AIM HIGH Grant for New First-Year and Transfer Students (2025-26)

• Eligibility: To be eligible for the AIM High Program, you must:
  • file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and demonstrate financial need, with a household income no greater than 8 times the poverty guideline established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen or meet the “undocumented student” criteria of the RISE Act.
  • be a resident of Illinois.
  • have attended an Illinois high school.
  • apply to be enrolled for the first time at the public university campus where the award will be used
  • meet the minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
  • be enrolled as an undergraduate student on a full-time basis.
  • have not yet received a bachelor’s degree (the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours).
  • not be incarcerated.
  • not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.

• Up to $2,000 in AIM HIGH Grant aid in addition to UIS scholarship for AIM HIGH-Eligible students that do not receive MAP Grants. Some students with high UIS Merit Scholarships may not receive AIM HIGH funding, or may receive a lower amount.
• Students must have an SAI as calculated on the FAFSA or RISE app of less than $30,000
• Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Priority deadline for consideration of AIM HIGH Grant funds is May 1. Students should be admitted to UIS and have a FAFSA or RISE application submitted no later than May 1 for consideration of AIM HIGH funds.

Maximum Income Level for AIM HIGH Grant (2025-26)

The above income levels are based upon 8 times the 2023 US Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states.