2010-2011 New Undergraduate Estimated Expenses
| Tuition and fees* |
$11,182 |
| Room and meal plan (multiple occupancy, 5-day unlimited meal plan) |
$8,473 |
| Total institutional expenses |
$19,655 |
| Estimated additional personal expenses: |
| Books and supplies |
$1,132 |
| Miscellaneous** |
$3,580 |
| Estimated cost of attendance (in-state) |
$24,367 |
** The miscellaneous category represents the average amount students spend during an academic year on incidentals such as transportation, clothing, personal items, and recreation. It is included only to remind students to budget for those items, and is not an expense payable to Illinois State.
All expenses are estimates, based on a courseload of 30 hours. Actual tuition and fees may vary.
Newly Admitted Students
You’ve found the right school. You feel at home on the campus and you like the students and professors you’ve met. You've been accepted into a program you're passionate about and figured out how to go after your dreams. Then reality hits. How are you going to pay for it?
That’s where the Illinois State University Financial Aid Office comes in. We can help you identify options to pay for college. We are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in our office, 231 Fell Hall. You can also call us at (309) 438-2231, or email financialaid@IllinoisState.edu.
Follow this timeline to make sure you're staying on track.
January
- Check in with your guidance counselor. They often know about the scholarships available only to students in your school, town, or county which are often easier to get because the applicant pool is typically smaller.
- Appy for other scholarships. Ask your family if any clubs or civic, social, or religious organizations they belong to offer scholarships. Online scholarship searches can also help you identify opportunities, but beware of web sites that charge a fee for scholarship search services. Our scholarship Web site can help you find scholarships available to Illinois State students.
February
- File your
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online each year starting January 1. Complete yours by March 1, our preferential filing date, to be considered for all aid types.
- Review your FAFSA data. If you included an email address on your FAFSA, you’ll receive an email response within two weeks from the FAFSA processing agency. This response will include a link to your FAFSA data. Look over this information carefully and make any necessary corrections.
March
- Submit additional information. You may receive a request for more information from the Financial Aid Office. Please respond with the requested documentation as soon as possible.
April
May
- Submit your enrollment deposit. This $150, non-refundable deposit reserves your place in the freshman class.
- Start saving money for textbooks. You should budget about $1,000 a year for books and supplies.
June
- Attend Preview. If you have financial aid questions, speak to a Financial Aid Office representative at the Preview EXPO or visit the Financial Aid Office (231 Fell).
- Confirm your financial aid paperwork is complete. After attending Preview, students can do this using iCampus.
- Create an estimated budget for the year. Be realistic about your income and expenses. Learn more about money management.
July
- You will receive a bill from Student Accounts. If you do not pay your balance in full, you will automatically be billed in four monthly installments. You will be charged a separate installment fee for housing and for tuition and fees. Call Student Accounts at (309) 438-5643 with any billing questions.
- If you plan to work on campus, start applying for student jobs through the ISU Job Site.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office of any scholarships you receive that are not listed on your award notice by faxing your scholarship award letter(s) to (309) 438-3755.
August
- You will receive a refund for any overpayments the Friday before fall classes begin. Call Student Accounts at (309) 438-5643 with any refund-related questions.
October, November, December, and Beyond
- Many scholarship applications become available during this time. Search for scholarships, gather necessary documentation and letters of recommendation for scholarship applications, and create a calendar of upcoming scholarship deadlines. Complete and submit your applications before the deadlines.
