Donor-Funded Institutional Scholarships
Our 2027-2028 donor-funded application is estimated to open in early November 2026 and close in the middle of February 2027.
One application is used to apply for various scholarships including Study Away, Music, Athletics and many more! A variety of student populations can participate in this process - first-time freshmen, continuing, transfer, international, online, and graduate students. Students must be admitted to UIS and have their NetID, password, and UIN to login and apply.
Students should anticipate spending about 30 minutes to complete their application. This estimated time frame does not include the narrative and upload portions.
Please note that it is highly recommended that eligible students submit the FAFSA prior to the scholarship deadline. Aside from other aid eligibility, many scholarships consider whether the student has financial need. Students are also encouraged to complete the scholarship application as early as possible to avoid any technical errors or submissions issues. Unsubmitted applications will not be considered in award selection.
Each year, hundreds of scholarships are available through our university alumni and friends. It is through their kindness and generosity that this funding assistance is possible. Just over $1,070,000 was awarded to about 340 UIS students for the 2026-2027 academic year!
| GeNERAL Timeline | Application Steps |
|---|---|
| Early November | Application opens |
| October - February | Complete the 2027-2028 FAFSA® (recommended for scholarships that require financial need) |
| Mid-February | Application closes (unsubmitted applications will not be considered) |
| Late Spring - Early Summer | First round scholarship notifications sent (via UIS email) |
| Summer - Early Fall | Second round scholarship notifications sent (via UIS email) and are ongoing until all scholarships are claimed |
- Please note that the Office of Financial Assistance cannot advise students on how they answer application questions. These answers are individualized based on the students' personal, educational and professional experiences and goals. However, we can offer recommendations for the personal essay/narrative sections. Scholarship Application Assistance from the Learning Hub are available.
- Any student that is selected for a donor-funded scholarship will be required to write a Thank You Letter. These letters are required for the processing and disbursement of the award to the student's account. For more information on what is needed to satisfy this requirement please view our Thank You Letter Guidelines.
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Mid-February each year