Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant: A state-funded grant program for undergraduate students who meet Illinois residency requirements and demonstrate financial need. Award amounts are based on the number of enrolled credit hours each semester. MAP grants are limited based on the number of applicants and funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly; in light of state funding constraints, reductions to estimated or actual MAP grants are possible. The current maximum award amount is $8,064.
Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act and Alternative Application: The RISE Act is a state-funded grant that allows eligible undocumented students and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial aid to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a pathway for these qualified students to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. Instead of completing the FAFSA to begin the MAP application process, these students may be eligible to complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The data from the application will be used to calculate an Student Aid Index (SAI), which is used in determining a student's MAP eligibility. Award amounts are based on the number of enrolled credit hours each semester and the current maximum award amount is $8,064.
Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program: The Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program encourages academically talented students to pursue careers as teachers at eligible Illinois public preschool, elementary and secondary schools. Students may qualify for up to $7,500 per year. The scholarship may be received for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters of assistance. A student must sign an agreement promising to begin teaching within one year at an Illinois school district:
- that has a 3-year average teacher vacancy rate above the state average, or;
where the number of teacher vacancies in the district over the past three years is higher than that of the state - Recipients must teach one year for each year of scholarship assistance received and shall teach on a continuous basis for the required period of time.
If the teaching obligation is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan at a 5% interest rate and the entire amount received, prorated to the fraction of the teaching obligation not completed, must be repaid.
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program: A state-funded scholarship, administered by the Golden Apple Foundation. Students are nominated by teachers, counselors, principals or themselves. A teaching commitment is required, and, if not satisfied, the scholarship converts to a loan. Award amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on academic level.