Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office staff is committed to helping you identify your options for paying for college as well as guiding you through the process.

First, we would like to start by giving you a guide to the financial aid process. This helpful checklist will lay out each step you need to take to apply for financial aid. It includes deadlines you need to be aware of and the most important information — simplified.  Click here for a list of important dates.

Next, we have important information you need to be aware of. We will keep you updated on any new developments or requirements for each year’s financial aid.

• 2023-2024 FAFSA is available beginning October 1, 2022 for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024. The DRT is available to import your 2021 taxes for 2023-24. Using the DRT and not changing any of the information will result in faster review and less documentation to submit to our office.
• NOTE: Due to changes passed by the FAFSA Simplification Act, the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year will not be available until December 2023. Once an exact date is announced, the Financial Aid Office will share the information. If you wish to see how the FAFSA simplification changes impact your eligibility, you can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to calculate your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and eligibility. To learn more about the changes, see our FAFSA Simplification Updates. 
• Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is available for Illinois residents who are unable to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA due to being an undocumented or transgendered individual.
• Effective July 1, 2021: Any ISIR received on or after July 1, 2021, is not required to provide documentation to clear Comment Codes related to Selective Service or Drug Offenses. These will be waived by the Financial Aid Office and not negatively impact the student’s ability to receive financial aid.

Now you’re ready to apply for financial aid. Start your FAFSA and get our tips here. 

Apply for Financial Aid