The UIC Opportunity Grant is a new program beginning in the 2019/2020 academic year. The grant provides up to $3700 in institutional funding for Illinois residents. The Opportunity Grant can be renewed for up to 8 paid semesters for incoming students and four paid semesters for transfer students. See your UIC Portal to track your payments at: my.uic.edu. This information will also be included in your financial aid notification.

Grant Eligibility:

  • Student Aid Index (SAI) of -1500 – 7395
  • Illinois residency
  • Submitted FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by 2/15 deadline
    • Failure to complete your application and/or financial aid file by the deadline will result in ineligibility for the UIC Grant program.
  • Enroll in a minimum of 6+ credit hours per semester.
  • Continuing students who received the UIC Access to Excellence Grant must not have exceeded eight paid semesters for 1st-time students and four paid semesters for Transfer students.
  • Must be working towards 1st bachelor’s degree
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The UIC Access to Excellence Grant program was discontinued in the 2019/2020 academic year and succeeded by the UIC Opportunity Grant. These grants were limited to 8 paid semesters for students that entered as freshmen OR 4 paid semesters for transfer students. See your UIC award letter to track your usage.

However, for eligible students who entered UIC as freshmen but have exceeded 8 paid semesters OR transfer students who have exceeded 4 paid semesters of institutional grant, and have completed 96 credits or more, could qualify for a one-time UIC Completion Grant.

Funds are limited, and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

The maximum UIC Completion Grant award is $1,850 for 2022/2023.

Grant eligibility:

  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0-500
  • Illinois residency
  • Submitted FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by 2/15 priority deadline for full consideration
  • Must be working towards 1st bachelor’s degree
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Please see Institutional Grants FAQs.

UPDATE!  All UIC Grant funding for 22/23 has been exhausted as of 9/23/2022.

For the 22/23 Award Year, Illinois residents who reside in campus housing and have an EFC between $0 and $500 are eligible for a $5,000 UIC Housing Grant. Students must submit their FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid and a completed UIC Housing application to receive full consideration. Funding is limited and not all eligible students are awarded; funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each year the office allocates limited funding to assist undergraduates in need of additional assistance. To be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Completed the appropriate FAFSA.
  • Have financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
  • Qualify for Illinois resident tuition.
  • Basic eligibility criteria for federal aid:
    • U.S. Citizen or an Eligible Non-citizen;
    • If male, registered with Selective Service;
    • Have a high School diploma or GED High School Equivalency diploma;
    • Be enrolled in a degree-seeking or approved certificate program;
    • Be in good-standing for any federal education loans or federal grants;
    • Meeting the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress;
    • Be enrolled at least half-time;
    • Have not completed degree requirements for graduation.
  • Must have completed a Change of Financial Situation Form for the appropriate year.
  • Eligibility for the award is determined after the Change of Financial Situation form is completed and reviewed. The award ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 for the academic year. Not all eligible students are awarded.

The Student-to-Student Grant is funded by fees collected from UIC students. This grant is available to undergraduate Illinois residents seeking their first bachelor’s degree, enrolled full time, eligible for the MAP grant, and with an EFC of $0. Funding for this program is limited and not all eligible students are awarded. STS ranges from $500 to $3,000 for the academic year.