MAP Grant Information
The Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides assistance to eligible students demonstrating financial need. MAP grants are available to undergraduate independent students who are Illinois residents and dependent students whose parent(s) are Illinois residents. By applying for financial aid through the FAFSA and agreeing to share that information with ISAC, students are considered for the State of Illinois MAP Grant.
Undocumented students who meet Illinois residency criteria are also encouraged to apply for the MAP Grant by completing the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. This application can also be completed by transgender students who have been denied federal financial aid.
If you have met eligibility criteria, you will have “St. of IL MAP Grant Est.” on your Award Letter. If this is not listed on your Award Letter, you are not currently eligible for the grant.
MAP Grant Details
Funding and Availability
MAP Grants are limited based on the number of applicants and funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly, and priority consideration is determined annually. Please be aware that in light of state funding constraints, reductions to estimated or actual MAP grants are possible.
Deadlines
In order to be considered for MAP eligibility for the upcoming award year, you are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as close to October 1 of each year as possible. There is no separate application for MAP; your FAFSA application automatically serves as an application for MAP consideration. The MAP Grant is a state-funded financial aid program that is subject to annual state appropriation.
For undocumented students and transgender students who have been denied federal financial aid, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid serves as your MAP Grant application.
Amounts
The amount of your estimated MAP award is determined by ISAC based on your Illinois residency (for independent students) or parents’ Illinois residency (for dependent students), your financial need and enrollment status. Estimated award amounts may also be increased or decreased depending on the outcome of Verification. There is a yearly cap to MAP Grant awards. Changes to individual award amount estimates will be sent to your student email and can be viewed on your MyColumbia portal.
Eligibility for a MAP Grant is also determined by the equivalent number of semester credit hours of MAP benefits paid on your behalf. These are called MAP Paid Credit Hours. Payment for each term is made according to the equivalent number of credit hours eligible for MAP payment with a minimum of 3 credit hours and a maximum of 15 credit hours. The maximum number of MAP Paid Credit Hours that can be received is capped at 135.
Disbursement
If funding is approved by the State of Illinois and you meet all eligibility criteria, you can expect your MAP Grant to disburse at approximately week 6 of the semester. MAP Grant funds are credited to a student’s account once per semester (Fall and Spring); there are no MAP funds available for summer attendance.
Additional information about the MAP program can be found on the ISAC website at ISAC.org.
Read the MAP Grant Disclaimer information here.
