There are two basic types of financial aid: gift aid and self-help aid.
Gift Aid
Is assistance you receive that does not have to be repaid such as scholarships and grants.
Federal Programs
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application
PELL Grant
Eligibility for this program is based on financial need. The program provides funds to undergraduate students for college costs, like tuition and fees, room and board, and living expenses. The financial aid administrator will determine your Pell Grant Award.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This grant is available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are enrolled at least half-time.
Academic Competitiveness Grant
Full-time, degree-seeking students who receive Pell and who have passed 2 Advanced Placement tests or have a rigorous course of high school study (4 years English, 3 years Science, 3 years Math, 3 years Social Studies and 1 year of a foreign language) may be eligible for this grant. Only students who graduated high school after 01/01/05 are eligible.
State Programs
Illinois Student Assistance Commission College Zone Grant Site
Monetary Award Program (MAP)
This program provides need-based grants for payment of tuition and mandatory fees. You must be a resident of Illinois and be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours at an Illinois college or university in a degree or certificate program.
Monetary Award Program Plus (MAP Plus)
This grant is for sophomores ineligible for the MAP grant due to higher family income or use of MAP paid credit hours beyond 75. The family’s adjusted gross income must be less than $200,000 as reported on the FAFSA. This program provides need-based grants for payment of tuition and mandatory fees. You must be a resident of Illinois and be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at an Illinois college or university in a degree or certificate program.
Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access Grant (IIA)
This is a one-time award for freshman students who, based on federal need calculation, have been determined to have no family resources and are enrolled in at least half-time at an Illinois college or university in a degree or certificate program.
Illinois National Guard Grant Program (ING)
Members of the Illinois National Guard are eligible to receive a grant that is not based on financial need. This grant will pay for tuition and some fees for students studying at Illinois public colleges, universities and community colleges. There is no minimum enrollment requirement. Students must apply each year by the deadline.
Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)
Pays tuition and approved fees to qualified Illinois veterans with at least one year of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and who served honorably. Veterans must have resided in Illinois six months prior to entering the service and must have returned to Illinois within six months of leaving the service.
Other Illinois Scholarships
Self-Help Aid
Includes work opportunities and loans. It's called self-help because you take responsibility for receiving this type of aid. Work-Study allows you to earn money while you are in college. Student loans assist students with educational expenses while in college.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Eligibility for this program is based on financial need. The program provides on- and off-campus jobs for undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time. Eligible students earn the federal minimum wage.
Interested students should inquire in the Financial Aid Office and complete student worker applications in the Student Services Center.
Federal Stafford Loan
Interested students should inquire about applying for loans in the Financial Aid Office. Loan entrance counseling and Loan Exit Counseling are required.
There are two types of loans - Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Eligibility for subsidized loans is based on financial need. For subsidized loans, the federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half-time, during your grace period, and during authorized deferment periods.
With unsubsidized loans, you are always responsible for paying the interest. Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need and can be used if you are enrolled at least half-time and you have limited or no subsidized loan eligibility.
