This guide is designed to help you understand the financial aid process from the initial offer through delivery of financial aid. 

It is important that you respond promptly to all requests for information. Any questions regarding your financial aid should be directed to the UIS Office of Financial Assistance (OFA). The OFA team is committed to providing you with the best possible service and we will make every effort to respond to you requests promptly. However, please note that during peak processing periods, the OFA receives a large volume of email and telephone calls, so it may take additional time to meet your needs.

Terms of Your Aid Offer

• You must be classified as a degree-seeking student at UIS to be eligible for financial aid. Unclassified students, non-degree seeking students, and conditionally/provisionally admitted students are not generally eligible for financial aid. If you are a graduate student, you must be fully admitted to your program. Only specific graduate certificate programs are aid-eligible; please visit Financial Aid for Certificate Programs page for details.
• Your financial aid is determined based on academic merit and/or financial need as determined from the information provided on your financial aid application. Financial aid offers are subject to adjustments or cancellations due to changes in laws, regulations, appropriations, changes in your financial situation, discovery of data errors or changes in your enrollment status.
• If you receive any financial assistance from an outside source (e.g., a private scholarship) that is not included on your offer notice, you must inform the OFA.
• Requests for additional information or documents will be emailed to the student only. Please be sure to monitor emails carefully, as the UIS email is used for most official UIS business.

Enrollment

If your enrolled hours are less than those indicated on your offer notice, your financial aid may be adjusted. You must inform our office of any change in your enrolled hours.  Dropping courses or withdrawing from UIS will affect your current and future aid eligibility. Contact OFA prior to dropping courses or withdrawing from UIS to discuss potential consequences.

For purposes of financial aid, the following definitions apply for the fall and spring semesters:

       Undergraduate

• Full time = 12 or more credit hours
• Three-quarter time = 9-11 credit hours
• Half-time = 6-8 credit hours
• Less than half time = < 6 credit hours 

       Graduate*

• Full time = 9 or more credit hours
• Three-quarter time = 6-8 credit hours
• Half time – 5 credit hours
• Less than half time = < 5 credit hours|
  *certain graduate accelerated programs may follow different definitions

Classes taken for audit are not eligible for financial assistance and do not count toward enrollment purposes for financial aid. It is the student’s responsibility to inform OFA if you enroll in a class for an audit grade.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

As a financial aid recipient, you must satisfy the academic requirements as defined by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy of the University of Illinois Springfield. Please note Academic Good Standing follows a different policy.

Financial Assistance E-Offer Notice

Upon completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®), the United States Department of Education (ED) transmits an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to UIS OFA. This report allows us to offer you financial aid when completed fully and correctly. In the cases of conflicting information, Federal Student Aid (FSA) will notify you in the comments section of your FAFSA Submission Summary. After all requirements have been satisfied by both ED and UIS, the aid offer will be prepared.

Students applying for financial assistance will receive their financial aid offer notification electronically through the Financial Aid section of the UIS student portal, Self-Service. More information can be found on the Financial Aid Offer Notice page.

Financial Assistance Programs

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are available to help undergraduates with financial need pay for the pursuit of their first baccalaureate degree. The maximum annual amount will depend on financial need and program funding, as determined by ED.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is a federally funded, campus-based program. Recipients must demonstrate exceptional financial need as determined by the federal formula. Funds are limited and Federal Pell Grant recipients are given priority.

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant is a federally funded program for students who plan a career in teaching. Students may qualify for up to $4000 each year, based on meeting program conditions. In exchange for this grant, a student must sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS) as a full-time teacher at certain low-income schools and within high need fields for at least four academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment) the course of study for which the candidate received the grant.

Failure or refusal to carry out the obligations of this program will convert the grant(s) into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan(s) with interest dated back to the time of disbursement.

State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP)

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, funded by the State of Illinois, provides need-based grants for qualified undergraduate students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree to help pay for tuition and mandatory fees. Independent students must be Illinois residents and parents of dependent students must be Illinois residents to qualify.

Military & Veterans Benefits

All students wishing to use any veteran’s or military benefits must complete a UIS Request for Veteran Program Benefits form each semester. You can access the form by going to the Financial Assistance web page and selecting Financial Aid Forms.

Please visit Veteran Benefits for more information.

Graduate Tuition Waivers

Many students utilize graduate tuition and fee benefits through serving as a Graduate Assistant or in a Graduate Public Service Internship. If at any time during the aid year you receive a graduate assistantship or internship, your financial aid may need to be revised to exclude any institutional grants and waivers or adjust loans.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is offered to undergraduate students with the financial need after their eligibility for grants and need-based scholarships has been considered. The FWS program is a form of financial aid that allows you to earn money to pay for a portion of your educational expenses. The program encourages both community service work and work related to your course of study. FWS is one of the few types of financial aid offered by the Office of Financial Assistance that does not credit directly to your University account. Rather, you must work to earn the amount of FWS for which you may be eligible. Student employees are paid every two weeks. Wages vary depending on the type of work involved.

If your offer notice includes an FWS amount, you may search the CareerConnect Job Board for available positions. The Virtual Job Board may be accessed at Student Employment page. A complete description of the position and pay rate is included in each job listing. Students who are hired to work on campus will need to complete the applicable employment paperwork.

If you wish to decline your FWS offer or reduce your offer (minimum FWS is $1,000) and request additional Federal Loans, please contact OFA. An advisor will be able to determine if you have additional loan eligibility.

If your offer notice did not include an FWS offer but you would like to work on campus as an FWS student, please contact OFA. An advisor will be able to determine your eligibility for FWS. If you have been offered a student loan, your student loan eligibility may be reduced.

Federal Direct Loan Program (DL)

A part of your financial aid offer may include your eligibility to participate in the federal Direct Loan Program (DL). The federal government created this program to provide low-interest loans to assist students and their families in financing postsecondary education. There is no separate loan application for federal student loans. The FAFSA^® is the application.

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

The subsidized loan is based on financial need as determined by the government from the results of the FAFSA^®. If you qualify for a subsidized Federal Direct Loan, the government will pay the interest on your loan during the following periods:

• While you are enrolled in school at least half time
• During the six-month grace period after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment
• During authorized periods of deferment

The unsubsidized loan is not based on financial need. The government does not pay the interest in your behalf. You are responsible for payment of all interest that accumulates while you are in school, during grace periods, and deferment periods. You have the option of making interest payments while you are still in school, or you may defer interest payments until you begin repayment. All other terms and conditions of the unsubsidized Direct Loan are the same as the subsidized Direct Loan.

Additional unsubsidized loan funds may be available for dependent students whose parents cannot obtain a federal PLUS Loan. Check with a financial aid advisor for more details on how to qualify for an additional loan.

Terms of Federal Direct Loans

Interest Rates 

Loan Fees

 Loan fees, or origination fees, are fees collected by ED to service your loans. Fees as shown above are deducted from the original amount of your loan; therefore, the net amount applied to your account will be less loan fees.

Loan Disbursement

According to federal regulations, loans borrowed for full academic year periods will be paid in two installments called “disbursements.” There typically will be one disbursement in the fall and one in the spring. For loans processed for only one semester (e.g. Fall only loan), the funds will be issued in one disbursement.

Entrance Loan Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Federal regulations require all first-time borrowers at UIS to complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a MPN prior to loan disbursement. Your funds cannot be disbursed until you have completed both items. You may complete entrance counseling and the MPN electronically at Studentaid.gov. Failure to complete these requirements will delay the delivery of your loan proceeds.

Exit Loan Counseling

Federal regulations require all students who graduate, drop below half-time enrollment or leave school to complete an Exit Loan Counseling session. This requirement can be fulfilled online at Studentaid.gov.

Repayment

Repayment of your Federal Direct loans begins automatically six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time attendance. The standard repayment term is 10 years, but other repayment plan options are available.

Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits

The federal government has set limits on the amount of Direct Loan funds a student may borrow within a given year and throughout their educational career. The annual and lifetime aggregate limits listed below are calculated by including all Direct Loan funds borrowed from all schools attended. Once a student reaches their aggregate limit, they are no longer eligible to borrow under the Direct Loan Program (subsidized or unsubsidized).

If you have questions about your Direct Loan eligibility or other options available to you, please contact your financial aid advisor to review your loan status. You may also view your borrowing history through the Federal Student Aid portal.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Parents

The PLUS Loan is a federal funded program for the parent(s) of a dependent undergraduate student. Eligibility is not based on financial need; however, applicants are required to pass a credit check. An approved applicant can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid offered.

The PLUS loan is an unsubsidized loan, meaning the borrower will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.  When you borrow through the PLUS Loan Program, the parent who borrows must sign a master promissory note agreeing to pay back the loan with interest, according to the terms of the program.

Parents who are interested in a Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) should visit StudentAid.gov to complete your PLUS application online.

Donor-Funded Institutional Scholarships

Our donor-funded scholarship process begins in early November each year. All applications must be submitted by mid-February to be considered. To complete the online application and to receive more information on this process, please go to the Donor Funded Institutional Scholarships page.

Alternative Loan Programs

Alternative, or Private Loans, were designed to bridge the gap between college costs and traditional financial aid resources. These loans are typically borrowed in the student’s name and are not based on financial need. Banks and lenders examine the creditworthiness of the student and cosigner, if applicable, before approving private education loans. The Office of Financial Assistance must certify enrollment.

Delivery of Funds

Delivery of financial aid funds is the function of University Bursar. Funds are disbursed to student accounts no earlier than 10 days prior to the start of the term. Scholarships, grants, and loan proceeds are applied directly to your student account at the University.  Your financial aid file must be complete before this process can take place. Thus, it is imperative that you follow up promptly on any information requested by our office. University Bursar will process any excess funds and refund to the student. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in direct deposit so that any excess funds can be electronically deposited into their designated bank accounts.

Summer Financial Assistance

Students who plan to attend during the summer semester may or may not have eligibility for financial aid. You must be enrolled for the summer semester before your summer aid offer will be processed. Typically, in order to receive financial assistance for the summer semester, undergraduate students must be enrolled in no fewer than six (6) credit hours and graduate students must be enrolled in no fewer than three (3) credit hours.

Student’s Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to:

• Be advised of what financial aid programs are available and how to apply for them 
• Be advised of requirements in the case of withdrawal, refunds, and repayment of financial aid
• Have all application information treated with the highest of professional confidentiality
• Be advised of the procedures and deadlines for submitting application(s) for financial aid
• Be advised of the selection criteria for financial aid recipients
• Be advised of how and when financial aid funds are disbursed
• Request a review of your aid package if you believe a mistake has been made or if your enrollment status or family and/or financial circumstances have changed
• Be advised of how the school determines whether you are making satisfactory progress for financial aid, and what happens if you are not.

You have a responsibility to:

• Establish plans to meet your educational and living expenses
• Apply for financial aid early if you need financial assistance
• Submit all forms required to complete the application process in a timely and accurate manner
• Read, understand and retain copies of all information and/or forms that are sent to you, or that you must sign
• Keep UIS informed of any changes of address, name, or marital status while you are a student.
• Notify the Office of Financial Assistance of all sources of funds you receive that are not already showing on your offer notice
• Maintain minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Satisfactorily perform any work assignments through student employment programs
• Inform the UIS Office of Financial Assistance of any changes in your attendance or enrollment status.

Financial Aid Tips

• Your aid offer cannot exceed the estimated cost to attend UIS.
• Be sure to update UIS of any address, email address, or telephone changes by contacting the Office of Registration and Records.
• After applying with the FAFSA^®, review your FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy.
• Report for any errors or conflicts that need resolved.
• If your plans should change and you decide not to attend UIS, inform OFA of your decision.
• Keep copies of all documents you send to our office.
• Start a file to store all your financial aid documents.
• Keep your FSA ID, or StudentAid.gov account information handy, but confidential.
• Meet all deadlines.
• Ask the Office of Financial Assistance team any questions you may have. We’re here to assist you!

How to Contact Financial Aid

Please include your UIN in all correspondence with our office.

• Send an e-mail. The best way to contact our office is via email at finaid@uis.edu.
• Call our office at 217-206-6724. If we are unavailable, please leave a voicemail message and an advisor will return your call as quickly as possible. If you need to fax any information to us, please do so at 217-206-7376.
• Visit the UIS Office of Financial Assistance website to find all the latest information and answers to frequently asked questions.
• Visit our office. Our office is located on the first floor of University Hall. We are open between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Advisors are available to meet with students and their families on a walk-in or appointment basis. See our booking tool to schedule an appointment.
• Check your financial aid status online by using the Student Self-Service System. Just go to Check Your Status Page for more information and login to Self-Service.
• Mail documents to our office. Our address is University of Illinois Springfield, ATTN Office of Financial Assistance, One University Plaza, MS UHB 1015, Springfield, IL 62703.

Revised 3/2/2025