Grants

Grants are financial aid that generally do not need to be paid back, as long as the student finishes each semester. 

Undergraduate students are generally eligible for three types of grants: federal grants, state grants, and institutional grants.

Federal Grants

Federal Grant funds are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the Student Aid Report (SAR). Most grants are only available to students who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Grant amounts are determined by the student’s cost of attendance, enrollment status, and EFC. Students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for federal grants.

  • Federal Pell Grant

    The Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who demonstrate financial need as determined by the information reported on the student’s FAFSA. The amount of the Pell Grant is determined by the student’s EFC and the number of hours for which the student is enrolled.

    The maximum award amount varies from year to year. The award amount may increase or decrease based on enrollment status and, if selected, a change to a student’s EFC as a result of verification.

    Pell Grant Duration of Eligibility
    Federal Pell Grant eligibility is limited to the equivalent of 12 semesters of full-time enrollment or its equivalent. Additional eligibility criteria and limitations will apply.

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
    The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is available to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Awards range from $500 to $1,000 per semester with a maximum award of $2,000 for the year. A student’s eligibility for this award may change as a result of based on his/her enrollment status.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)

    Undergraduate students whose parent or guardian died as a result of U.S. military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive an increase in their federal financial assistance if:

    • The student was 23 years of age or younger when the parent/guardian died, or
    • If the student was over age 23, s/he was enrolled in college at the time of the parent/guardian's death. 

    Eligible students are identified through a data-match with the Department of Defense when they complete their FAFSA. Identified students who have a Pell eligible EFC will be awarded the maximum Pell Grant award for the award year. Identified students who do not have a Pell eligible EFC will be awarded the IASG in the amount of the maximum Pell Grant award for the award year.

State Grant Funding Sources

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) funds are generally awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Illinois Grant Funds are only available to students who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree and are residents of Illinois (independent students) or whose parent(s) is a resident of Illinois (dependent students).

State Grant award amounts are determined by the student’s cost of attendance, enrollment status, and EFC. Students must meet the Standards of Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for state grants.

Certain students may qualify for assistance from state agencies such as the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Information about these benefits and funding availability may be obtained from the appropriate state agency. 

MAP Grant

The most common grant in the State of Illinois is the Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. For more information, visit our MAP Grant page. 

Academic Dates and Deadlines