By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.
The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a "State of IL MAP Grant (Est)". Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.
There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of fulltime enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at studentportal.isac.org.
You may be eligible for a State of Illinois MAP grant.
Because you completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, you are also considered for financial aid from the State of Illinois. You may qualify for a State of Illinois MAP grant—financial aid from the State of Illinois that is based on financial need and does not have to be repaid. If you are eligible:
Your financial aid offer from the school includes an estimated amount listed as IL MAP (estimated).
The amount listed is an estimate. The final amount may change depending on how much funding the state provides this year, as well as the number of hours you’re enrolled and your other sources of aid.
MAP grant awards may be received for up to about 4½ years of full-time college.
You can learn more about the State of Illinois MAP grant and check how many credit hours you have used on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission website: isac.org/mapgrant
You may also qualify for help with dependent care expenses and food costs.
Ask your financial aid office if you would benefit from the federal dependent care allowance.
Call the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hotline at 800.359.2163 or visit the website at ilhunger.org for information about food assistance.
Contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800.843.6154 or visit the website dhs.state.il.us for information about the Child Care Assistance Program and/or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
