Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Eligibility assumes full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours per semester). Students enrolled in less than 12 credit hours will have a reduced award amount for that semester.

The Pell Grant is available for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. (Please note – summer eligibility no longer requires minimum enrollment.)

• A fall/spring award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.
• A summer award will be added if you register for summer classes and you have met the eligibility criteria. Funding is limited to eligible educational expenses included in a student’s cost of attendance.

There are limitations to how long you can continue to receive the Pell Grant. Lifetime eligibility is limited to the equivalent of six years of full-time enrollment. Additional information available at Federal Student Aid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG is awarded to students with exceptional need. Students enrolled in less than 12 credit hours will have a reduced award amount.

Due to limited funding, preference is given to students who are registered for the fall semester and have completed financial aid requirements by May 15.

Illinois Monetary Award (MAP) Grant

Eligibility is determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 each year to meet state processing deadlines, which vary year to year.

Students enrolled in less than 15 credit hours will have a reduced award amount. (Minimum enrollment in at least 3 credit hours.) Funding does not apply to summer classes. Funding is limited to tuition only and does not apply to books, supplies, lab fees or other expenses.

By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.

The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the Financial Aid Office and is identified as a “State of IL MAP Grant (Est)”. Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.

There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of fulltime enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at studentportal.isac.org.

Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or child care for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the Financial Aid Office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or www.dhs.state.il.us. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163 or www.ilhunger.org.

Additional details available in the 2024-25 Monetary Award Program (MAP) Rights & Responsibilities.