Depending on your family’s financial situation, paying for tuition and fees may not be easy, but Illinois State can help you find ways to make it work. Read just a couple examples of how these students found ways to make the best possible investment in their future.
What can you expect to pay for a college education?
Net Price Calculator
Emma is a high school senior who plans to study business. Her parents are married. Their combined income is around $80,000 per year and their investments are worth about $48,000. Emma's parents contributed to a College Illinois 529 plan which Emma will use to cover the costs of her tuition and fees. Still, Emma plans to borrow $5,500 per year in Direct Loans to pay for her room and board.
Robert is a freshman biochemistry/molecular biology major from Aurora, IL who intends to go to medical school after he graduates from Illinois State. Robert's mother is single and has an AGI of $16,500 per year. His academic achievements helped him earn a few small scholarships. He also qualifies for several need-based grants including the Federal Pell grant, the State of Illinois MAP grant, and the ISU Access Grant. He borrows the rest of the money he needs for school from the federal Direct Loan program. Robert was also eligible for an additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan because his mother could not be approved for a PLUS loan.
Laura is a sophomore television production major whose family's income is around $85,000 per year. Her parents are married and she has one sister. She lives in Missouri, but qualifies for in-state tuition rates because she is from a state that borders Illinois. Laura received a $2,000 per year scholarship from a private donor through her high school. Her family makes payments of about $2,000 each year on the installment plan. Her parents also borrowed about $9,000 under the federal Direct PLUS Loan program. Laura borrows the remaining funds for her education and room and board through the federal Direct Loan program. She plans to get a job after she graduates to start paying back her loans quickly.
Jake is transferring to Illinois State after receiving his associate's degree from a community college. He is a veteran who is married and has two children. He works full-time earning about $28,000 per year. His wife is also currently attending college and she does not work outside the home. Jake uses his Illinois Veteran Grant to cover his tuition and most of his fees. Additionally, he qualifies for a Pell grant, so he does not need student loans.
Caitlyn is a senior sociology major who works part-time on campus, and also has a full-time summer job. Her parents are deceased, so she's considered independent for FAFSA purposes. She qualifies for many need-based grants, including Pell, MAP, SEOG, and ISU Access. She also received a few small scholarships.
Gunjan is a graduate international student from India coming to Illinois State University to study business. Gunjan’s academic achievements helped him earn a few small scholarships, and his parents have saved money for Gunjan’s education since he was young. His father is his sponsor on his Declaration of Finances form, which is required by Illinois State’s Office of Admissions. As a student coming to ISU on an F-1 visa, Gunjan is allowed to work up to 20 hours on-campus per week. His family does not anticipate they will need to borrow for his education.
