Monetary Award Program Plus (MAP Plus)

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Program Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
How Funds Are Disbursed
Award Amount

The Monetary Award Program Plus (MAP Plus) provides grants, which do not need to be repaid, for Illinois residents who do not receive a MAP grant and whose families' adjusted gross incomes are less than $200,000 in the applicable tax year. Recipients must be enrolled as sophomores, juniors or seniors at MAP-approved Illinois colleges. Recipients also must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who have already completed the 2006-07 FAFSA do not need to do anything further to be considered for a MAP Plus grant. Applicants are not required to submit high school grades or test scores when applying for MAP Plus.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• be an Illinois resident (If you are a dependent, the parent whose information is used on the FAFSA must be an Illinois resident)
• not be the recipient of a MAP grant for the term(s) for which you receive MAP Plus
• be a member of a family with an adjusted gross income of less than $200,000, as listed on the FAFSA, for the applicable tax year
• be enrolled at least half time as a sophomore, junior or senior at a MAP-approved Illinois college, in a degree or certificate program
• maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by your college
• not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.  If you are in default, you may re-establish your MAP Plus eligibility by:
  • repaying the debt in full;
  • making satisfactory payment arrangements with the holder of the loan(s);
  • rehabilitation of the defaulted loan(s); or
  • making payments on the defaulted loan(s) to make it eligible for consolidation.

• not have received a bachelor's degree
• comply with federal Selective Service registration requirements
• not be incarcerated.

How to Apply

To apply, you must complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, prior to the academic year that starts on or after July 1. Your eligibility for MAP Plus will be automatically determined if the MAP-approved Illinois college at which you plan to be enrolled is listed on your FAFSA.

Verification of eligibility, and announcement of an award amount (if any), is performed by the college.

How Funds Are Disbursed

ISAC works with the college to disburse funds for this program. The college certifies student eligibility and then submits a payment request on behalf of the student. It may take up to eight weeks after the date that ISAC processes the payment request before funds are received at the college. All MAP Plus awards will be paid directly to the college.

Depending on the college, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received. Qualified applicants who are awaiting receipt of funds from this program should contact the Financial Aid Office or Business Office to determine the college's policy.

Award Amount

The maximum MAP Plus grant available to a qualified applicant is $500 per school year, disbursed in two payments not to exceed $250 per term. The maximum award amount is dependent on available funding in any given year.

MAP Plus grants can be applied only toward tuition and mandatory fees. MAP Plus cannot be used for items such as books, travel or housing.

Click here to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).