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Financial Aid

FAFSA

Required Documents for 2023-2024:

  • FSA ID
  • Social Security number (student's and parent's)
    • If the student applying for financial aid does not have a valid Social Security number, DO NOT FILE.
    • If the student has a Social Security number but the parents do not, you may still file and use 000-00-0000 when asked for parent information.
  • Student's driver's license
  • Student's 2021 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
  • Student's 2021 Federal Income Tax Return: IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ
  • Parent's 2021 Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
  • 2021 untaxed income records (welfare benefits, Social Security, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  • Current bank statements
  • Current business and investment records (if any)

Here is the link to the FAFSA (non-participation) waiver form:

              English: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/FAFSA-Non-Participation-Form.pdf
              Spanish: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/FAFSA-Non-Participation-Form-Spanish.pdf

****remember it is a graduation requirement to complete a FASFA or the waiver form above****

RISE Act Alternative App 2023

Financial Aid Resources

The majority of the sites that follow are comprehensive sites. In other words, they contain information on many topics such as financial aid, scholarships, college choice, career choice, etc. For additional information, please refer to the Scholarship Information section of the Grant Community High School website.  

College Board
This is an excellent site for parents and contains detailed information on all aspects of the financial aid and college search process.  Some highlights include SCC/Profile online, loan information, financial aid calculators comparison of aid awards, scholarship search and related articles.  One article of interest is the "Step by Step Guide to Applying for Aid".  Have students check out their site as well as other information.

College Illinois! 529 Prepaid Tuition Program offers a 529 prepaid college tuition savings plan designed to help you with financial planning and saving for college.

College Net
Something different about this site is that it links to the Collegiate Funding site, which does pre-approval for the PLUS loan.  Otherwise, the information under "Financial Aid" basically links the user to the FAFSA and the Dept of ED sites.  (See the scholarship section below for scholarship search information on this site.)

FinAid
The Calculations section is very helpful and contains a Financial Aid Estimation Calculation among others.  Information on loans, scholarships and scholarship scams, savings, tuition payment plans and military aid is abundant.  The site map is a springboard for resources on many related topics.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Helpful information on ISAC's website includes loan repayment and college cost calculators as well as a state and federal aid estimator.  Numerous publications may be downloaded.  There is also a section for parents, which explains paying for college.  Check out the sitemap for more detailed information.

KnowHow2GOIllinois
Information and guidance geared for Junior High and High School students who want to go to college.

U.S. Department of Education
After clicking on Financial Aid, highlights of this site include: access to publications such as "The Student Guide", a comprehensive guide to financial aid; "Funding Your Education", an overview of student aid programs; and "Looking for Student Aid".  Some additional information on this site includes a list of Title IV school codes (under Loans), information on tax cuts and a list of Internet sites, which contain other sources of student aid.

What's Next Illinois
An online tool that allows students to prepare for high school, college, financial aid, career exploration, and living in the real world.

Federal Student Aid 
Students can access a free scholarship search by visiting and clicking on "Financial Aid and Scholarship Wizard". This site contains free information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school. An introduction to "MyFSA" and a college savings calculator are also helpful.