Helping Others’ Personal Excellence Scholarship
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.
Who can apply?
The HOPE Scholarship is for students who demonstrate financial need yet do not otherwise qualify for financial aid. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled during the 2025-2026 academic year are invited to apply. To receive full consideration, complete the HOPE application by the application deadline listed below. If you are eligible to submit or have submitted a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid), you are ineligible for the HOPE scholarship.
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 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.
Only students who meet the abovementioned qualifications are eligible.
Application Deadline
For full consideration, applications must be received by June 16, 2025 at 11:59 pm.
Questions?
Contact Ross Wantland, Director of Curriculum Development and Education in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at wantland@illinois.edu.