Students can apply for financial assistance with help in paying their tuition and
fees with a wide variety of financial assistance programs. Many students receive some
type of financial assistance to help fund their education. If you are interested in
applying for financial assistance, the Office of Student Financial Aid is here to
help you sort through all of the information to make financially responsible decisions.
A Federal Pell Grant 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.
The Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) 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.
2022-2023 Illinois MAP Grant Information
The
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 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.
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 Direct loans, the Federal PLUS loans are not guaranteed.
There is a credit check for the parents.
Scholarships do not have to 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
Email: financialaid@cod.edu
Fax: (630) 942-2151
Regular Hours
Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
