Illinois AIM HIGH Grant

Twelve Illinois public universities run their own merit awards under this state matching program, aimed at Illinois residents whose household income is no more than eight times the federal poverty guideline. The state puts up money and the campus matches it, and awards renew for up to four years of full-time bachelor's study. Because each university sets its own GPA or test criteria, its own award amounts, and its own filing dates, there is no single statewide application: file the FAFSA, or the RISE Act Alternative Application if you are undocumented or DACA, and then whatever that campus requires. Illinois residency and Illinois high school attendance are also required. Ask the financial aid office at each Illinois public university on your list, in the fall of senior year, what its AIM HIGH criteria and dates actually are.

How hard is the Illinois AIM HIGH Grant to win?

This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.

What drives the odds here

Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.

• Fewer rivalsOpen only to Illinois residents

How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.

Who can apply for the Illinois AIM HIGH Grant?

These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.

• ✓Must be a resident of Illinois
• ✓Open to high school seniors and current college students
• ✓Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card), DACA/Dreamer students, or undocumented students

What the application takes

No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.

Deadline and application cycle

The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. There is no statewide date: each Illinois public university sets its own AIM HIGH criteria, amount, and cutoff, so ask its aid office.

FAFSA or Alternative Application opens

October 1, 2026

Campus criteria and dates vary

Ask each university in the fall

State award year ends

June 30, 2027

Award appears on the campus aid offer

Spring

Common questions about the Illinois AIM HIGH Grant

More state grants & programs

• 802 Opportunity Grant
  Full tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
• Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
  Varies by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
• Alabama Student Grant Program
  Up to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
• Alaska Education Grant
  $500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
• Alaska Performance Scholarship
  $3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
• Arizona Promise Program
  Full tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)

Lists this award appears on

• Illinois Scholarships and State Grants
• No-Essay Scholarships
• Renewable Scholarships (Multi-Year Awards)
• Scholarships With June Deadlines