Financial Aid

Programs
Students of the program may be eligible for federal student financial aid by way of grants (money which is not paid back) and loans (money which is paid back). Qualified students are eligible to receive financial assistance through the following federal student financial aid programs:

1. Federal Pell Grant Program
2. Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program
3. Federal Family Education Loan Program (formerly Guaranteed Loan Program)
   • Subsidized
   • Unsubsidized
   • Federal PLUS Loan Program (parent loans)
4. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program (MAP)

To be eligible to receive federal student financial aid you must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate
• Be accepted and enrolled in the School
• Maintain satisfactory academic and clinical progress while enrolled
• If required by law, register or arrange to register with the Selective Service
• Not be in default of any prior student loans or owe repayment of any federal student aid

How to apply
The application process begins the first week of January preceding the academic year you plan to attend. Although you will not receive an official financial aid offer until after you have been admitted to the School, you do not have to wait for an admissions decision to apply for financial aid.

The School requires all financial aid applicants to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You may contact the School to receive a Student Financial Aid Information and Application Packet or access this information through the U.S. Department of Education website: www.studentaid.ed.gov. The website gives access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the Web (FAFSA on the Web), The Student Guide and other federal student aid publications, and education resources.

Useful websites

• Help completing the FAFSA - www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA, www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Federal Student Aid Information Center - 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
• Voter Registration Information - www.eac.gov/register_vote.asp

Counseling
The total amount of financial aid a student receives determines the financial aid 'package.' The Financial Aid Officer puts together a financial aid 'package' based on the student's eligibility for awards, needs, and availability of funds.

Following acceptance of the offer of admission, all students are contacted to make an appointment with the School's financial aid officer/advisor.

Initial consultations assure that all-appropriate information has been submitted and documented to determine the student's financial aid package. At this time, additional financial aid information is reviewed and distributed. This information includes the disbursement of funds (how and when), policies on federal refunds and repayment upon withdrawal, loan exit counseling, student rights and responsibilities.

Consultations are scheduled through the school office with scheduled appointment dates. Questions concerning financial aid are directed to the Financial Aid Officer, and in her absence, to the Director or Secretary/Registrar. Our office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.