Harper College will be closed Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1 for Winter Break.
Grants are gift aid that is typically based on financial need. Apply for federal and state grants.
Gift aid is funds awarded to the student that do not have to be repaid, unless the student fails to meet certain criteria, such as a service requirement that is specified as a condition of the gift aid or not completing the period for which the aid was awarded. Gift aid can include awards with titles such as grants, scholarships, remissions, awards, waivers, etc. Gift aid can be awarded based upon many factors, including (but not limited to) financial need, academic excellence, athletic, musical, and/or theatrical talent, affiliation with various groups, and/or career aspirations.
The Pell Grant is the largest federal need-based grant program that can be used to pay for educational related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Grant amounts are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by completing the FAFSA.
If you receive a Federal Pell Grant, the Scheduled Award amount is based on your enrollment intensity, reflecting the percentage of full-time enrollment (12 hours). Any changes to your enrollment can affect the grant amount.
Students may be eligible to receive up to 150% of their Scheduled Pell Grant Award for an award year. The Year-Round Federal Pell Grant allows eligible students to receive a Pell Grant for the Summer term. This includes students who were paid a full Scheduled Award for full time during both the Fall and Spring semesters.
The Federal Pell Grant has a lifetime eligibility limit. A student may receive Pell Grants up to a maximum of 12 semesters (600%), or the calculated equivalent. Harper College posts an alert in your requirements on MyHarper if you are close to this limit.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a federal need-based grant with limited funding and can be used to pay for educational related expenses such as tuition, fees, books and supplies. This award is available to students with a zero or negative Student Aid Index (SAI) and a minimum half time enrollment of six credit hours.
The FSEOG maximum award at Harper College is $600 per year.
The State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) is a need-based grant program administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and is available for Illinois residents who qualify.
MAP grants pay a portion of tuition and mandatory fees. Apply early as funding is limited. MAP grants are not available during the Summer term.
The maximum MAP award is $4,650 per year based on full time enrollment of 15 credit
hours per semester.
MAP awards decrease when enrollment in the semester is less than 15 credit hours.
(minimum 3 hours required)
A MAP grant is also available for eligible students enrolled at Harper College in an eligible short-term “Occupational or Career and Technical Certificate” program less than 16 credit hours.
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You will be asked to submit proof of Illinois residency if you are awarded this grant.
Illinois Residency for 2024-25
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The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a way for these qualified students to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP), the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students.
For more information, go to RISE Act and Alternative Application (ISAC) or apply at Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
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State of Illinois Required MAP Grant Announcement Information for 2024-25
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 full-time 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.
Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or child care for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the financial aid office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or www.dhs.state.il.us. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163 or www.ilhunger.org.
If a State of IL MAP Grant (Est) is not included in your award notification, you are not eligible for the grant at Harper College.
Learn about the State of IL MAP Grant, program regulations and the 2024-25 Monetary Award Program (MAP) Rights & Responsibilities.