Our experience at UIUC has been vastly different than most of the posts I’ve read regarding this topic. As a matter of fact, UIUC is the only school other than IU that has offered a full ride for my daughter who is not qualified for any need-based aid. We didn’t even qualify for government loans even though I am a 100% single parent.
Here’s a part of our success. She received scholarship offers early from various institutions (except Berkeley and USC: nothing from them). UIUC offered her $28,000 (apparently, they are not allowed to cover the entire tuition with this particular scholarship which is around 31k for out-of-state)) in James Scholarship initially with the acceptance letter. She also received a good chunk from Vanderbilt which was more than what UIUC offered; we communicated this to UIUC (in-person), and they came back with the Chancellor’s Scholarship which ended up covering the tuition/room/board. I believe one of them is for all 4 years (5 years if needed, since she’s doing double major and a minor) and the other is for 2 years with the possibility of extension? Not sure.
Here are my daughter’s stats: 16 years old, out-of-state, white, 35.5 ACT (she only took it once: not sure if that matters), full IB diploma instead of AP classes (she walked in with 53 credit hours), advanced violin student (the 28k was based on that, I think, and the rest was math-related), I don’t believe she had a 4.0 but close to it, 570 or so hours of community service, and most of all, extremely well-balanced. She’s gotten 8+ hours of sleep all through high school even with her workload! It is curious, however, that UIUC appreciated her more than other schools in terms of scholarship offers as they don’t do in-person interviews like some of the other schools when these non-tangible qualities could be assessed.
My advice to other parents is not to give up and not to simply accept the initial letter. I don’t remember the title of the person, but I met with the person who at the last minute “remembered” that my daughter might qualify for the Chancellor’s scholarship. I believe each school has its own personnel that handles scholarship award process (who should get it) and then there’s a specific “professor” (dept. chair maybe?) that helps distribute that fund (as in how much).
Again, we’re out-of-state, and there are only 10 Chancellor’s Scholar spots for out-of-state. I understand there are more than 125 for in-state. My daughter is in her second semester and LOVES UIUC. She says all of her teachers/professors, except for one, have been outstanding. She came from a graduating class of 73, and UIUC was her last choice, yet this behemoth of a school has been an excellent fit. Who is to say that she wouldn’t have done better at a more prestigious school, but considering that she’s getting a free education, I think it has worked out quite well.
So, parents, do not give up on affordable college education. It is daunting and after a year of having been in the process, am I able to sit and digest the whole thing. I wish I had known all of this beforehand…could have saved time and anxiety. Keep making those calls and advocate on behalf of your children, and good luck. Sorry for the long post but hope it helps someone!