Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. The amount of the grant will depend on hours enrolled and the extent of your financial need.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Need-based federal grant	Up to $4,310	FAFSA Web filers should request a PIN through www.pin.ed.gov. File the FAFSA as early as possible. Questions? Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800.433.3243.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
An FSEOG is for first-time undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. An FSEOG is a grant, which does not have to be paid back.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Federal Grant program for students with exceptional financial need.	The amount of the grant is dependent on program funding.	FAFSA Web filers should request a PIN through www.pin.ed.gov. File the FAFSA as early as possible: www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm

State of Illinois Programs

Monetary Award Program (MAP)
The Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides grant assistance to Illinios residents who are first-time undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. MAP grants are applied toward tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate students, not to exceed the maximum award amount for the academic year.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Applicant must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 hours per term in a degree or certificate program and may not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant; and not have received a bachelor's degree.	Varies	File the FAFSA as early as possible. For more information: College Zone Map Info

Illinois Incentive for Access Grant (IIA)
The Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Grant provides assistance to freshman students with exceptional financial need.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Applicants must meet all MAP requirements and be enrolled at least half time as a freshman; have a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) with a zero (0) EFC.	Up to $500	File the FAFSA as early as possible. For more information: College Zone IIA Info

Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship (MTI)
Students who are planning to become preschool, elementary or secondary school teachers and are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American origin may qualify.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Applicants must be a high school graduate or hold a GED certificate; cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; be enrolled on at least a half-time basis; not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant; and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a Teacher Education Program, or in a curriculum leading to initial teacher certification.	Up to $5000 per academic year	Recipients must fulfill a teaching commitment by teaching full-time one year for each year of assistance received. The teaching agreement must be fulfilled at an Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary, or secondary school, at which no less than 30% of those enrolled are African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American minority students. If the teaching commitment is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan, and the student must repay the entire amount plus interest. For more information: College Zone IIA Info

Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS)
Students who ranked in the top five percent of their high school class at the end of their third semester before graduation, or scored among the top five percent of scores in the ACT, SAT I or Prairie State Achievement Exam, may be eligible to receive $1,000 from the Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Program. This scholarship can be used to help pay for tuition, fees or other educational expenses at any approved Illinois institution.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Provides scholarships to academically exceptional high school graduates. Must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, a resident of Illinois; rank in the top 5% based on high school GPA; be enrolled on at least a half-time basis; comply with federal Selective Service registration requirements; and claim the MRS award within one year after high school graduation.	Up to $1,000	The top 5% (based on availability of funds) of seniors from all Illinois-approved high schools are automatically designated for consideration for the MRS Program; check with high school guidance counselor. College Zone MRS Info

Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
Spouses or children of Illinois police or fire officers who were killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty may be eligible for the Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers. This grant provides assistance toward tuition and mandatory fees at ISAC-approved Illinois colleges. Applicants do not need to be Illinois residents at the time of enrollment to receive this grant. Recipients may receive the equivalent of eight semesters or 12 quarters of assistance.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Must be the spouse, natural child, legally adopted child, or any child in the legal custody of an Illinois police or fire officer at the time of death or disability; be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen; be enrolled on at least a half-time basis; maintain satisfactory academic progress; not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.	Varies	College Zone Grant Program Info

Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers
Spouses or children of Illinois Department of Corrections officers who were killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty may be eligible for the Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers. This grant provides assistance toward tuition and mandatory fees at ISAC-approved Illinois colleges. Applicants do not need to be Illinois residents at the time of enrollment to receive this grant. Recipients may receive the equivalent of eight semesters or 12 quarters of assistance.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Must be the spouse, natural child, legally adopted child, or any child in the legal custody of an Illinois State Department of Corrections officer at the time of death or disability; be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen; be enrolled on at least a half-time basis; maintain satisfactory academic progress; not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.	Varies	College Zone Grant Program Info

Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG)
Beneficiaries of Illinois College Savings Bonds may be eligible to receive a Bonus Incentive Grant. The amount of the grant will depend on the amount of the bond.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
The Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG) is a non-need based grant which is available to holders of Illinois College Savings Bonds if the bond proceeds are used to pay for educational expenses at an eligible Illinois institution.	Varies	College Zone BIG Grant Info

Nursing Education Scholarship Program
Individuals who have a physical or mental disability, and have been approved for vocational training by the Department of Human Services/Office of Rehabilitation, may be eligible to receive financial assistance through the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Such individuals must demonstrate financial need, and assistance can be used at any accredited Illinois college or technical school.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Students pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing; demonstrate the greatest financial need among qualified students. Certain restrictions apply.	Varies	The application cycle for this scholarship is from April 1 through May 31, prior to the beginning of the academic year for which the scholarship is requested. Visit the Illinois Department of Health for more info. College Zone Nursing Ed Scholarship Info

Allied Health Care Professional Scholarship Program
Students who are studying to be nurse practitioners, physician assistants or certified nurse midwives may be eligible to receive $7,500 for up to two years. To qualify, one must fulfill an obligation to practice full time in a designated shortage area as an allied health-care professional in Illinois for one year for each year scholarship funding is received. If the recipient fails to fulfill the obligation requirements, he or she must repay the state three times the amount of the scholarship received for each unfulfilled year of obligation, plus 7 percent interest per year. This program is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Criteria	Award	Details/Contact
Students who are studying to be nurse practitioners, physician assistants or certified nurse midwives may be eligible. Certain restrictions apply.	Up to $7,500 per academic year	Contact Marcia Franklin at 217.782.1624 or visit the Illinois Department of Health for more info. College Zone Allied Health Info