Resources

• FAFSA: File your FAFSA electronically
• How to Complete the FAFSA
• Loan Payment Calculator  
• Master's student loan advisor  
• Doctoral student loan advisor  
• Direct Loan Servicing: specific information about your Direct Loans
• Federal Tax Benefits for Tuition and Fees: Information about the Hope Scholarship tax credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit, the tuition and fees tax deduction, and other IRS related information.
• Consumer Information about Illinois State University

Application Process

Eligibility requirements

If you are a new graduate student at Illinois State University, you must be accepted for admission before any financial aid will be offered.

You must also meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid.

Submit your applications

We encourage every student to apply for financial aid. Remember, you need to apply every year; the fact that you did or did not receive aid one year does not mean that the same will be true the next year.

• To be considered for federal, state, and institutional need-based financial aid programs, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA is available online each year starting January 1. You should file by March 1 to be considered for all aid types.
• You can apply for a U.S. Department of Education PIN before January 1 using the Federal Student Aid Pin Web site. Your PIN number allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA.
• Separate applications are required for assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships.

Review your award notice

If you return your FAFSA by the preferential filing date of March 1, your award notice will be mailed to you approximately mid- to late-April. If you submit your FAFSA after March 1, your award notice will be mailed to you as soon as possible.

Change in circumstances

If you or your family experiences a major change in your financial situation after you complete your FAFSA, we will review your situation. 

Special circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of job or reduction in income of parent or student (or spouse, if married)
• Loss or reduction of some type of untaxed income or benefit
• Separation, divorce, or death of one of the student’s parents or student’s spouse

If you feel you have circumstances that will affect your eligibility to receive aid, please contact graduate financial aid counselor Shawn Rigsby, (309) 438-2231.