Each year, as soon the application becomes available (typically October 1), students should apply for financial aid electronically using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is administered by the Department of Education and used to apply for financial assistance and analyze financial need. Financial need is defined as the difference between the Cost Of Attendance (COA) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The funds offered to a student for financing a college education should only be used for educational expenses (or the components included in the COA) which are tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses. The EFC results from the information provided on the FAFSA and is the figure used to determine eligibility for need-based aid programs. While financing a college education is the primary responsibility of the student and his/her family, financial assistance is made possible through gift and optional aid.
By submitting the FAFSA, your eligibility for the following programs will be considered at each Illinois Eastern Community College that has received your FAFSA.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal Work Study
- Federal Direct Loan
- State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP)
Certain eligibility requirements apply for each program. See the Student Financial Aid Handbook for more details.
******** IMPORTANT FAFSA DATES ********
2023-2024 Application (Complete for Fall 2023, Spring and Summer 2024)
Apply as soon as possible after: October 1, 2022
Priority 1 Deadline for Success Scholarships: October 28, 2022
FAFSA 2023-2024 opens: October 1, 2022
ISAC MAP Priority Date for Returning MAP Recipients: December 1, 2022
Institutional Deadline: June 28, 2024
2024- 2025 Application (Complete for Fall 2024, Spring and Summer 2025)
Apply as soon as possible after: October 1, 2023
Priority 1 Deadline for Success Scholarships: October 28, 2022
FAFSA 2024-2025 opens: TENTATIVE OPENING DECEMBER 2023
ISAC MAP Priority Date for Returning MAP Recipients: TBD
ISAC MAP Suspense Date: TBD
Institutional Deadline: June 28, 2025
Follow these steps to complete your FAFSA - be sure to use IECC's Federal School Code, 001742 (Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney), in the School Selection tab.
Create an FSA ID for the student (and at least one parent for dependent students) here.
This will be the username and password that allows you access to electronically sign and submit the FAFSA, student loan information, and financial aid history. Students (and parents) will need their Social Security Number and an e-mail address that they will always have access to in order to complete the process.
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Gather the necessary documents below for the student and, if dependent, for the student's parent(s) to complete the FAFSA.
- Student Driver’s License (if s/he has one)
- Federal Tax Information for the appropriate tax year to include Tax Returns and/or W-2 information
- Records of untaxed income for the appropriate tax year received such as child support, interest income, and veterans non-education benefits
- Current information on cash, savings and checking account balances, investments (non-retirement), and business or farm assets
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Start and submit your application here OR in the myStudentAid mobile app available on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Remember, use 001742 for the Federal School Code.
- Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA for Fall 2022, Spring and Summer 2023
- Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA for Fall 2023, Spring and Summer 2024
Sign and Submit using your FSA ID.
If you are a dependent student, one of your parents must also sign your FAFSA with their FSA ID.
If you need additional guidance, help is available via these links or from the Financial Aid Offices:
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
For Illinois residents that may not be otherwise eligible for federal student aid and do not file the FAFSA, you may be eligible to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant using the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. For more information about this program, click here. Access the application here.