Please read our UIS Student Guide to Financial Aid.

The full cost of tuition and required fees up to 15 credit hours per semester. 

This cost is estimated as the average of tuition & fees for a student taking 15 credit hours, as indicated on the student's financial aid offer notification letter. The student's actual cost may be slightly more or less than this estimate.

Work study is a part-time employment program for U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are at least half-time students in a degree program and demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA each year. If you have been awarded work study and would like to view work-study as well as part-time job listings, go to our CareerConnect website.

The MAP Grant pays according to the number of enrolled credit hours. Students enrolled in 15 or more credit hours will receive 100% of the MAP Grant award on their financial aid notification. Enrollment below 15 credit hours causes a prorated MAP disbursement. If the number of credit hours changes after the initial disbursement of the MAP Grant, by adding or dropping credit hours, the funds already paid to a student account may be adjusted.

Financial aid may be disbursed to the student account up to 10 days prior to the first day of classes. Students who are missing required documents or have not accepted financial aid in Self-Service may not receive a disbursement.

If you have excess financial aid that exceeds institutional charges on your UIS student account, University Bursar will issue a refund. The earliest a refund may be issued each semester is approximately a week prior to the start of classes.

Before you apply for financial aid, here’s some information you will need.

1. Your parents’ tax return for the tax year indicated on the FAFSA.
2. Your tax return for the tax year indicated on the FAFSA
3. Other income and asset information
4. Student driver’s license
5. Student and parent social security numbers, date of birth and legal names

If you are a dependent student, you and your parent will each need to create a StudentAid.gov account. You will need both of your social security numbers. You can create your account at StudentAid.gov.

Once you create your StudentAid.gov account, you may begin your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply for financial aid at studentaid.gov. If you need help with your FAFSA you can contact our office at (217) 206-6724 or schedule a meeting with an advisor at UIS Financial Aid. 

Students who are ineligible to file the FAFSA and reside in the state of Illinois may be able to apply using the Illinois Alternative Application.

A FERPA form can be completed which gives permission to disclosure higher-level financial aid information to a third party the student designates.  However, students and contributors should be aware that FERPA does not authorize the sharing of FTI data.  FTI data transferred from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may only be shared with the student upon request with the Office of Financial Assistance.  These data elements are considered highly protected by IRS Code and are only able to be used by higher education institutions for the purpose of administering financial aid programs, including determining eligibility and amounts of Title IV aid.  

The following information is included in FTI:

• Tax Year (ex. Award year 2025-26 is based on 2023 tax year information from the IRS)
• Tax Filing Status
• Adjust Gross Income (AGI)
• Number of Exemptions and Number of Dependents
• Income Earned from Work
• Taxes Paid
• Educational Credits
• Untaxed IRA distributions
• IRA deductible and payments
• Tax exempt interest
• Untaxed pension amounts
• Schedule C net profit/loss
• Indicators for Schedules A, B, D, E, F, H
• IRS response code

Students are not excluded due to military or veteran status, as long as they are first-time freshmen and meet all other eligibility requirements for the Promise. 

Many veteran or military-connected students are eligible for various types of military or veteran's assistance. Students with full tuition military-connected or veteran benefits may not have a need for the UIS Promise. 

The promise will cover mandatory fees for an undergraduate student with a full -time load of 15 credits/semester. Fees associated with online courses, lab fees, optional fees, athletic fees, late fees, parking permits or parking violation fees, and other non-mandatory fees are not included.

The Promise is intended to cover tuition and mandatory fees based upon an average of 15 credit hours per semester. Students may register for more or less credits as long as they are still enrolled full-time of at least 12 credit hours. The State of IL MAP Grant is pro-rated for enrollment of less than 15 credits, per state regulations. However, UIS scholarships and grants will not be increased to cover more than 15 credits per semester, nor will it be decreased if registered for between 12-15 credits.

Students receiving federal veterans’ education benefits, such as Post 9/11 GI Bill, may still be eligible for the Promise if all other criteria is met. Students who are utilizing State of Illinois veteran or military benefits may not have the need for the Promise. State of Illinois programs include Illinois Veterans Grant, Illinois National Guard Grant, and Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship for dependents. These programs already cover full tuition and many mandatory fees.

1. Log in to the UIS Student Self-Service portal
2. Click on Financial Aid Notification
3. Make sure you select the correct aid year.
4. To accept/decline all or part of your offered aid, select the Accept/Decline button at the bottom of the notification.
5. Once you have clicked Accept/Decline, you are given to option to accept the full amount or click modify to take out a portion of the aid offered.
6. You can also request changes to your aid using the Request Changes button or by emailing Finaid@uis.edu.

A student must be an Illinois resident, be entering college as either a first-time, first-year (freshman) student or as a transfer student with a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or above, be eligible for and receive the State of Illinois MAP Grant (as demonstrated by applying for aid through the FAFSA), enroll full-time, and not be in a fully online academic program.

Most forms and documents may be uploaded via UIS Student Self Service portal

1. Log in to the UIS Student Self-Service portal
2. Click on the Financial Aid Home page
3. Below the unsatisfied requirement you are submitting, click the Choose File button
4. Choose the file to upload and click Open (.pdf, .jpg and .png file types)
5. Once you view the file as Pending next to the Choose File button, click Submit
6. If the document has been uploaded successfully, you will see a "Document Upload Successful" status appear in the yellow box.

Students may not see a grant or scholarship on their financial aid offer labeled as Prairie Promise. Beyond the IL MAP Grant, students' tuition and fees are covered by a combination of UIS gift aid such as Star Scholar Award, Capital Honor Scholarship, or AIM HIGH Grant funds. Other awards that will be included are Camerata Music Scholarship, Memorial Health Pre-Nursing scholarship, Child of Veteran tuition waiver, Child of Employee tuition waiver, and any other UIS-funded grants, scholarships and waivers. Some students may see a Promise award on their aid offer.

University Bursar prepares the billing statements for students. Tuition and fees are not assessed for students until closer to the start of each term, with official billing taking place after the add/drop period ends for each term.

1. Log in to the UIS Student Self-Service portal
2. Click on account billing information
3. Click on the UI-Pay
4. You can pay through View and Pay accounts

For more information on student accounts and how to pay, contact University Bursar at 217-333-2180 or bursarhelp@uillinois.edu.

If students continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements and receive the IL MAP grant, they will continue to be eligible for the Prairie Promise for up to four years of undergraduate full-time study.

New students who will be using veteran and/or military benefits should send an email to finaid@uis.edu so that the appropriate requirements can be added to your Student Self-Service portal. Please include your UIN and the specific benefit(s) that you have been awarded. A UIS Request for Benefits, available on our financial aid forms page, will be required for each semester that you intend to enroll and use military benefits. The form and additional instructions can be emailed to you upon request.

No, not at this time. The Prairie Promise is a financial aid initiative that is available to only first-year, first-time (freshmen) or transfer students who met the admission requirements mentioned under the eligibility criteria.

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). All first-time student and parent borrowers of federal Direct student loans, and borrowers whose previous MPN has expired, must complete the MPN before loan funds can be disbursed to your student account.

Room and board, course-specific fees such as laboratory fees, study abroad fees, the new student orientation fee, and indirect expenses like books, supplies and travel are not covered. Late fees, parking permits, parking tickets, damages, and other non-mandatory, optional fees are not included.

Endorsement cost depends on the endorsement, credit hours, level, residency, delivery format, and fees. View the Tuition and Fees page for more details on cost for upcoming terms and/or contact the School of Education.

UIS licensure cost depends on the program, residency, delivery format, credit hours needed, and fees. For teacher licensure, UIS audits your transcripts after admission to determine remaining requirements. View the Tuition and Fees page for more details on cost for upcoming terms and/or contact the School of Education.

Graduate certificate cost depends on credit hours, program, residency, delivery, and fees. View the Tuition and Fees page for more details on cost for upcoming terms. 

UIS offers scholarships specifically for transfer students.

Yes. Merit-based scholarships are available for eligible students.

Yes, the University of Illinois provides an optional UI-Pay Payment Plan that allows students/authorized payers to spread payment of anticipated tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board expenses over a number of installments for the Fall and Spring semesters.

Tuition generally covers instruction and some campus services. Fees may apply separately.

Students should complete FAFSA as early as possible and verify annual deadlines.

UIS is recognized as an affordable public university option in Illinois. Verify current tuition comparisons before publishing.

Financial aid counselors help students understand grants, loans, scholarships, and FAFSA requirements.

UIS offers transfer scholarships for eligible students.

UIS offers financial aid, scholarships, and public university affordability.

See cost of attendence.

Online tuition rates may differ from on-campus rates. See cost of attendence.

Yes. Eligible online students may qualify for financial aid.

Tuition and fees vary by program and residency status.

See cost of attendence.

Students may qualify for grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

Yes. UIS offers merit, transfer, departmental, and need-based scholarships.

Students can complete the FAFSA online through the federal student aid website.

Visit the Meal Plans page to see current meal plans available/

Find application information and requirements on the Apply page

Review our Scholarships

Check your status

Find info about conditional admission

Find FAFSA Deadlines on the FAFSA site.

Yes. In order to be considered for aid programs administered by the UIS Office of Financial assistance, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Housing rates

Find application information and requirements on the Apply page

Find out more about applying for aid

You can send documentation, view requirements, and check your status through self-service

Find info about withdrawing on the Registrars site

uis.edu/Financial-aid

Work study is a part-time employment program for U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are at least half-time students in a degree program and demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA each year. If you have been awarded work study and would like to view work-study as well as part-time job listings, go to our CareerConnect website.

Explanation of the tuition and fee charges

Find info about the Cost recovery program

Contact info for Financial Aid

You can send documentation, view requirements, and check your status through self-service

Find out more about applying for aid

uis.edu/Financial-aid/forms-faqs

If your family circumstances have changed since submitting your FAFSA, please visit Change of Financial Situation. Every year ISAC, the state agency that administers the MAP grant Program, determines a FAFSA submission deadline for MAP eligibility. Any student who submits their initial FAFSA after the state MAP deadline will not be eligible to receive it for that upcoming academic year.

Visit the University Bursar Payment Plan page

Tuition information by term

finaid@uis.edu

You can check your status on the UIS website.

Find FAFSA Deadlines

Visit the FAFSA site for more info about State Aid

Every year ISAC, the state agency that administers the MAP grant Program, determines a FAFSA submission deadline for MAP eligibility. Any student who submits their initial FAFSA after the state MAP deadline will not be eligible to receive it for that upcoming academic year.

The MAP Grant is a need-based award. Financial need is determined using the data submitted on the FAFSA. MAP Grant eligibility is determined by FAFSA information and tuition.

There are limits to MAP Grant eligibility based on grade level and total credit hours. Those details can be found at the bottom of the State Grant page. Monetary Award Program | MAP Grants (isac.org)

The MAP Grant is available only to Illinois residents and/or the dependents of Illinois residents. If a student or their parents (for dependent students) no longer reside in Illinois, they will no longer be eligible for the MAP grant.

Explanation of the tuition and fee charges

Find out more about tax and credit deductions

(217) 206-6724

Find out more about applying for aid.

Visit the University Bursar for info about paying your bill.

Find out more about applying for aid .

The MAP Grant pays according to the number of enrolled credit hours. Students enrolled in 15 or more credit hours will receive 100% of the MAP Grant award on their financial aid notification. Enrollment below 15 credit hours causes a prorated MAP disbursement. If the number of credit hours changes after the initial disbursement of the MAP Grant, by adding or dropping credit hours, the funds already paid to a student account may be adjusted.

Find that info on the Cost of Attendance page.

Informaiton about withdrawing and refunds.

(217) 206-7376

Contact Financial Aid for assistance

Yes, you can find more info on the Study Away page.

Visit the Types of Aid page for more info.

Yes, financial aid is available during the summer. An undergraduate student must be enrolled in at least half-time (6 credit-hours) to be eligible for Pell grant and Direct loans. For a graduate student they must be enrolled in at least half-time (three credit-hours) to be eligible for Direct loans during the summer semester.

Find that info on the Cost of Attendance page.

Payment due dates

Financial Aid Office hours

Find out more about applying for aid.

Find a link to the Financial Aid guide.

You can check your status on the UIS Website.

Adding or dropping courses can affect your aid eligibility. You should contact a financial aid counselor before adding or dropping courses.

Find that info on the Cost of Attendance page.

Payment due dates

Contact info for Financial Aid

Contact Financial Aid for assistance

Visit Banner Self-Service to view awards.

You can find information about Financial Aid on the UIS Website.

Find that info on the Cost of Attendance page.

Payment due dates

On the Financial Aid website

Find out more about applying for aid.

Find out more about the Financial Aid offer letter.

Find that info on the Cost of Attendance page.

Payment due dates

On the Financial Aid website.

Contact Financial Aid for assistance

Visit Banner Self-Service to view awards.

Student Financial Aid in the United States is funding that is available exclusively to students attending a post-secondary educational institution in the United States. This funding is used to assist in covering the many costs incurred in the pursuit of post-secondary education.

Tuition information by term

Payment due dates

Find out more about applying for aid

You can check your status on the UIS website.

Visit Banner Self-Service to view awards.

Visit the Terms and Conditons page for more info.

Find that info on the Cost of Attendance page

Tuition information by term

Payment options

Find out more about applying for aid

You can check your status on the UIS website.

Visit Banner Self-Service to view awards.

Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You will learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. All first-time loan borrowers at UIS must complete entrance loan counseling.

When you are finished, a record of your completion will be sent to the schools you selected. Keep in mind that you cannot save and leave an incomplete session; you must complete entrance counseling in one session. You can complete entrance loan counseling at Studentaid.gov.

Visit the Bookstore on the first floor of the PAC or visit them online.

Tuition information by term

View info about your Student Account

Find out more about applying for aid

Find out more about applying for aid: https://www.uis.edu/Financial-aid/applying-aid

Visit Banner Self-Service to view award status.

New students who will be using veteran and/or military benefits should send an email to finaid@uis.edu) so that the appropriate requirements can be added to your Student Self-Service portal. Please include your UIN and the specific benefit(s) that you have been awarded. A UIS Request for Benefits, available on our financial aid forms page, will be required for each semester that you intend to enroll and use military benefits. The form and additional instructions can be emailed to you upon request.

One application is used to apply for various scholarships- including Global Studies, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre and more! All types of students are eligible to apply including international, online and graduate students. Visit our Scholarship application.

Tuition information by term

Visit the Office of Financial Aid to find out different assistance options

Find out more about applying for aid

Find FAFSA Deadlines on the FAFSA website.

Find out more about the Financial Aid offer letter.

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). All first-time student and parent borrowers of federal Direct student loans, and borrowers whose previous MPN has expired, must complete the MPN before loan funds can be disbursed to your student account.

Visit our Scholarship application

Tuition information by term

Visit the University Bursar

Check your status

Find FAFSA Deadlines on the FAFSA website.

Federal School Code is 009333

Refunds are issued by University Bursar. You can review your account status on the University Bursar website(link is external). If your account has a credit balance pending, you can contact University Bursar at 217-333-2180 or email bursarhelp@uillinois.edu for information regarding the refund. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through University Bursar’s website in order to receive funds quicker, and avoid delays.

For an explanation of the tuition and fee charges, please visit the Registrar's Tuition and Fees website.

Tuition information by term

Net Price Calculator

Find out more about applying for aid

Find FAFSA Deadlines on the FAFSA website.

On average 80% or more of students receive aid

Students who begin attendance and drop a class or withdraw completely from the university for the semester may experience a reduction in financial aid. Timing is also important. Please visit the Financial Aid Withdrawal policy for more details.