Visit our Other Scholarship Opportunities page to learn more and find useful links and resources.

New students beginning at UIS for the 2023-24 academic year and beyond may not have combined UIS scholarships that exceed tuition and mandatory fee charges. Therefore, some students may see a reduction in scholarship funds on their comprehensive financial aid offer notification. Find more details on the Institutional UIS Funded Scholarships and Grants Policy.

UIS Global students are not eligible for most UIS scholarships based upon their participation in the UIS Global partnership, with the exception of donor-funded UIS Scholarships. Please visit the International Students financial aid webpage for other resources and information.  

Name Description Scholarship Amount Scholarship Deadline Scholarship for
Capital Scholars Honor scholarship Capital Scholars (CAP) Honors Program Scholarships for New First-Year Students up to $8,000/year First-Year, Undergraduate
Donor Funded Institutional Scholarships Donor-funded scholarships provided by generous alumni and friends of UIS. Annual application required. Varies Mid-February each year First-Year, Undergraduate, Transfer, Graduate
Other UIS Scholarships Information about additional scholarships such as Pre-Nursing and Speech & Debate Varies Varies First-Year, Undergraduate, Transfer
Out of State Scholarships Merit-based scholarships to out of state students. Up to 15 Credit Hours rolling First-Year, Undergraduate, Transfer
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships Transfer students who are members of the honorary Phi Theta Kappa society are eligible to apply. $2,500/year December 1 for Spring Term; May 1 for Fall Term Undergraduate, Transfer
President’s Award Program High achieving newly-admitted freshmen from Illinois are considered for the PAP award. $5,000/year; $10,000/year rolling First-Year, Undergraduate
Transfer Merit Scholarship The University of Illinois Springfield offers merit-based scholarships to new transfer students! up to $2,500/year rolling Undergraduate, Transfer
UIS Star Scholar Award Merit Scholarships for New First-Year Students  up to $7,000/year rolling First-Year, Undergraduate