About
The Helping Others’ Personal Excellence (HOPE) Scholarship is a student-initiated fee that provides funds for students who demonstrate financial need yet do not otherwise qualify for financial aid. Illinois Student Council and I-CAUSE created and implemented this scholarship in 2020. This scholarship fund—a commitment by students, for students—is intended to help alleviate some of the burdens that come with attaining higher education.
The HOPE Scholarship is a coordinated initiative of the following campus entities:
- Illinois Student Council
- La Casa Cultural Latina
- Asian American Cultural Center
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- International Student & Scholar Services
- Student Financial Aid
Qualifications
Student applicants must identify as one of the following:
- Undocumented
- DACA
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as listed with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services. A current listing of eligible countries may be found by clicking here.
Who can apply?
Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled during the Fall 2024 and/or Spring 2025 semesters are invited to apply. To receive full consideration, complete the HOPE application by the application deadline listed below.
Illinois RISE Act/Alternative Application
Eligible undergraduate in-state (Illinois) applicants should also complete the Alternative Application (RISE Act) for full consideration. Graduate, out-of-state domestic, and international applicants do not need to complete the Alternative Application.
The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) provides a way for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. For eligible students, the Alternative Application is also part of the application process for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program (visit the MTI Scholarship page of this website for more information).
For more information about the Alternative Application, visit https://www.isac.org/Alternative-Application.
Application Deadline
Priority Deadline: Thursday, May 9 at 11:59 p.m.
Final Deadline: Thursday, June 13 at 11:59 p.m.**
**Given the demand for the scholarship, no exceptions will be made to this deadline.**
This year, given the delay in financial aid created by the U.S. Department of Education, we are offering two deadlines. The priority deadline will allow us to offer scholarships to students in advance of the new May 15 Illinois Decision date. However, if you are unable to submit the application by this deadline, please consider submitting it by the final deadline.
Apply Here!
The spring application for the HOPE Scholarship is for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Click here to access the application.
Questions?
Contact Tayler Mettler, Assistant Director for Student Engagement, at tpduncan@illinois.edu.
Question & Answer
How many times can I receive the scholarship as a student?
Students who qualify for the scholarship may receive the award each year they attend the university. The scholarship does not roll over from year to year; therefore, students must re-apply annually.
If you already received the scholarship for the current academic year and the committee has launched a second round of applications, you will not be eligible for another full scholarship. Should additional funds exist after all possibilities to maximize full scholarships for students, the committee will determine how to distribute the remaining funds.
Do I need to re-apply if I received the scholarship last year?
Yes, students interested in receiving the scholarship for the upcoming academic year must submit a new application.
How much is the scholarship award?
The scholarship award can vary from year to year, depending on the total number of qualifying applicants and available funds. The scholarship committee works to maximize the award amount provided to each student.
As an in-state undergraduate student, why should I complete the Illinois RISE Act/Alternative Application?
The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) provides a way for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. For eligible students, the Alternative Application is also part of the application process for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program (visit the MTI Scholarship page of this website for more information).
For more information about the Alternative Application, visit https://www.isac.org/Alternative-Application.
Graduate, out-of-state domestic, and international applicants do not need to complete the Alternative Application.
If I am an international student with a hardship, do I qualify?
Only international students from a country experiencing financial strain due to a crisis creating economic instability, political instability, or war qualify for the scholarship. This includes countries having experienced recent natural disasters.
Although hardship can present a financial strain for any student, the HOPE Scholarship is only available for international students who meet the criteria above.
If I am eligible to submit or have submitted a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid), do I qualify for this scholarship?
The HOPE Scholarship is for students who demonstrate financial need yet do not otherwise qualify for financial aid. Therefore, if you are eligible to submit or have submitted a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid), you do not qualify for the scholarship
How is the scholarship funded by the university?
The HOPE Scholarship is funded through a student-initiated fee. All students at Illinois pay $3.50/semester (fall and spring) to fund the scholarship.