Merit Recognition Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and a resident of Illinois who ranks in the top 5% of their class at the end of the seventh semester. Applicant must attend an approved Illinois post-secondary institution as an undergraduate on at least a part-time basis, comply with Selective Service (draft) registration requirements, and claim the award within one year of high school graduation.

How to Apply

Apply directly through Illinois Student Assistance Commission's official application . Review the eligibility requirements above first, and give yourself time before the October 1, 2026 deadline.

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