University of Illinois Chicago

Paying for College

A UIC education brings a lifetime of benefits

The University of Illinois Chicago is recognized nationally for its great value.  UIC students earn more than many of their peers when they graduate, yet pay lower tuition than they would at most other universities.

There are many ways to pay for college. Federal aid, loans, grants, scholarships and student jobs can make college more affordable and accessible to students. Graduate students can reduce tuition and other costs with assistantships and fellowships, as well as grants outside UIC.

UIC Office of Career Services
1/30/09
Photo: Kathryn Marchetti

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We're here to help

“About 81% of our students receive some type of financial assistance for their educations. In 2021-2022, we helped our undergraduates receive $304 million in federal, state, institutional and private funding.”

 

Kiely Fletcher, vice provost for enrollment management

Scholarships

Young woman standing outside of Honors College offices

Scholarships vary by type of student:

  • First-year students are considered for scholarships based on their UIC applications. They may submit additional forms for federal or merit-based aid.
  • Transfer undergraduates, continuing undergraduates, ROTC cadets and non-resident undergraduates have several scholarship, grant, and waiver opportunities.
  • The Honors College offers merit scholarships to first-year students based on their UIC applications. It also awards merit scholarships to transfer students, current Honors College students and others. The listserv ossp@listserv.uic.edu keeps students up to date on opportunities.
  • Graduate students can seek assistantships, fellowships and other aid through their colleges.
  • For professional school students and undergraduates, the Office of External Fellowships advises on competitive awards.
  • Find and apply to available scholarships at UIC with the UIC SnAP website.

Jobs on campus

Commuter students work at desks and in chairs

More than 3,200 students work on-campus, while others work near the Chicago-land area or return to a job at home during break periods to pay for college.  On-campus jobs are a convenient option and offer flexible scheduling.  Working a part-time job during college can provide spending money, supplement scholarships or other financial aid, and students gain valuable experiences for eventual full-time employment.

 

The Student Employment Office, part of Career Services, helps connect job-seeking students with UIC departments that are hiring. Learn more about the employment resources available for students and view the current job listings.

 

Assistantships and fellowships

Young woman smiling outside lecture hall

Colleges and other units at UIC offer graduate students the opportunity to teach, conduct research or do administrative work in paid assistantships. Assistants receive stipends, tuition waivers, certain fee waivers and the option to buy low-cost health insurance. While most assistantships are found through individual colleges, some are listed on UIC’s job board.

Internal UIC fellowships include university fellowships and Graduate College fellowships. For specialized, competitive opportunities, external fellowships are available from foundations or other grant-making bodies outside UIC.