StudyDesk Scholarships
About this opportunity
The University of Chicago does not run a single "2027 scholarship" with one form and one deadline. Instead, undergraduate funding flows through two channels: need-based financial aid and merit scholarships, both decided alongside the admission application for fall 2027 entry.
The need-based route is the main one. UChicago meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students with grants rather than loans, so an aid package contains no debt. In May 2026 the university went further, announcing that from Autumn 2027 students from families earning under $250,000 a year (with typical assets) will pay no tuition, while those from families under $125,000 will also have housing, meals and university fees covered.
Alongside aid, UChicago offers merit scholarships — most of them automatic. Every first-year applicant is considered without a separate application; awards start at $2,000 and can run for four years of study or fund summer opportunities. Only winners are notified, on a rolling basis through the end of April.
Eligibility
- Level: first-year undergraduate applicants entering UChicago's College in fall 2027; all nationalities may apply.
- Need-based aid: awarded on demonstrated financial need. International students are eligible but admission is need-aware, and aid must be requested during the admission process — a student admitted without aid cannot claim it in a later year.
- Free-tuition guarantee (Autumn 2027 onwards): family income under $250,000 with typical assets for tuition; under $125,000 for tuition plus housing, meals and fees. The guarantee previously sat at $125,000 for tuition and $60,000 for full cost.
- Merit scholarships: decided by an admissions committee on academic achievement, leadership and community commitment, without regard to financial need. Transfer students are not eligible for merit awards.
- First Phoenix Scholarship: for students first in their family to attend college — a minimum of $20,000 across four years, automatic consideration.
- Odyssey Scholarship Program: enhanced support for students from under-resourced families and first-generation students, including grants instead of loans, study-abroad funding, a paid summer internship opportunity and paid student health insurance.
- Admission: UChicago is test-optional under its "No Harm" policy; non-native English speakers demonstrate proficiency (e.g. TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS Academic 7.0 or Duolingo 135).
Benefits
- Full demonstrated need met through grants — no loans in any aid package.
- Free tuition for families under $250,000 (Autumn 2027 onwards); full cost of attendance for families under $125,000.
- Odyssey Scholars receive grant-based aid, study-abroad funding, a paid first-summer internship opportunity, career mentorship and health insurance paid by Odyssey funds.
- Merit awards starting at $2,000, renewable for four years of undergraduate study or usable for summer research and internship funding; the First Phoenix Scholarship guarantees at least $20,000 over four years.
- Named scholarships exist for specific groups, including the Neubauer Family Adelante Program, the National Police and Fire Scholarship, Chicago Public Schools awards and the Evans Scholarship.
Documents required
A standalone scholarship document checklist is not published in the official notification; funding is assessed through the admission and financial-aid applications. International aid applicants complete the UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet through their UChicago Account (the CSS Profile and FAFSA are not used for international applicants), and all applicants submit the standard admission materials with their chosen application platform.
How to apply
- Apply for admission for fall 2027 entry through the Common Application, Coalition Application or UChicago's own application, selecting an admission plan (Early Decision I, Early Action, Early Decision II or Regular Decision).
- Request financial aid with your application. Indicate your intent to apply for aid at the same time you apply — international students who do not request aid at this stage cannot receive it later.
- Complete the UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet through your UChicago Account if you are an international (non-US citizen/permanent resident) aid applicant; US applicants complete the FAFSA.
- Submit proof of family income and assets as instructed in your applicant portal (translated tax documents or employer/bank evidence where applicable).
- Merit consideration is automatic. No separate merit application exists for first-year applicants; scholarship winners are notified on a rolling basis through the end of April.
- Meet your plan's deadline: 2 November 2026 for ED I / Early Action; 4 January 2027 for ED II / Regular Decision.
FAQs
UChicago meets full demonstrated need for admitted students — including international students — with grants and no loans, which can amount to a full award. But admission is need-aware for international applicants, and you must request aid when you apply; you cannot add it later.
Announced in May 2026, from Autumn 2027 UChicago guarantees free tuition for undergraduates from families earning under $250,000 with typical assets, and covers tuition, housing, meals and fees for families under $125,000.
No. Every first-year applicant is automatically considered for all available merit scholarships through the admission application. Transfer students are not eligible for merit awards.
Odyssey is UChicago’s enhanced aid programme for students from under-resourced families and first-generation students: grants instead of loans, study-abroad and paid-internship funding, career mentorship and paid student health insurance.
For fall 2027: Early Decision I and Early Action close 2 November 2026; Early Decision II and Regular Decision close 4 January 2027. Financial-aid consideration follows the same plan you apply under.
International applicants do not submit the CSS Profile or FAFSA — they complete the UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet in their UChicago Account. US applicants use the FAFSA.
Verified 17 Oct 2026 via official UChicago admissions scholarships page (merit from $2,000, automatic first-year consideration, First Phoenix $20k minimum, Odyssey grant-based support, health insurance, paid internship; winners notified through April) + Chicago Maroon reporting of the 13 May 2026 announcement (free tuition under $250k from Autumn 2027; full cost under $125k; prior thresholds $125k/$60k since 2018; ~$225m annual aid) + international-aid guides (need-aware; aid must be requested at admission; Financial Aid Worksheet not CSS Profile/FAFSA for international applicants) + multiple deadline sources (ED I/EA 2 Nov 2026; ED II/RD 4 Jan 2027 for fall 2027 entry)
