FAQ

Eligibility for Illinois Promise is determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid using a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  There is no separate application for the Illinois Promise scholarship.

Click here for more information about eligibility.

Illinois Promise funding will be provided to eligible students for up to 8 semesters (fall and spring only)  of attendance at Illinois if they continue to meet eligibility criteria. Annual renewal of the FAFSA is required, and scholars must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. The 4 years of eligibility for Illinois Promise begins when a student enrolls at the university and runs continuously, whether the student is enrolled in each subsequent term or not.

Scholars with an extenuating circumstance that requires enrollment beyond 4 years may petition for funding. Be aware that appeals are only approved in highly exceptional situations. Scholars are typically required to submit documentation in support of their petition.

The Illinois Promise Appeal may be found here.

Please contact the OSFA for specific information related to Illinois Promise Appeals.  If you want to talk through your situation as you contemplate or prepare to submit an appeal, you could and should also connect with your I-Promise Coach.

On-campus jobs can be found using the Virtual Job Board. In addition to the jobs listed on that site, we also partner with on-campus organizations like the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, to host special job fairs exclusively for I-Promise Scholars. Talk to your coach for more information. 

Yes, I-Promise Scholars must complete and submit a new FAFSA for each academic year in which they are enrolled as undergraduate students. Information from the FAFSA is used to determine continued eligibility.

For assistance completing your FAFSA, please reach out to your Coach for additional information and resources.

In addition to submitting a FAFSA each year, meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and meeting Illinois Promise renewal requirements, we recommend that Scholars:

1. Attend New Scholar Orientation (new Scholars only)
2. Meet with their Promise Coach during their first semester on campus (new Scholars only)
3. Meet with their Promise Coach a minimum of once per academic year (continuing students)
4. Attend 2 Illinois Promise events per semester (first-year Scholars) and 2 Illinois Promise events per year each subsequent year
5. Connect with Illinois Promise via LinkedIn
6. Follow Illinois Promise via Facebook or Instagram @illinois_promise
7. Complete the Program Evaluation twice per year--we'll email it to you toward the end of the fall and spring semesters

Great question!  Here's a brief answer: When your aid disburses just before the semester begins, it pays down any charges on your student account at that time (tuition, fees, and University Housing charges if you are living in a university-owned residence hall).  In the event that you do not have a University Housing charge on your student account when aid disburses, because you are living in Private Certified Housing, a sorority/fraternity, private apartment, house, etc., then your remaining balance, after your account is paid down with existing charges, will refund to you and then you’re responsible for using that amount across the semester (including all breaks) to cover room and board expenses.

Be sure to talk with your coach for additional information on how to budget for room and board expenses when living in an apartment, house, private certified residence hall, etc.

Be sure to also utilize the Off-Campus Community Living office. They can review your lease for you to ensure that everything looks as it should.  But, beyond that, they also have TONS of useful tips and information for renters, including what your rights are as a tenant and tips on understanding specific language used in leases.

No. The MAP Grant is calculated based on the total number of credit hours you are enrolled in each semester. If you fall below 15 credit hours, the MAP Grant will be lowered by 1/15th for each hour below 15 credit hours.  HOWEVER, as an Illinois Promise student, this reduction will be offset by an equal increase in your Illinois Promise award. This means that you only need to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring term.

Your financial aid award includes $600 per semester for books and supplies; however, it’s important to note that this is a standard allowance that is the same for all students.  Depending on your courses, the costs of books and supplies may exceed that amount, but additional financial aid will not be disbursed to cover those overages. When your financial aid award disburses, it first will pay down your tuition and fees, plus any room and board fees if you’re living in a university residence hall.  Any remaining funds, if there are any, after these direct university charges are paid, is then refunded to you—usually about a week before classes begin.  That refund is meant to help pay for things like books and supplies, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses.  Another option for Illinois Promise students is the “Pay-It-Later” program at the Illini Union Bookstore, which allows you to charge up to $600 off books and supplies per semester, which is then repaid later in the term. This option is ONLY available through the Illini Union Bookstore. Click here for more information on the Pay-It-Later program.

Illinois Promise does not limit funding based on your major. In the event you decide to change majors, Illinois Promise will cover any tuition differences. Please be aware that some colleges and academic departments charge special experiential learning fees for their students.  These fees are not covered by the scholarship.

The Illinois Promise scholarship does not fund winter or summer term classes. You may reach out to Finacial Aid for information on funding options that are available for winter/summer terms. 

You can become more involved in Illinois Promise by attending our events, connecting with your Coach, keeping up with our LinkedIn group, and applying for a position with our student leadership group,  the Illinois Promise Council (applications open every spring semester!)

Stay up to date on upcoming IP events by following us on Instagram @illinois_promise