<p>Run the numbers through this calculator, and see how much of a difference there is: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid)</p>
<p>You are a US citizen, so you can file the FAFSA and qualify for a Stafford Loan. Is the Stafford included in your package at CMU? If not, it looks like CMU is cheaper than UIUC. Is that scholarship renewable for future years? If so, what do you need to do to keep it? If the GPA you would need is too high, you might be better off at UIUC.</p>
<p>Both of these are excellent institutions. You can get into good graduate programs from either of them.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>