Liberal arts & sciences scholarships

Incoming LAS undergraduate students need not apply for scholarships; if you are an admitted student to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, you will be automatically considered for scholarships administered by the college.

The information from your application for admission is used for scholarship consideration. For need-based scholarships, the information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is also used for consideration. To be considered for any need-based scholarships, a FAFSA must be completed.

For general questions on liberal arts scholarships, please view our incoming student scholarship FAQ page.

All currently enrolled LAS undergraduate students who plan to continue a full-time liberal arts degree program in the next academic year are encouraged to apply for LAS scholarships. To apply, please use the LAS scholarship application available in the spring. Note that students graduating in December are still eligible to apply. Unless otherwise noted, recipients are selected based on two short essays, academic merit, and financial need when appropriate.

While scholarships are open to all LAS students, additional department scholarships are available to students who meet the following criteria. Students with these qualities and interests are especially encouraged to apply:

• Juniors and seniors in STEM majors are enrolled in the secondary education program
• Students with a sibling or relative with Down Syndrome
• First-semester sophomores with a minimum GPA of 3.25 who are/have worked to contribute to supporting themselves
• Juniors and seniors who demonstrate financial leadership potential in business and entrepreneurship
• Students studying:
  • Biological sciences majors
  • Economics majors
  • Humanities majors
  • Physical sciences majors
  • Secondary education minors

Apply

The College of LAS offers multiple scholarships for undergraduate students interested in studying abroad. Please contact LAS International Programs with questions.

LAS Global Engagement Scholarship

The LAS Global Engagement Scholarship is available for current LAS students who plan to study abroad in an Illinois-approved program.

Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. Applications are reviewed by a LAS scholarship committee comprised of three professional staff members. Applications are reviewed separately for short-term and semester-based programs.

Preference will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Will study abroad outside of the European Union, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
• Will study abroad for a full academic year
• Belong to groups that are historically and currently underrepresented in study abroad.

Requirements

• For application: Two short essay responses, and general student and program information.
• Pre-departure: Attend all required pre-departure course meetings, workshops, and orientation sessions. For semester and academic year students, fulfill all LAS 291 requirements.
• While abroad: Maintain full-time study and bring back equivalent full-time credit hours. Semester, academic year, and full summer term students must complete all required LAS 292 requirements.
• Upon returning to Illinois: Complete the final scholarship project. Details are provided on the scholarship brochure and acceptance form.

Application deadlines

• Winter break and spring semester programs: September 15. Applicants will be notified on or after September 22.
• Spring break programs: November 1. Applicants will be notified on or after November 15.
• Summer, summer short term, and fall or academic year programs: February 15. Applications will be notified on or after February 22.

Apply

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LAS Sustainable Education Abroad Scholarship (SEAS)

The LAS Sustainable Education Abroad Scholarship (SEAS) encourages students enrolled in semester-long and all-year education abroad programming to use their education abroad experience as a vehicle to explore sustainability practices in another setting outside of the U.S.

Given the scope and urgency of climate change, LAS students are well-positioned to address issues of climate justice. This scholarship encourages and supports the plurality of disciplines and academic goals of our students. Applicants will demonstrate a vested interest in the environment at large; whether it be through a named bachelor’s degree program, extracurricular, community/RSO work, or personal interest.

The objective is to gain experience working alongside international education partners and develop best practices and guidelines for students and international education stakeholders, as well as advocate for concrete policy or practices for our University and CU community.

Scholarship amounts

Scholarship amounts range from $2,000 to $5,000. Awards are determined based on the cost and length of the study abroad program and the availability of funds.

• $2,000 for summer semester programs (must return 6-12 credits)
• $3,000 for a semester-long program (fall or spring)
• $5,000 for a year-long program (academic or calendar year programs)

Application deadlines and notification

• Sept. 15 for spring semester programs
• Feb. 15 for summer*, fall, or academic year programs *Must return 6-12 credits

Note: When applying, please choose the application term that corresponds with the term in which you plan to study abroad.

Students will be notified of scholarship awards around the same period they are notified of acceptance into an education abroad program. Students must be accepted into a program in order to accept the scholarship.

Apply

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Illinois for Illinois (I4I) and Illinois International Programs (IIP) Scholarships

The I4I and IIP scholarships are campus-wide scholarships that support University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students studying abroad on an active, university-approved program listed in My Study Abroad.

Scholarship amounts

• $1,000 – Short-term program (Winter, Spring, or Summer, must be tied to a fall or spring course)
• $2,000 – Full-time Summer program (6–12 returned credits)
• $3,000 – Semester-long program (Fall or Spring)
• $5,000 – Academic Year program

Requirements

• For application: Two short essay responses, plus general student and program information. Essays are evaluated using the I4I/IIP Essay Scoring Guide.
• While abroad: Maintain full-time study and bring back equivalent full-time credit hours.
• Upon return: Submit a final report and photos through the My Study Abroad portal.

Application deadlines & notifications

• Fall Cycle Deadline: September 1 (for Winter Short-Term, Spring Semester, and Spring Short-Term programs)
• Spring Cycle Deadline: February 1 (for Summer Short-Term, Summer Semester (Full-time, 6–12 returned credits), Fall Semester, and Academic Year programs)

I4I Only: Students may apply up to three cycles early for a scholarship (e.g., if studying abroad in Spring 2026, students may apply in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Fall 2025).

Scholarship notifications & disbursement

• Notifications are sent 3-4 weeks after the application deadline.
• Awards are applied to student accounts before the study abroad term begins (timing varies by program length).

Additional information

• Late applications are not accepted.
• Students who withdraw or change programs must notify the Study Abroad Scholarship Team immediately—scholarships may be deferred or rescinded.
• Preference is given to students who have not received a prior award.

Apply

LAS Get Experience scholarships support students’ experiences in professional work with the goal of advancing their career readiness.

The Get Experience Scholarship was established to support student engagement in hands-on learning experiences that enhance and compliment their academic coursework.

Sometimes students find compelling opportunities to explore career fields and build advance career readiness in places where their contributions are unpaid or underpaid. This can create significant barriers for students to take advantage of these career and professional development opportunities. Get Experience scholarships are intended to reduce such barriers.

Experiential learning opportunities that may be supported by this scholarship include, but are not limited to: an internship, undergraduate research experience, extended volunteer or community service experience, or part-time job. A formula is used to apply scholarship funding to support the gap in pay, as well as relocation expenses where applicable.

Learn more

Incoming students in the Access and Achievement Program need not apply for scholarships; if you are an admitted student in AAP, you will be automatically considered for scholarships administered by the program.

The information from your application for admission and from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used for scholarship consideration. To be considered for any AAP scholarships, a FAFSA must be completed.

For general questions on LAS scholarships, please contact las-accessachievement@illinois.edu. 

James Scholar Preble Research Scholarship

This scholarship provides support to outstanding James Scholars involved in undergraduate research. Junior and senior certified James Scholars in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are invited to apply.

Scholarships are typically awarded in the amount of $1000, although the Honors Council may adjust the award amount if they deem it to be appropriate for a particular application.

Applicants are encouraged to work with their PI or research advisor on their application. They're asked to provide the following information via the application:

• In 300 words or less, provide a description or abstract of your project. Please include information about the significance of this research to a broader audience and the specific methods you will use to carry out the research. Note that the Honors Council consists of representatives from a variety of disciplines. Please take care to provide a project description that can be understood by a broad audience.
• In 300 words or less, share how this award will support your academic and future endeavors. What will this award support you to do (i.e. travel to present or execute research, provide funding for dedicated research time, etc.)?
  • If you request a research travel award, include the details of your travel plan. Requests for travel to participate in a conference are welcome, but travel should relate to the current semester.
  • Examination fees are not regarded as an eligible expense.
  • If you are requesting funds to allow you to have dedicated research time, please address in detail the ways in which your research and experience at Illinois will be enriched by the award. 
  • No matter how your funds would be spent, please clearly indicate the following:
    1. any other funding you may be receiving,
    2. how costs exceeding the award will be covered, and
    3. alternative sources should a James Scholar award not be available.
• Have you received James Scholar Research Support in the past? If so, how was it used, and why should a second award be funded?
• Please attach a resume that includes work experience, campus and extracurricular activities, and university honors and awards.
• A letter of reference from the individual advising your research project.

Please note: these scholarships are considered taxable income. What does this mean?

• All liberal arts scholarships, fellowships and grants paid to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Resident Aliens will be reported to the student and the IRS on Form 1098-T for the calendar year in which the payment was made. The University of Illinois System does not report Form 1098-T for Nonresident Aliens unless requested.
• Scholarships, fellowships and grants for unqualified expenses, i.e. room, board, travel, research, non-mandatory fees, books or supplies, are taxable income (refer student to IRS Publication 970). It is the student’s responsibility to determine and report to the IRS taxable scholarships, fellowships and/or grants received.
• The student is responsible for reviewing their Financial Aid Award letter and student account billing statement after the scholarship, fellowship or grant has been paid in order to understand the impact of the payment.

Preble scholarship applications are available each semester, including summer term.