System-wide Financial Aid Policy

Need-Based Aid

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education provides financial aid funds to institutions that are then responsible for awarding these funds to their students. These different funds are commonly referred to as campus-based aid and consist of the Federal Work-Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs. Each university in the University of Illinois System (hereafter referred to as “the U of I System”) also administers institutional need-based aid which includes scholarship funds as well as loan funds. In addition, the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford/Ford Loan program is available to provide need-based loans to students. Campus-based aid programs, need-based institutional aid and the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford/Ford Loan program require the student to have “financial need” as a condition of receiving awards from these programs. 

All undergraduate, graduate and professional students who wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the alternative application where applicable, and have the results sent to their respective university. The FAFSA is used to apply and be considered for campus-based aid (Federal Work-Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants) as well as institutional need-based grants and loans, and Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans. Students (and their families) are required to file a FAFSA to be considered for a Federal Direct Graduate and Parent PLUS Loan.

Need-based financial aid shall be awarded in a nondiscriminatory manner in accordance with applicable laws, including the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U of I System and universities within the U of I System do not consider race, color, national origin, or sex in determining eligibility for or awarding need-based aid. 

Merit-Based Aid

Universities within the U of I System provide merit-based aid at the campus and college level. Merit-based financial aid shall be awarded in a nondiscriminatory manner in accordance with applicable laws, including the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U of I System and universities within the U of I System do not consider race, color, national origin, or sex in determining eligibility for or awarding merit-based aid. 

Core Institutional Merit Aid Program

President’s Award Program