Bachelor of Science in Communication Illinois Institute of Technology

As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).

First-Year Domestic Scholarships

All domestic first-year students are considered for the Heald scholarship, an institutional tuition award ranging from $60,000 to $120,000 over four years of undergraduate study. No additional application is necessary to be considered for the Heald scholarship.

The following scholarships are also available to first-year students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Please note that some of these scholarships require a separate scholarship application.

Additional Institutional and Donor-Funded Institutional Scholarships

If a student earns one of the institutional scholarships listed below, the highest institutional scholarship awarded will replace the Heald scholarship awarded upon admission. The university will not combine multiple scholarships unless otherwise noted.

Deadline November 15

Camras, Crown, Duchoissois, and Leadership Academy Scholars make up approximately 4-5% of our incoming first-year class each year. Apply under Early Decision I or Early Action I to be considered for these full-tuition scholarships.

• Camras Scholarship
• Crown Scholarship
• Duchoissois Leadership Scholars
• M.A. and Lila Self Leadership Academic Scholars

Deadline January 15

Apply under Early Decision I/II or Early Action I/II to be considered.

• Illinois Tech VEX Robotics Scholarship
• Illinois Tech FIRST Robotics
• The Chicago Difference

Navy ROTC and Service-Based Scholarships

If a student earns one of the scholarships listed below, the highest institutional scholarship awarded will replace the Heald scholarship, which is awarded upon admission. The university will not combine multiple scholarships unless otherwise noted.

• NROTC Preparatory Scholarship
• Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
• Chicago Police and Fire Departments Scholarship

Interest-Based Scholarships

The awards below may be combined with existing Illinois Tech institutional scholarships.

• Illinois Tech Esports Scholarship
• Alumni Scholarship
• EDGE Award: The Edge award funds Elevate experiential learning opportunities such as study away, research, internships/co-ops, and more. Students may earn Edge awards by participating in virtual internships and other activities prior to enrolling at Illinois Tech. Learn more about Elevate and Edge awards.

Need-Based Scholarships

To be considered for need-based financial aid at Illinois Tech, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA. Designate "IIT" on the FAFSA with our Title IV code, 001691, so we will receive your electronic Student Aid Report.

In addition to institutional scholarships, students who submit their FAFSA to Illinois Tech also receive on average $34,412 over four years in federal and state grants and institutional need-based scholarships. Students who submit their FAFSA will also be considered for loans and federal work-study.

External Scholarships

Illinois Tech is committed to helping students secure additional funding from outside sources. We regularly add outside scholarships to our Scholarship Opportunities spreadsheet, which can be accessed through the Scholarship Channel on the myIIT portal, which students can gain access to upon admission to the university.

International Undergraduate Student Scholarships

Illinois Tech is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student body, and we offer institutional scholarships to international students ranging from $40,000-$80,000 over four years of undergraduate study. International first-year and transfer students are eligible for a combination of scholarship and grant packages, including institutional scholarships and Phi Theta Kappa membership. Each application is automatically reviewed for institutional scholarships based on the student’s academic success, involvement in the community, and other achievements. No additional application is required.

Because international students are expected to finance their education for the duration of study at Illinois Tech, international students are required to submit the Financial Affidavit of Support to demonstrate their ability or the ability of an individual or government sponsor to finance their education. Tuition and fees may change each year, but you can view them for the current academic year.

You must demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances* to meet the educational and living expenses while you are a student at Illinois Tech.

* Minimum dollar amount may vary based on any institutional scholarships awarded.

Please note: If a student earns multiple Illinois Institute of Technology institutional scholarships throughout the admission process, the university will award the highest institutional award for which the student is qualified but will not combine multiple awards.

Additional Institutional and Donor-Funded Scholarships

M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholars

Application Deadline: November 15 (You must apply under Early Decision I or Early Action I to be considered)

Complete and submit the Leadership Academy Scholarship Application

Named for former University Regent Al Self and his wife, Lila, the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship is a distinguished and prestigious award given to the top applicants to the university who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential.

Illinois Tech World Robot Olympiad Scholarship

Candidates competing for the Illinois Tech WRO scholarships demonstrate an aptitude for science, technology, and other STEM subjects. WRO scholars are eligible for an institutional scholarship award of $25,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study (five years for architecture).

Dimiter Etimov Scholarship

Bulgarian citizens who are accepted for admission to an Illinois Tech undergraduate program may apply for the Dimiter Etimov Scholarship. Applicants must have graduated from a Bulgarian high school and intend to return to Bulgaria after their studies.

Contact: Professor Alex Nikolov

Online Funding and Scholarship Databases

Fastweb: Searchable database of scholarships

College Scholarships: Fee-based scholarship application service

Funding for United States Study: Database of more than 500 scholarships, fellowships, and grants for international students, organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education

GrantsNet: Database of grants for training in the sciences and undergraduate science education.

International Education Financial Aid: Free searchable database of more than 800 scholarships and awards for international students, most of which are restricted to use at specific universities

InternationalScholarships.com: Comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other financial aid information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad

InternationalStudent.com: Database of U.S. higher-education institutions awarding scholarships to international students

Organization of American States Leo S. Rowe Fund: This program provides loans of up to $15,000 USD for undergraduate students in their last two years of study or any graduate student; available for citizens of Latin American countries

NAFSA Financial Aid for Undergraduates: This resource provides information primarily for students with nonimmigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.); information for permanent residents of the United States also included

MyCollegeScholarship.org: Advice on how to apply for scholarships

U.S. Department of State—Education USA: Provides support to a network of educational advising/information centers around the world that advise prospective international students and other audiences on higher education and study opportunities in the United States

Foundations

Fellowship Office of Policy and Global Affairs: Administers pre-doctoral, dissertation, and postdoctoral fellowship programs in research-based fields of study

The Foundation Center: Fee-based website for institutional grant-seekers

Institute of International Education (IIE): Offers programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals, and trainees from all sectors, with funding provided by government agencies, foundations, and corporations

International Research and Exchanges Board: Offers various scholarships, fellowships, and grants to international students

MacArthur Foundation: Makes grants through four programs: Human and Community Development, Global Security and Sustainability, the General Program, and the MacArthur Fellows Program

Open Society Institute: Administers merit-based grants to international students

Rockefeller Foundation: Offers grants in four program areas: Food Security, Health Equity, Creativity and Culture, and Working Communities

Rotary Foundation: Offers a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational programs and activities designed to improve the human condition and advance the organization’s ultimate goal of world understanding and peace

Social Science Research Council Fellowship: Provides support and professional recognition to innovators within fields, and especially to younger researchers whose work and ideas will have a longer-term impact on society and scholarship.