Starting with the Class of 2021, the FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is an Illinois high school graduation requirement (IL Public Act 101-0180)!
Information for the Class of 2027 is still being updated. Please keep checking back closer to October 1st.
Financial aid consists of scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. Scholarships and grants are called "gift aid," which means they do not need to be paid back. Depending on the scholarship or grant certain criteria must be met and maintained. Work study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need. Loans are money borrowed that must be paid back with interest.
Check out this comprehensive 2026-27 Financial Aid Tips Guide for a great overview of how financial aid works, submitting the FAFSA, and more!
Looking specifically for scholarships? See our Scholarship menu!
Want a quick overview of the FAFSA and CSS Profile? See Big J's Very Brief Guide to the FAFSA and CSS Profile
What is a Net Price Calculator?
Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
Use this tool that will take you directly to a college’s Net Price Calculator
PLEASE NOTE: With recent changes to the FAFSA, including the Pell Grant formula and elimination of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation, there is no guarantee the results of a college's Net Price Calculator will be honored. Make sure to reach out to the college's Financial Aid Office for the most updated policy and infortmation.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
With the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool, students can find out how much federal student aid they may be eligible for in the 2025–26 award year.
Colleges that "Meet Need"
Colleges Meeting 100% of the Student’s Financial Need: A college or university that promises to make sure every penny of an accepted student's demonstrated financial need is covered through grants, work-study, scholarship, and in some cases, federal student loans.
Some colleges meet 100% of student’s financial need for undocumented students.
For more information on paying for college, please see the "Paying for College" menu of the JHHS Postsecondary Planning Guide.
Before getting started, gather these items you will need to fill out the 2026-27 FAFSA/Alt. App (English & Spanish PDF)
STEP 1: Create an FSA ID. An FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Students and their parent(s) - called Contributor(s) - must create an FSA ID once that will then be used to sign the FAFSA each year. Students and Contributor(s) should create their FSA ID, and have it verified (takes 1-3 days), before the FAFSA is started!
STEP 1.A: Learn how to make your FSA ID.
Watch this 7.5 minute, step-by-step video on how to create your FSA ID (Students & Contributors) on how to create your FSA ID (Students & Contributors). (Video courtesy of Ms. Heaton at GBS).
STEP 1.B: Click here to create an FSA ID
Review this instruction sheet on making your FSA ID (Students and Parents (who have a Social Security Number (SSN))
Other FAQs/Resources:
STEP 2: Complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the main form that students submit to be considered for federal financial aid (grants, loans, work study). In Illinois it is also used to determine MAP Grant eligibility. Students fill out the FAFSA after October 1 during their senior year typically.
Students must reapply after October 1 every year to be considered for financial aid for the following school year.
Note: the student must be a citizen or permanent resident to submit a FAFSA but can file the Alternate Application for Illinois Financial Aid if ineligible to submit a FAFSA.
If (and only if) you are not eligible to submit a FAFSA, you can submit an Alternate Application for Illinois Financial Aid
This application requires similar information as the FAFSA (see FAFSA packets for materials to gather)
You would only have the possibility of qualifying for aid to use at colleges in Illinois
ISAC: Book a one-on-one appointment with Hersey’s representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), Jashua Ethithara.
You can contact Jashua at: Jashua.Ethithara@illinois.gov or 847-789-1748. (English support.)
¿Necesitas ayuda en español? Silvia Campagna, silvia.campagna@illinois.gov, 847-894-2623.
ISAC also has a page that allows families to book meetings with reps that are which can be a convenient choice for on-demand need at: isac.org/cita (Select Jashua for English or Silvia for Spanish)
Jashua will take appointments AT Hersey during lunch periods for students and/or parents on Fridays starting October 16th through November 13th. More info coming soon!
Mr. Chiakulas: Please let Mr. Chiakulas know if you have a quick question or can send a screenshot of your application.
Harper College offers workshops and financial application assistance for ANYONE (not just Harper-bound students).
There are a lot of great videos on the Federal Student Aid YouTube page.
What if I cannot, or will not, submit the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid?:
Students (if 18 years old +) or parents (if student is not 18) must create an ISAC Student Portal account and submit a NON-PARTICIPATION/WAIVER FORM there for graduation purposes.
If submitted on this site, no proof needs to be sent to Hersey for graduation purposes but will show up on our list from the state.
Want some more info? Check out the following resources to help you in completing your FAFSA:
--> ATTEND the D214 Senior Financial Aid Night, 9/17 at Prospect HS at 7pm.
What do I need to fill out the 2026-27 FAFSA/Alt. App? (English & Spanish PDF - 2027-28 info coming soon!)
Step-by-Step FAFSA Walkthrough and Demo for High School Students (video)
Does the college you are applying to required the CSS Profile? Find out more about the CSS Profile.
Do NOT do the CSS profile is not required. It does cost money (waivers may be available through the Assessment Center).
WATCH this presentation on how to complete the CSS Profile for more info!
Once the FAFSA or Alternative Application (and CSS Profile if applicable - see below) are submitted, information on a student's financial aid awards will come directly from the Financial Aid offices of colleges the student has been accepted to.
These "Financial Aid Award Letters" can come via regular mail, email, or be posted to a student's college portal. Make sure to be checking for this important information in order to make the best financial fit college decision!
Want to compare award letters? Check out ISAC's Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet (More thorough) or Scholarships360 Award Letter Comparison Tool (More basic). (Mr. Chiakulas can sit and help you with this!)
Thinking about APPEALING your Financial Aid decision? Check out this "tip" sheet first!
