Grants
Grants are gift assistance which means they do not have to be repaid. You will automatically be considered for need-based federal, state, and University grants when you submit your FAFSA.
The results of your FAFSA determines if you’re eligible for most grants, but others are available for students who have served in the military or are serving in the Illinois National Guard or those who plan to enter a high-demand teaching field.
ISU's preferred filing deadline is November 15th
Financial Need
Your financial need is determined by the results of your FAFSA. For best consideration for need-based grants, file your FAFSA by the preferred filing date. Check your status and submit required documents at My.IllinoisState.edu.
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Pell Grant
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A federal grant for students with significant financial need
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Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
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A federal grant to increase aid for very high need students
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Monetary Award Program (MAP)
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A State of Illinois grant for Illinois residents with demonstrated financial need
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Illinois State University Access Grant
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An institutional grant to increase aid for the highest need students. Access Grants will only be awarded if a students is enrolled full-time and is applied to tuition and fees only. An Access Grant combined with another tuition and fees specific award cannot exceed the amount of tuition and fees a student is charged. A portion of the Access Grant may be funded by the AIM High Grant Program.
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Career Link
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A State of Illinois program that assists low-income individuals and dislocated workers. Eligible students must have at least junior standing and be enrolled in certain career-oriented programs such as business, construction management, health information management, and several others. You are not automatically considered for Career Link when you file your FAFSA.
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Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program
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The Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program provides grants to students who attend Illinois colleges for which the special collegiate license plates are available.
Military Service
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Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant
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For active members of the Illinois National Guard (Army or Air) to cover tuition and some fees
Apply online -
Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)
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For honorably discharged veterans who meet certain service requirements and lived in Illinois for at least six months before entering the service and returned to Illinois within six months of military discharge
Apply Online
For Dependents
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MIA/POW Scholarship
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For the dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities, or died as a result of a service connected disabilities
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Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
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For the spouse or child of an Illinois police or fire officer who was killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty
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Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers
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For the spouse or child of an Illinois correctional officer who was killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty
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Teacher Education Programs
These programs are gift aid that do not require the recipient to have financial need; however, repayment is required if the recipient does not complete the required teaching obligation.
This video was presented to the Future Teachers Conference in November 2020.
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Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
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A federal program for highly qualified teachers who plan to teach in a high-need field in a low-income area
In order to receive the TEACH Grant, you must complete both your FAFSA and Illinois State University's TEACH Grant application.
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Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW)
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A state program for students who plan to teach special education in Illinois
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Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
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A state program for underrepresented students who plan to teach in an Illinois school with at least 30% minority enrollment
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Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois
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A partnership between the Golden Apple foundation and the state of Illinois which provides awards for students with the promise and drive to be excellent teachers in high-need schools
Learn more