Harper College will be closed Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1 for Winter Break.
View my Financial Aid Checklist and Details in the Finances tab on the MyHarper Portal lead you to see how much financial support you are eligible to receive while enrolled at Harper College during the Fall and/or Spring semesters. Financial aid availability for the Summer term is limited. You can view and print your financial aid awards from MyHarper.
Below are types of financial aid programs that may be listed on your View my Financial Aid Checklist and Details. This glossary will also help you with new terminology.
Important: Since federal and state funding levels are not finalized or may be adjusted during the year, awards are subject to change. Awards could be also reduced if the government does not provide sufficient funding.
Your financial aid awards may include grants (Pell, FSEOG and MAP), loans, federal work study, scholarships and veterans benefits.
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. SAI replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
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 Student Aid Index (for 2024-25) 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 regulationsand the 2024-25 Monetary Award Program (MAP) Rights & Responsibilities.
To help educate Harper College students about the federal loan program terms and to borrow responsibly, Federal Direct Loans are not be included in the initial financial aid award package. You can request loan funds by completing these additional steps.
A federal program offered and administered by the institution that provides opportunity for part-time employment to students with financial need to help pay their educational expenses. Students are responsible for finding qualified employment. Funds are paid out through a paycheck, as earned. See Student Employment for more information.
Scholarships are available from various sources, including Harper College. Award amounts and terms of the scholarship are established by the sponsor. See Scholarships for more information.
The federal government and the Illinois General Assembly offer financial assistance to help veterans pay for tuition, certain fees and some related expenses. If you are eligible for these programs, each semester you must complete and submit the online Veterans Enrollment Certificate (VEC) for processing after finalizing your registration.
Read This! Things You Need to Know