Scholarships 101
Do you struggle with paying for college or wonder how to pay for school without the need for 2-3 jobs? Learn how to apply for internal and external scholarships at UIC! The scholarship process can be confusing, but I hope this guide makes it a little easier to navigate the amazing scholarship opportunities that our school offers.
Who can get a scholarship?
Anyone can! Well, as long as you fit the requirements of the scholarship that is. According to Kara Halloway, UIC Director of Scholarships, “scholarship criteria vary widely, so it creates opportunities for students associated with different levels of study, fields of study, experiences, identities, interests and more. Students should carefully review the criteria of individual scholarship opportunities to determine their eligibility prior to applying.” Do not be discouraged while applying to scholarships. No matter the background, there is most likely an opportunity that meets your needs whether internally or externally.
What are internal or external scholarships?
Internal scholarships are funds given from the institution. UIC offers many internal scholarships each year which are located on the UIC SnAP portal uic.academicworks.com. To gain full access to all of the institutional scholarships offered, students should complete a General Application. Kara added, “It is important to note that the majority of applications within the UIC SnAP portal are accepted in advance of the academic year for which the funding support is applicable. For example, most applications available now will determine scholarship recipients of funding support for the 2023-2024 academic year.”
In addition to UIC SnAP, UIC also makes it easy for students to look at external scholarships that are offered by private businesses and organizations. Visit scholarships.uic.edu for more information. Subscribe to the Scholarships and Opportunities newsletter to receive their latest updates.
What type of scholarships are offered?
There are two types – merit-based and need-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are funds granted in relation to achievements, interests, and/or talents of a candidate. Need-based scholarships are decided by looking at a candidate’s financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Application). Kara recommends applying for both because they can be combined to
lower the cost of tuition.
How can you get help?
By emailing scholarshiphelp@uic.edu, students can ask for assistance with understanding the requirements of the scholarship and reviewing essays or personal statements. Students can seek additional help through the Students Financial Aid and Scholarship office located in SSB.
Good luck and don’t give up!