Financial Aid Workshops and Events

Students who are looking for assistance with completing the 2021-2022 or 2020-2021 FAFSA can sign up for a 30 minute one-on-one Zoom FAFSA Completion Session.  Students are strongly encouraged to have started their FAFSA prior to attending a session. All students are required to have their FSA ID set up prior to attending a session.  Students can set up a FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov If Dependent, at least one parent must have a FSA ID set up, as well.

• If filing your 2021-2022 FAFSA, you will need a copy of your 2019 Federal Tax Return, 1040. If dependent, you will also need a copy of your parent's 2019 Federal Tax Return, 1040
• If filing your 2020-2021 FAFSA, you will need a copy of your 2018 Federal Tax Return, 1040. If dependent, you will also need a copy of your parent's 2018 Federal Tax Return, 1040

Session Dates and Time

• Friday, April 16: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 30: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 14: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 28: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

 NOTE: After you sign up, you will receive a separate email confirmation with the Zoom link.

Students can also reach out to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, ISAC, Corps members below for one on one help with their FAFSA.

Yanika Barfield
Phone: (630) 352-9183
Email: Yanika.Barfield@illinois.gov

Elizabeth Barrera
Phone (630) 689-7759
email: Elizabeth.Barrera@illinois.gov
Additional Language: Spanish
Virtual Office Hours: Mondays, 11 a.m. to noon (illinois.webex.com/illinois)

The Office of Student Financial Assistance will be hosting monthly webinars via Zoom on various financial aid topics. If you are looking to learn more about the financial aid process and scholarships, we encourage you to attend.

Verification and Taxes

Filing the FAFSA is the first step in applying for Federal and State financial aid. However, there is a process called Verification that students may be required to complete before an award letter is available. This session will talk about the verification process and what information is requested. We will also talk about the IRS Data Retrieval process when entering your tax information on your FAFSA.

• Wednesday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Understanding your Award Letter

This session will help to breakdown your award letter and talk about the types of financial aid. We will also go over eligibility requirements for each program and how your award may be adjusted based on whether you are a full time or part time student.

• Wednesday, May 5 at 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students receiving financial aid – whether grants or loans – are required to maintain satisfactory academic standards. This session will go over the impact dropping classes and failing classes may have on your financial aid eligibility.

• Wednesday, June 2 at 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 2 at 5:30 p.m