State Grants

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Monetary Award Program (MAP)

ISAC Monetary Awards (MAP) are made to undergraduate students who meet Illinois residency requirements and who demonstrate financial need. A student may apply for and receive a MAP award annually for up to135 MAP units throughout the student's academic year. The MAP program is one of the most generous in the United States and every Illinois resident is urged to apply for this award. MAP payments are made directly to the College upon verification of enrollment and are credited directly to a student's tuition account. Additional information can be obtained at ISAC's website: www.collegezone.com.

MAP Deadlines

Continuing students* must have their FAFSA processed by the Department of Education before the published Illinois deadlines of August 15, 2005 and for new students*, September 30, 2005. These dates are subject to change; apply as soon after January 1, 2005 as possible. There is no separate application for MAP. Your federal application automatically files you for MAP consideration.
*A continuing student for MAP purposes is anyone who applied for financial aid during the 2004-2005 award year. New students did not apply for financial aid during the 2004-2005 award year.

MAP Funds Availability

Your 2005-2006 financial aid file must be complete and meet ISAC requirements prior to MAP funds being made available. MAP funds may cover eligible tuition and fee sonly and is never refundable to students. MAP funds are credited to student accounts once per semester (Fall and Spring); there are no MAP funds available for summer attendance.

MAP Funds Eligibility

MAP awards are based on State residence (you must be a resident of the State of Illinois; if dependent, your parent must be a resident), financial need and enrollment status. A student enrolled in twelve or more credit hours for the Fall or Spring Semester would receive the maximum award for which he or she was eligible for that semester. Enrolling in less than twelve credit hours would result in a partial MAP award for that semester or those semesters.
Availability of funds depends upon state funding of the MAP program.

Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access Grant

The Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program provides a grant up to $500, delivered in two disbursements of $250 to freshman students who have a zero (0) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated based on the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additional information can be obtained at ISAC's website: www.collegezone.com.

Other Illinois State Education Benefits

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