Grants
A grant is a type of gift aid that does not require repayment. Each grant has different requirements for eligibility. Eligibility for need based grants is determined using federal and/or state formulas and the information the student provided on the FAFSA. You can use a financial aid calculator tool to get an idea of what grant eligibility you might have.
Our policy is intended to ensure that financial aid applicants have an equal base (equity level) of non-repayable resources. The equity level fluctuates by award year, depending on available funds and the total need of all financial aid applicants.
Below is a list of resources applied to equity level. If your resources fall below the established equity level for the awarding year, OSFA may offer need based scholarships and/or grants to make up the difference. When combined resources are equal to or greater than the equity level for the academic year, you are not eligible for additional equity funds.
Resources applied to equity level:
- Family contribution
- Federal Pell Grant
- ISAC MAP Grant
- Illinois Incentive for Access Grant (IIA)
- OSFA need based grants and scholarships
- Non-need based financial aid
After the FAFSA is filed, you are automatically considered for the following grants:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
- Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
Only Illinois Residents:
- ISAC Monetary Award Program (MAP) Award
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Education based on a standard eligibility formula established by Congress. The amount of the award is based on the Cost of Attendance (COA) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Pell Grants are awarded to both full and part-time undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. In some cases, a student may receive a Pell Grant for attending a post baccalaureate teacher certification program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with the lowest EFC and gives priority to students who receive the Federal Pell Grant.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
- The ACG is a federally funded grant.
- Need based
- Awarded only to Federal Pell Grant eligible applicants who are U.S. Citizens
- Entering freshmen who have completed a rigorous secondary school program, defined as a set of courses by the Secretary of Education; or have completed two Advanced Placement (AP) courses with a passing grade of 3 or higher; or two International Baccalaureate (IB) courses with a passing score of 4 or higher
- Sophomores who have completed a rigorous secondary school program, and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA during freshman year
- $750 for freshmen
- $1,300 for sophomores
- Must be enrolled full-time
- Potentially eligible students will be contacted by the U.S. Department of Education. Students will be directed to a Department of Education website to determine if they have completed a rigorous secondary school program.
- The amount of ACG, in combination with the Federal Pell Grant and other financial aid cannot exceed demonstrated financial need.
Eligible students will be notified. Click here for more information regarding eligibility.
Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant is a federally funded grant.
- Need based
- Awarded only to Federal Pell Grant eligible applicants, who are U.S. Citizens
- Juniors and seniors (total earned hours greater than or equal to 60 and less than 120)
- Eligible majors: physical, life or computer science; engineering; mathematics; technology; or a critical foreign language
- 3.0 GPA
- $4,000 each year
- Must be enrolled full-time
- The amount of SMART Grant in combination with Federal Pell Grant and other financial aid cannot exceed demonstrated financial need.
Eligible students will be notified. Click here for more information regarding eligibility.
Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant
Every student who reports Illinois as his or her state of legal residence on the FAFSA is automatically considered for the ISAC MAP Grant. MAP Grants are limited based on the number of applicants and funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.
To ensure full consideration for the MAP Grant, the FAFSA should be completed by the preferential filing date, March 15, for the year aid is being sought.
Other ISAC Grant Programs
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission administers several grants. Please visit collegezone.com to find information regarding these programs.
