Scholarships

Incoming LAS 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 scholarships, please view our incoming student scholarship FAQ page.

All currently enrolled LAS undergraduates who will be continuing as full-time students in the next academic year are encouraged to apply for LAS scholarships using the LAS scholarship application in the spring (students graduating in December may still apply). Unless otherwise noted, recipients are selected through the rating of two short essays in addition to academic merit and financial need consideration when appropriate.

While scholarships are open to all LAS students, additional 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 3.25+ GPAs who are/have worked to contribute to supporting themselves
• Juniors and seniors who demonstrate leadership potential in business and entrepreneurship
• Students studying:
  • Biological sciences majors
  • Economics majors
  • Humanities majors
  • Physical sciences majors
  • Physics majors
  • Secondary education minors

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LAS study abroad scholarships

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. For data on representation in study abroad see: https://opendoorsdata.org/data/us-study-abroad

Requirements

• For the application: two short essay responses, and general student and program information is needed
• 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

• The deadline to apply is September 15th for winter break and spring semester programs. Applicants will be notified on or after September 22nd. 
• The deadline to apply is November 1st for spring break programs. Applicants will be notified on or after November 15th. 
• The deadline to apply is February 15th for summer, summer short term, and fall or academic year programs. Applications will be notified on or after February 22nd.

Students will be notified of scholarship awards around the same time they are notified of acceptance into a program.

Please contact LAS International Programs with questions.
 

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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 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

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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 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 community 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 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.

Summer 2024 Preble Scholarship Application is available now through July 1.

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