Financial Aid Sources
On This Page: Federal Loans | Grants | Veteran Grants | Federal Work Study
Explore the different types of financial aid available to help pay for college, including loans, grants, and work-study opportunities.
Federal Direct Loans
- Half-time or full-time students
- Must complete the FAFSA
- Eligibility and loan type depend on financial need
- Both Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are available
$200 to up to $10,500 per academic year. Actual amounts will be based on dependency status, academic level and number of credits enrolled per year.
- Lifetime Limits
- Dependent students: up to $23,000 subsidized; $31,000 subsidized and unsubsidized combined
- Independent students: up to $23,000 subsidized; $57,500 subsidized and unsubsidized combined
- Interest Rates: Rates are set annually by the U.S. government and apply from July
1 through June 30. View current interest rates here.
- Subsidized: No interest while you’re in school; fixed interest rate after you leave school
- Repayment begins 6 months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment
- Unsubsidized: Fixed interest rate both in school and after
- Subsidized: No interest while you’re in school; fixed interest rate after you leave school
Grants
Grants are need-based funds that help pay for college and do not need to be repaid. Most grants come from the federal or state government and are awarded after you complete the FAFSA.
The Pell Grant is financial aid that does not need to be repaid. It helps undergraduate students with financial need pay for college.
- Eligibility: Based on your Student Aid Index (SAI), cost of attendance, and federal guidelines
- Maximum award: Up to $7,395 per year for full-time students (2024–2026)
- Enrollment: Award amount adjusts based on credit hours taken
- Duration: Available for up to 12 full-time semesters (about six years) or until you earn a bachelor’s degree
- Degree limitation: Only available to students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree
The FSEOG is additional grant funding for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. This aid does not need to be repaid.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students with significant financial need; must be enrolled at least half-time
- Award amount: Typically up to $250 per semester (varies based on need & available federal funding)
- Duration: Awarded for one academic year at a time and renewable while financial need continues
- Degree limitation: Available only to students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree
The Illinois MAP Grant helps eligible Illinois residents cover tuition and mandatory fees. This grant does not need to be repaid.
- Eligibility:
- Illinois resident
- Undergraduate student
- Enrolled in at least 3 credit hours per term
- Demonstrate financial need
- Have not exceeded MAP credit limits
- Award amount: Covers a portion of tuition and mandatory fees (amount varies based on state funding and financial need)
- Credit hour limits:
- Up to 135 MAP-paid credit hours total
- Must maintain financial need to continue receiving the grant
Veterans Grants
Kishwaukee College proudly supports our military-connected students. Veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard members may qualify for state and federal education benefits that help cover tuition and fees.
The Illinois Veteran Grant helps eligible veterans cover tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges in Illinois.
- Eligibility:
- Meet Illinois Residency Requirements
- Have served at least 1 year of active duty or regardless of length of service, have served in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country or have been medically discharged for service related reasons
- Please visit ISAC.org for the full list of eligibility requirements.
- What it covers:
- 100% of tuition and mandatory fees
- Benefits use a point system (up to 120 points)
- Does not cover GED coursework
- How to get started:
- Apply online through ISAC
- Submit a copy of your DD-214 Member 4 copy or letter from your commanding officer if currently serving
- Submit a Certification Request to Kishwaukee College
- Note: All students who applied with ISAC will be certified whether they submit a certification request to Kishwaukee College
- Processing typically takes up to 12 weeks
- Note: Kishwaukee College processing takes an additional 1-2 weeks and begins about 1 week prior to the the start of each semester
The Illinois National Guard Grant helps eligible service members cover tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges in Illinois.
- Eligibility:
- Must have served at least 1 year in the Illinois National Guard or Naval Militia
- Must remain an active member while enrolled in college
- View all eligibility requirements
- What it covers:
- Full tuition and mandatory fees
- Up to 8 semesters of full- or part-time study
- Does not cover non-credit or GED coursework
- How to get started:
- Apply online through ISAC
- Submit required documents
- Processing typically takes up to 12 weeks
The Illinois National Guard Grant helps eligible service members cover tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges in Illinois.
- Eligibility:
- Must have served at least 1 year in the Illinois National Guard or Naval Militia
- Must remain an active member while enrolled in college
- View all eligibility requirements
- What it covers:
- Full tuition and mandatory fees
- Up to 8 semesters of full- or part-time study
- Does not cover non-credit or GED coursework
- How to get started:
- Apply online through ISAC
- Submit required documents
- Processing typically takes up to 12 weeks
Provides education benefits for dependents of Illinois veterans who are deceased, disabled, Missing in Action (MIA), or Prisoners of War (POW).
- Eligibility
- Dependent status:
- Spouse of the veteran
- Natural, adopted, or stepchild (under age 18 at time of adoption/marriage)
- Minor under court-ordered guardianship for at least 2 years
- Veteran residency requirements:
- Illinois resident when entering service, or
- Became an Illinois resident within 6 months of entering service, or
- Lived in Illinois for at least 15 consecutive years after service
- Veteran service criteria (one required):
- Missing in Action (MIA)
- Prisoner of War (POW)
- 100% service-connected disability (including unemployability)
- Death determined as service-connected
- Dependent status:
- What It Covers
- The scholarship provides:
- Financial assistance for approved education programs
- Benefits for eligible dependents of qualifying veterans
- Coverage governed by Illinois state law and administrative code
- How to Get Started
- Confirm eligibility based on dependent status and veteran qualifications
- Gather required documentation (e.g., DD214, proof of Illinois residency)
- Submit an application through the appropriate state agency
- Contact the financial aid office for assistance with the process