Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois
Golden Apple Foundation / Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
State-funded tuition help (up to $2,500 a year early on, $5,000 later) plus teacher training for future teachers who commit to 5 years in an Illinois school of need.
- How much
- up to $2,500/yr (years 1–2) and up to $5,000/yr (years 3–5) in state tuition assistance; Golden Apple cites up to $23,000 total
- Who qualifies
- Selected as a Golden Apple Scholar by the Golden Apple Foundation
- Illinois high school seniors (class of 2027), freshmen or sophomores at Golden Apple partner universities, or Illinois community college students. Illinois resident (dependents: parent too); attend a partner four-year university; in a teacher licensure program; 2.5 cumulative GPA from sophomore year on; attend Golden Apple summer institutes; teach 5 years in an Illinois school of need.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- For education, teaching students
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- When to apply
- Open now · due December 1, 2026 Annual for the next class: priority deadline December 1, final deadline March 1 (current cycle: 12/1/26 and 3/1/27).
- How to apply
- Apply to the Golden Apple Scholars Program in Illinois at goldenapple.org (online application, references, personal statements, unofficial transcript, interview
- ACT/SAT optional)
- Once named a Scholar, you sign the program agreement and promissory note, and Golden Apple certifies you to ISAC
- What you'll need
- essay + recommendation + transcript + interview
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (isac.org) and page 2
The details
The Golden Apple Foundation selects Scholars; ISAC pays the state tuition assistance: up to $2,500 in the first or second year as a Scholar and up to $5,000 in the third, fourth or fifth year (tuition, fees, room and board or commuter allowance), for up to the equivalent of four academic years, minus any MAP grant. Golden Apple describes the total package as up to $23,000 including paid professional development, plus summer institutes, mentoring and job placement help. Scholars must teach full-time for five years in an Illinois school of need, starting within two years of finishing, or the award becomes a loan with interest. Can't be combined in the same term with SETTW or Teachers of Illinois aid.
More money from Illinois
- Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grantup to $8,400 per year (tuition and mandatory fees only)
- AIM HIGH Grant Programvaries by university
- Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Programvaries; tuition and mandatory fees only
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.