 |
 |
|
| GUIDANCE HOME | CONTACT |
| FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is needed by
most students to gain the funds needed to further their
education at the college level. Financial aid is money
that the state and national government provides to
students based on financial need. Students must apply
for financial aid by completing the online FAFSA form in
order to receive it.
Starting in 2021, the State of Illinois made completing the FAFSA or the FAFSA Non-Participation Form a graduation requirement. Links to both options are below.
Colleges use the information they collect from a student's FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid a student receives. A student fills out this one form that all of the colleges a student applies to can use to decide the dollar amount a student gets if they attend their college. Completing the FAFSA form and getting a financial aid package decision from a college can be done before a student has to make a final decision on which college they are going to so that the student and their family can have a real dollar amount to use in their decision making. Students can complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (The 2024-25 FAFSA was delayed until late December due to revisions on the form). It is best that students apply as close to October 1 as possible as some funding is first come first serve and as a result some sources of money will run out.
FAFSA
NON-PARTICIPATION FORM - Use this link to
complete the FAFSA Non-Participation Form to meet the
State of Illinois graduation requirement if you elect
not to complete the FAFSA.
FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION Parkland College and ISAC created a 40 minute video presentation to explain the financial aid process.
NEED HELP WITH THE FAFSA? There is help if you have financial aid questions or if you need help filling out the FAFSA. Just call or email your college Financial Aid office. Every college has a staff of training financial aid personnel available to assist you. Students and parents can also get help by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center. They have the option of helping through live chat, email, or phone. 1-800-433-3243
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) ISAC is the organization responsible for financial aid in Illinois. ISAC's website is the most trusted site for accurate and up-to-date financial aid information. FinAid FinAid is a national site that is considered the top financial aid resource.
COLLEGE SAVING PLANS While there are many college savings plans, these are the ones that Illinois offers. These college savings plans are often referred to as 529 plans as they have tax benefits versus a traditional bank account. BRIGHT START Bright Start is an Illinois college savings plan that has some tax benefits. COLLEGE ILLINOIS College Illinois is Illinois' 529 prepaid tuition program allows families to purchase a savings plan at today's college rate to pay for future college expenses. COLLEGE SAVINGS BONDS Illinois sells tax-exempt college savings bonds as a way for families to save money for future college expenses. |
