The Office of Student Financial Assistance will be offering Virtual FAFSA Completion Sessions and hosting a Financial Aid Webinar Series on various financial aid topics. For further information, call (630) 942-2251 or email financialaid@cod.edu.
FAFSA Assistance
Before filing your 2022-2023 FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, preview what to expect when filing the 2022-2023 FAFSA and hear what some of the most common mistakes made when filing the FAFSA.
If you need help filing your 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, please sign up for a 45 minute Virtual Session.
- The 2022-2023 FAFSA covers Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023
- The 2022-2023 Alt Application covers Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
- The 2021-2022 FAFSA covers Fall 2021, Spring 2022 and Summer 2022
- The 2021-2022 Alt Application covers Fall 2021 and Spring 2022
All students are required to have their FSA ID set up prior to attending a session. Students can set up a FSA ID at studentaid.gov If Dependent, at least one parent must have a FSA ID set up, as well.
- For your 2021-2022 FAFSA/Alt Application, 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
- For your 2022-2023 FAFSA/Alt Application, you will need a copy of your 2020 Federal Tax Return, 1040. If dependent, you will also need a copy of your parent's 2020 Federal Tax Return, 1040
Session Dates and Time
Please check back later for additional sessions.
Students can also reach out to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, ISAC, Corps member below for one on one help with their FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
Yasmeen Ragab
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
ISACorps | College of DuPage District
Yasmeen.Ragab@illinois.gov
(630) 423-1421
she/her/hers
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. If you are unable to attend a session, all sessions will be recorded.
Buying Books and Paying Tuition with Financial Aid
Wednesday, Jan. 12
Depending on a student’s financial aid offer, there may be funds available for the student to purchase books with their financial aid.
This session will go over how to purchase books at the College of DuPage Bookstore with your financial funds, as well as how we determine how much funds are available for book purchases.
Financial Aid Process Overview
Wednesday, Jan. 26
Filing the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is the first step in applying for federal and/or state aid. Once the student submits the application, the Federal Processor, the State of Illinois and College of DuPage review the data to determine a student’s eligibility for the various financial aid programs.
This session will go over the financial aid process from application to verification to your offer letter.
Student Employment
Wednesday, Feb. 2
Are you looking to work on campus? The College of DuPage is currently hiring student workers to work in a variety of offices and departments across the campus, from the admissions office to the police department to the fitness center.
This session will go over how Student Employment works at College of DuPage and as the Federal Work Study Program. Federal Work Study allows you to work on campus and earn funds through the Federal Work Study Program.
Financial Aid & Satisfactory Academic Progress
Wednesday, Feb. 9
Students receiving financial aid – whether grants or loans – are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, SAP. Students who are not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress do risk losing their financial aid eligibility.
This session will explain what the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is, as well as what options you have if you do lose your financial aid eligibility.
Applying for Scholarships
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Scholarships are an opportunity for students to complete their education without having to incur student loan debt. Eligibility varies, as do the amount of each scholarship. Scholarships may be based on academic achievement, financial need, field of study and population.
This session will go over how to apply for scholarships using Academic Works, as well as tips for writing a strong scholarship essay.
Financial Aid and Professional Judgment
Wednesday, March 2
Eligibility for financial aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is based on financial information from two years prior to the start of the school year. The Office of Student Financial Assistance recognizes that households can experience changes in income or other finances that are not reflected in their information from two years prior.
This session will go over the Professional Judgment Process that allows the Office of Student Financial Assistance to re-evaluate a student’s aid eligibility based on their current circumstances.
Financial Aid and Summer Classes
Wednesday, March 16
Financial aid – whether grants or loans – is generally awarded based on an academic year of Fall and Spring Semester. Depending on what financial aid was used for Fall and Spring can affect the amount of financial aid available for Summer Semester.
This session will go over Year Round Pell, as well as Direct Loan eligibility for Summer Semester.
Financial Aid and 3+1 Programs
Wednesday, April 6
College of DuPage has partnered with prominent universities to offer high-caliber degree programs at a greatly reduced cost. This allows students to take three years of classes at College of DuPage, with the fourth year taught by the partner universities on College of DuPage's campus.
This session will go over how your financial aid is processed by College of DuPage and the partner university when completing the 3+1 Program.
Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress
Wednesday, April 20
Students receiving financial aid – whether grants or loans – are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, SAP. Students who are not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress do risk losing their financial aid eligibility.
This session will explain what the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is, as well as what options you have if you do lose your financial aid eligibility.
FAFSA Simplification and Updates
Wednesday, May 4
The FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020 will not only change the way students apply for financial aid but also how eligibility is determined.
This session will go over upcoming changes to FAFSA that impact how students apply for financial aid.
Federal Direct Loans and Repayment
Wednesday, May 18
The Federal Direct Loan Program allows students to borrow funds to pay for their college education. These are low interest, government guaranteed loans. One of the benefits of the Federal Direct Loan Program is repayment does not begin until 6 months after a student has graduated or dropped below half-time status.
This session will go over the Federal Direct Loan Program and what you need to know before entering repayment on your Federal Direct Loans.
- Creating and using your FSA ID
- Applying for Scholarships
- Understanding your Award Letter
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Financial Aid & Paying For Classes
- Understanding Direct Loans
- Financial Aid & Purchasing Your Books
- Protect Your Identity: Don't Get Scammed
- 2022-2023 FAFSA & Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid Preview
- Special Circumstances & Professional Judgment
Contact Information
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 6 p.m.
Wednesday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact Information
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 6 p.m.
Wednesday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.