Illinois Student Assistance Commission

​Valeria Berrum             
[email protected]                     
847-626-4096                       
Hablo Espanol

Hello! My job is to assist students in the college going process. That means that I am able to work with you on career exploration, college selection, test preparation, scholarship searches, application completion, and the financial aid process. If you prefer to meet during school hours I have office hours at Maine West on Thursdays from 10:00am-2:30pm

To schedule an appointment: https://booking.appointy.com/en-US/vberrum/bookings/service​

Overview of Financial Aid Process

Types of Financial Aid

About Financial Aid

Financial Aid is a federally funded program.  To qualify, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
 
The federal government prefers the online version, and you will get a faster response if you file online.  You can fill out the FAFSA beginning October 1st of your senior year. 
 
IT IS BEST TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA is BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK!  Do not wait until April to complete your FAFSA.  Many colleges have deadlines for financial aid, and the money will get allocated to those who apply early.  Thus, you and your parents will need to use ESTIMATES of your income. 

Click on the video below to learn more about the FAFSA:

Steps to Getting Started

1. Create a FSA ID – The FSA ID is your electronic passport to federal student aid online​​. An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). In order to create an FSA ID, please go to:  https://fsaid.ed.gov

To access an instructional video on how to create a FSA ID, click below:

2. GO TO FAFSA.GOV – Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as October 1st of your senior year. ​

Click below for a video on how to fill out the FAFSA:

Material to bring for FAFSA Completion Workshop

• FSA ID (studentaid.ed.gov) – one for the student and one for the parent(s)
• Driver’s License (student)
• Social Security Number (student and parents)
• If not a U.S. citizen, Alien Registration Number (student)
• Copies of 2015 income tax returns (or 2014 if 2015 is not yet complete)

    (i.e. 1040, 1040EZ-student and parents)

• Copies of 2015 W-2 forms (student and parents)
• Copies of any bank statements (student and parents)
• Records of business, farm, and/or assets (stocks, bonds, and other investments)
• Current mortgage statements for properties other than the family’s principal residence