fINANCIAL aID Planning

Figuring out how to fund your dreams is a vital step in making them happen. It is important to understand the financial aid process for the post-secondary path that you intend to pursue.

✨FYI! FAFSA and Alternative Application have a delayed opening for the 2024-2025 school year. They are expected to be available sometime in December 2024✨

IMPORTANT DATES FOR FINANCIAL AID

Event & Registration Information Below. Click on the arrows below to view more events.

BHS & ISAC Events: 2023-2024

FIRST STEP: Complete the financial aid application that is right for you

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

This application will use income, assets and other factors to determine the amount you and your family are expected to contribute to your college expenses. Your eligibility for financial aid will be determined by your and your family’s financial situation, and by filing your FAFSA on time (opens October 1st each year). 

You must submit the FAFSA in order to be considered for all federal financial aid programs (including student loans), most programs through your college and most state programs, including the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.

Most of the questions on the FAFSA are demographic-related and the rest of the answers come from your tax forms and/or those of your parents (if you’re a dependent student) or your spouse (if you are married). 

Click here to access the FAFSA

ALTERNATIVE APP

Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid

The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students disqualified from federal financial to apply for state-leveing financial aid.

The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a way for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. 

The RISE Act provides a way to apply for ISAC gift assistance programs – including MAP, the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program, the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Programs and others – to those who meet the RISE Act criteria and each program’s eligibility requirements. 

Click here to access the Alternative App

Additionally, completing one of these applications will fulfill a state-mandated high school graduation requirement.

What information is needed to complete the FAFSA or Alternative App?

Additional information you will need if you are completing the FAFSA:

If you are a dependent student, you will report your information and your parents/guardians' information.

If you are an independent student, you will only report your own information (and, if you are married, your spouse's).

Please visit studentaid.gov/dependency for more information.

What if I am not going to college? What can I do about this requirement?

While going to a 2 year college, 4 year university, technical school, or trade school after high school is in the plans of many of our students, we know that it is not the path for everyone. Therefore, filling out a financial aid application would not be necessary in these situations.

Students are able to complete a nonparticipation waiver in order to waive them from this requirement. This form will be available electronically in December 2023.

Need additional support?

ISAC

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is a great resource. Contact our rep today!


BHS's ISAC Rep:

Angelo Buff (he/him/any) 


Questions about financial aid, college, or want to sign up for reminders? Text our experts and receive answers: 815-243-6470 (English); (773) 823-0570 (Spanish)

BHS Counselors

Contact your student's counselor!