FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION FOR SENIORS
FINANCIAL AID MYTHS, FACTS, & RESOURCES
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Beginning in January 2020, two applications for students to receive financial aid became available: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
More information is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (en español) and through this FAQs document (en español).
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Monica Masini
[email protected]
(847) 636-1259
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 Tuesdays from 10:06 a.m. (3rd period)-1:33 p.m. (6th period). I can also meet you outside of school if needed.
To schedule an appointment, you can:
- Email me at [email protected]
- Call me at (847) 636-1259
- Set up an appointment online
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 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:
Financial Aid Events
You don’t need to figure this all out on your own! We have numerous district programs to help understand the financial aid process. Parents can plan to begin attending these programs during their children’s freshman and sophomore years in order to prepare appropriately for college.
District Financial Aid Programs for 2019-20 @ Maine West
Wed., March 4, 7-8:30 p.m.
Need help with financial aid? Attend the Maine Township programs to get a clear understanding of what financial aid involves and how to apply.
Financial Aid Application Completion Workshops
For seniors and their parents only
Oct. 3 at Maine East High School – 5-7 p.m., Room 018
Oct. 17 at Maine West High School – 8:20 a.m.-3:19 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., Room H106
Oct. 21 at Maine South High School – 6:30-8:30 p.m., Library
Oct. 26 at Maine East High School – 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Room 230
Nov. 7 at Maine West High School – 4-7 p.m., Room H106
Feb. 6 at Maine West High School – 4-7 p.m., Room H106
Tuesdays4Tuition
Tuesdays in the CCRC: 10:06 a.m.-1:33 p.m.
Assistance will be available in English and Spanish (Spanish by appointment). Financial Aid Officers will be available to help students and their parents complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid or the FAFSA. Students may come during their free periods. They may also request a pass from a teacher to attend. A representative from ISAC will be available to answer questions and assist with your FAFSA.
Materials to bring for Financial Aid Application Workshops
- 2018 federal income tax returns (1040 or 1040-EZ), W-2’s, and other records of money earned (for student and a guardian/parent)
- Bank statements and records of businesses, farms, and other investments (if applicable, for student and a guardian/parent)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable, for student and a guardian/parent)
- Current mortgage statements for properties other than the family’s principal residence (if applicable)
- List of up to 10 colleges you would like to attend
FOR STUDENTS COMPLETING THE FAFSA:
- Social Security Number or an Alien Registration Number
- FSA ID (studentaid.ed.gov)
- Driver’s License (student)
- If guardian/parent is a U.S. citizen or has an Alien Registration Number, the guardian/parent’s Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number
FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS WHO HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND PLAN TO COMPLETE THE ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FOR ILLINOIS FINANCIAL AID:
- Be prepared to provide the student’s Social Security Number in the pre-screening section of the application
Important Websites
www.fafsa.ed.gov – The Federal Government’s website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
https://studentportal.isac.org/en/alternativeapp – The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
www.studentaid.ed.gov – The Department of Education’s informational website for planning for and funding post-high school education
www.collegeillinois.org – The State of Illinois’ website for students and parents. It has resources on many different topics related to college planning and paying for college.
studentaid.ed.gov – Get your FSAID for the FAFSA.
http://mappingyourfuture.org/paying/debtwizard/index.cfm – How much debt is safe for college loans? Look at this website for information.
www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide – A comprehensive guide about the federal student aid programs. It is available in English and Spanish.
College Resources for Hispanic Students Provides a variety of resources for students and their parents. These include scholarships, undocumented students, first-generation students, and more.