State Councils Scholarship Challenge Grants
CIC's State Councils Scholarship Challenge Grants support independent colleges in raising matched funds to provide scholarships and boost student retention among second-year and above students at liberal arts institutions.
Funder: Council of Independent Colleges
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$25,000 per grant; 1:1 matching required; funds distributed as student aid
Summary: Supports State Councils in raising matching funds to provide increased scholarship aid and improve student retention at independent colleges and universities.
Description
The State Councils Scholarship Challenge Grants, offered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), are designed to help CIC State Councils secure additional scholarship funds for students at independent colleges and universities. Through a challenge grant mechanism, State Councils receive $10,000–$25,000 grants that must be matched dollar-for-dollar with new cash gifts or grants from outside sources. The combined funds are distributed as student financial aid to member colleges, targeting students of second-year status or higher at four-year liberal arts institutions. The program’s primary goals are to maximize the impact of scholarship funding, improve student retention beyond the first year, and broaden the donor base for scholarships.
