State law requires all Illinois public high school seniors to complete 1) Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR 2)Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) OR 3) Non Participation Form, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma.
"Who's the Parent on the FAFSA® Form?" Wizard – A new, stand-alone tool to help students and families determine who will need to provide contributor information on the 2025–26 FAFSA® form prior to starting the application.
"Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account" Page – A new resource that explains what families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account.
Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA® Form – Updated tips for preparing to complete and submit the FAFSA® form. This resource will also be linked from the StudentAid.gov Dashboard to promote easier access for students and their required contributor(s).
Federal Student Aid Estimator – The tool provides an estimate of the 2025–26 Student Aid Index and Federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation.
Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA® Videos – Updated videos to help students and families understand the importance of the FAFSA® form, who is a FAFSA® contributor, and what happens after submitting the form
YOUTUBE: Getting Started with a StudentAid.gov Account
YOUTUBE: FAFSA Resources and How to Avoid Financial Scams
YOUTUBE: Ways to Pay for College or Career School
Federal Grants: Money that doesn’t have to be repaid (e.g., Pell Grant, state of IL MAP grant).
Federal Loans: Money that must be repaid, usually with interest (e.g., Direct Subsidized Loans)
Work-Study: A program that allows students to work part-time to earn money for college.
Financial Need: FAFSA uses a formula to assess your financial need based on your family's income, assets, and other factors. This helps colleges determine how much aid you may qualify for.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission ISAC's college access and outreach activities are focused on helping families navigate the numerous steps involved in career and college planning as well as finding, applying to and paying for college. These activities provide tremendous support to improving the high school to college transition for students in need. Our contact with ISAC:
Erin Coveny
She/Her/Hers
McHenry County College District
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
(815)-354-1542
Questions about financial aid, college, or want to sign-up for reminders? Text our experts and receive answers: 630-216-4910 (Servicio en español: (773) 823-0570)
Completing the FAFSA - ISAC website information
Explore Federal Student Aid's Educational Webinars
provided by Federal Student Aid an OFFICE of the U.S. DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION
YOUTUBE: Getting Started with a StudentAid.gov Account
YOUTUBE: FAFSA Resources and How to Avoid Financial Scams
YOUTUBE: Ways to Pay for College or Career School
The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is an application that students who meet the RISE Act's requirements can use to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. The MAP is Illinois' largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. The application is similar to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but it's administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The Alternative Application collects similar data to the FAFSA, but it's only for the MAP grant, and not for federal student aid.
ISAC will share more information on the release of the 2025-26 Alternative Application as soon as it becomes available, via the Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act page.
Students and/or parents who choose to not complete either the FAFSA or the Alternative Application may complete the Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form online via ISAC's Student Portal. A student and/or parent will need a Student Portal account to complete and sign the Nonparticipation Form.