Grants lower tuition costs with no repayment necessary
The following grants are awarded by the federal and state governments based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) derived from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants are need-based awards in that higher grant awards go to students with lower SAI's. Grants typically do not need to be repaid; except in cases of unearned financial aid due to course or institutional withdrawal.
Award Year
The award year for financial aid includes three sessions: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students will need to renew their FAFSA submissions annually.
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are for students who have not earned a bachelor's degree and are based on financial need. FAFSA data will be used to determine a Scheduled Pell Grant (the maximum eligibility for a full-time student, based on full year enrollment) in one of three ways:
Each calculation is prescribed by the FAFSA Simplification Act (Act) was enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. The Act further amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and impacts the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Parent not required to file federal income tax return, or
Single parent and has adjusted gross income (AGI) greater than 0 and less than or equal to 225% of poverty guideline for family size and state of residence, or
Parent NOT single parent and has adjusted gross income (AGI) greater than 0 and less than or equal to 175% of poverty guideline for family size and state of residence
Student (and spouse) not required to file federal income tax return, or
Student is single parent and has adjusted gross income (AGI) greater than 0 and less than or equal to 225% of poverty guideline for family size and state of residence, or
Student NOT single parent and has adjusted gross income (AGI) greater than 0 and less than or equal to 175% of poverty guideline for family size and state of residence
Calculated Scheduled Pell Criteria
Students who are not eligible for an automatic Maximum Pell Grant may be eligible for a Calculated Scheduled Pell Grant
Published Maximum Pell Grantminus Student Aid Index (SAI) = Calculated Scheduled Pell Grant (rounded to the nearest $5)
Student's parent is a single parent and has adjusted gross income (AGI) less than or equal to 325% of the poverty guideline for family size and state of residence, or
Student's parent is NOT a single parent and has an adjusted gross income (AGI) less than or equal to 275% of the poverty guideline for family size and state of residence
Student is a single parent, and the adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than or equal to 400% of the poverty guideline for family size and state of residence, or
Student is a parent and is NOT a single parent, and has an adjusted gross income (AGI) less than or equal to 350% of the poverty guideline for family size and state of residence, or
Student is not a parent, and the student's (and spouse's if applicable) adjusted gross income is less than or equal to 275% of the poverty guideline for family size and state of residence.
Other Important Pell Grant Changes
Pell Grant Annual Awards and disbursement amounts will now be calculated using “Enrollment Intensity” (a percentage value) rather than enrollment status (e.g., half-time or full-time).
Effective Summer 2025, the former requirement of part-time enrollment (six-credit hours) for Summer Pell is eliminated.
Students will need to complete and submit a 2024-2025 FAFSA to determine Pell Grant eligibilty and award amounts.
Federal SEOG Grant
Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant(SEOG) — Students must be Pell Grant eligible and have zero Student Aid Index (SAI). Grants are $600 for students taking 12 credit hours. Grants are pro-rated for less than 12 credits and students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours. SEOG is awarded by term in FAFSA application date received order until the funds are exhausted.
Summer Eligibility If funds are remaining from fall/spring, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant for summer is usually awarded to students who did not receive it for fall and spring.
State of Illinois Grants
Monetary Award Program (MAP) — The MAP program requires Illinois residency and is based on financial need. The maximum grants vary year to year and are based on 15 credit hours of attendance. Grants are reduced for less than 15 credit hours down to the minimum enrollment of three credit hours. Students are awarded the grant based on application filing date of the FAFSA or Illinois Alternative application. An application suspense date is established each year by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission based on application volume compared to available funds.
