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Apply for Aid

About FAFSA

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 Student Aid Index (SAI). 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 SAI 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

 

 


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.

Alternative Application for financial aid