Students can apply for assistance paying the balance of their tuition and fees with
a wide variety of financial assistance programs. Many students receive some type of
financial aid to help fund their education. If you are interested in applying for
financial aid, the financial services staff at College of DuPage are here to help
you sort through all of the information to make financially responsible decisions.
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants
usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need
and who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. (A professional degree
would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy or dentistry.)
For many students, the Federal Pell Grant provides a foundation of financial aid to
which other types of financial aid may be added. For 2016-2017, Federal Pell Grant
awards range from $5,815 to $598 per academic school year as a full-time student (an
academic school year is defined as August through May). Students enrolled less than
full-time will have their actual Pell Grant award prorated accordingly.
The Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), unlike a loan, does not have to repaid.
The Illinois MAP Grant is awarded to Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois
colleges and demonstrate financial need. MAP Grants are limited based on the number
of applicants and funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly. The
Illinois MAP Grant covers Fall and Spring Semesters only. The MAP Grant does not cover
Summer Semesters. Please be aware that in light of state funding constraints, reductions
to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.
2019-2020 Illinois MAP Grant Information
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), unlike a loan, does
not have to be repaid. It is awarded to students who demonstrate the most high need
and is awarded on a first come, first serve basis. The FSEOG Grant covers Fall and
Spring Semesters only. The FSEOG Grant does not cover Summer Semesters.
The Student to Student Grant (STS), unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. The
STS program provides state matching grants for need-based awards. It is awarded to
students who demonstrate the most high need and is awarded on a first come, first
serve basis. (The STS Grant cannot be combined with the FSEOG Grant). The STS Grant
covers Fall and Spring Semesters only. The STS Grant does not cover Summer Semesters
Federal Work-Study provides student aide jobs for undergraduate and graduate students
with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses.
The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course
of study. Please Note: Being awarded Federal Work Study does not guarantee a job.
The student must still go through the job interview process and be hired.
Federal Direct loans, unlike grants, do need to be repaid. These are low interest,
government guaranteed loans. The U.S. Department of Education offers Direct Subsidized
Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of
higher education.
Federal PLUS loans are loans that parents of dependent, undergraduate students can
use to help pay education expenses. Unlike the Federal Stafford loans, the Federal
PLUS loans are not guaranteed. There is a credit check for the parents.
Scholarships are gifts, and unlike loans, they don't need to be repaid. Scholarships
are offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities,
religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Eligibility for scholarships
can be based on merit, need, community service, academic program and population specific.
For more information and/or to apply, please visit Scholarships
The Federal government and nonprofit organizations offer money for college to veterans,
active duty personnel, or those related to veterans or active duty personnel. For
more information, please visit
Veteran Services
* Requires the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, to be completed. Student (and parent, if dependent) will be required to create
a Federal Student Aid ID, FSA ID.
Office of Student Financial Assistance
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 2220, (630) 942-2251
Fax: (630) 942-2151
Regular Hours
Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
