Illinois and Federal Financial Aid Programs

The State of Illinois has many programs and services that deliver financial aid to students in Illinois. Below are some of the state financial aid programs available. Be sure to research your options before finalizing your financial aid path. Also, see the links below for more information about financial aid.

Scholarship Programs

• Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Program
• Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
• Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) Program (formerly the David A. DeBolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship Program) 
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
• Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program
• Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP)
• Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois (Illinois Scholars Program)
• General Assembly Scholarship
• MIA/POW Scholarship
• Department of Rehabilitation Services Education Benefits
• Medical Student Scholarship Program
• Nursing Education Scholarship Program
• Allied Health Care Professional Scholarship Program

Many other scholarships are available, as well. The Internet is a great resource for scholarship information and applications. The list below offers some  places to start. But remember to watch out for financial aid  scams.

• srnexpress.com/
• scholarships.com/
• fastaid.com
• petersons.com/finaid

Grants and Work-Study

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant 
• Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
• Federal Work-Study
• Monetary Award Program (MAP)
• Monetary Award Program Plus (MAP Plus) 
• Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program
• Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program
• Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program
• Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
• Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers
• Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG)
• Student to Student Program of Matching Grants
• Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program

Honors Program

• State Scholar Program

529 College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Programs

• College Illinois!
• Bright Start®,  (College Savings Plan) 

Loan Programs

• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Stafford Loan Program
• Federal PLUS Loan Program
• Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Federal Direct Loans)
• Alternative Loans

Loan Repayment/Forgiveness Programs

• Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Illinois Teachers and Child Care Providers Loan Repayment Program
• Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program
• Veterans' Home Nurse Loan Repayment Program

Also sponsored by the State of Illinois:

Illinois College Savings Bonds (College Savings Bonds are tax-exempt, zero-coupon bonds issued by the State of Illinois. They provide individual investors with long-term investments to help fund college expenses.)

More links for financial aid information:

• studentaid.ed.gov For information about financial assistance programs.
• ncaa.org For athletes interested in financial aid.
• finaid.org For information about financial aid.
• MappingYourFuture.org For information about paying for school.
• collegeboard.com To help you prepare for the cost of college.
• studentaid.ed.gov (The Student Guide) For information on financial aid and how to apply for it.
• act.org For help getting into college
• fastweb.com For help finding money for college.
• srnexpress.com To search over 8,000 scholarship programs.
• scholarships.com To search for scholarships and other forms of financial aid.
• fastaid.com To browse and learn about financial aid programs.
• petersons.com/finaid To browse and learn about financial aid programs.

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