Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many ways to make college, career training, and other postsecondary plans more affordable. Financial aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Scholarships may come from colleges, community organizations, and other partners. Begin with Federal Student Aid to complete the FAFSA, then explore scholarships you may be eligible for.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- FAFSA Graduation Requirements
- FAFSA Information
- Alternative Applications
- Non-Participation Form
- Information Nights & Workshops
FAFSA Graduation Requirements
Illinois requires all public high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, if applicable, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid as a graduation requirement (Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/22-87, Sec. 22-87).
To meet graduation requirements students must complete one of the following:
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FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is an application for federal student aid. You need to complete the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans.
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Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid allows qualifying undocumented students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid to apply for Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants to attend eligible Illinois colleges, universities, and career education programs.
The pre-screening questions in the application will help you determine if you are qualifying undocumented student who is not eligible for federal financial aid.
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NonParticipation Form
Alternatively, a parent/guardian must file a waiver if they choose to opt a child out of this graduation requirement by completing the Nonparticipation form; students who are least 18 years of age or legally emancipated may complete the form themselves.
FAFSA Information
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is an application for federal student aid. You need to complete the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans.
Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and it gives you access to federal student aid—the largest source of aid—to help you pay for college or career/trade school.
In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. Some private aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.
Prior to completing FAFSA, students and parent/guardian(s) need to create their own FSA ID accounts before starting the application.
Alternative Applications
The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid allows qualifying undocumented students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid to apply for Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants to attend eligible Illinois colleges, universities, and career education programs.
The pre-screening questions in the application will help you determine if you are a qualifying undocumented student who is not eligible for federal financial aid.
See the Alternative Application User Guide on the ISAC website for more information.
Non-Participation Form
A parent/guardian must submit a waiver to opt a student out of the FAFSA completion graduation requirement by completing an online NonParticipation Form. Students who are 18 years or older or legally emancipated may complete the form on their own.
To complete the online NonParticipation Form through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website, you must first create an ISAC account to access the student portal.
Information Nights & Workshops
Completion of the FAFSA, Alternative Application or NonParticipation Form is a graduation requirement in Illinois.
In the event you miss a D211 presentation or completion workshop, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) host presentations across the state. You can find an event near you on the ISAC website.
In addition, The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) can supplement the support that high school college counselors provide by offering one-on-one assistance for high school students and their families. Connect with your local ISACorps Member.
Scholarships
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships can be found in MaiaLearning under the Financial Plan tab. Students can search national scholarships based on their personal criteria.
Local scholarships will be added to MaiaLearning as they become available.
How to search and save scholarships
- Step 1
Click the Financial Plan tab. - Step 2
Enter as much information as possible in the fields on the left-hand side. Once complete, click SEARCH to explore national scholarships available for you to apply for. - Step 3
Switch to the Local Scholarships tab and utilize the School and District filters:- School: Scholarships exclusive to students at your school (e.g., PHS students only).
- District: Scholarships available for all District 211 students.
- Step 4
Want to save scholarships for later? Click the heart icon on the far right side under the WISHLIST column. - Step 5
Any scholarships you “heart” will be saved under My Financial Aid Awards for easy tracking. Once you’ve applied for a scholarship, check the Applied box to keep track of your applications.
Many colleges and universities offer their own scholarships, so we encourage students to check their websites or work with their financial aid office.
Some reminders about scholarships:
- You should never pay for a scholarship application!
- Fill out scholarship applications well in advance of the deadline. Some give priority to the order of receipt.
- If the scholarship requires a transcript to be sent, see the registrar at least 3 days prior to the due date.
- Financial need is considered for many, but not all, scholarships.
- Apply for several scholarships because there are no guarantees you will receive one particular scholarship.
- Colleges and Universities offer their own scholarships. For additional scholarship information, please contact each school directly or visit their website for the most accurate information.
Harper Promise Scholarship
Harper Promise Scholarship
A scholarship offered to every student in Harper's district that would fund up to two years of college. Under the Harper College Promise Scholarship Program, every student in the district can earn up to two years of tuition if they're willing to do the things in high school that will make them successful in college and in the workplace. All freshmen enrolling in District 211 prior to the start of the 9th-grade year are automatically included in the Promise Scholarship program. Freshmen students who enroll during the first semester of 9th grade will have the opportunity to complete an application between October 15 – and December 15. Once students are enrolled in the Harper Promise Scholarship program communication will come from a Harper College representative.
View Harper College's Website detailing the full set of Promise Scholarship Program Information.
Harper Promise Community Service
Community service is part of the Harper Promise Scholarship expectations each year. All Harper Promise students must log their service hours in MaiaLearning by entering each activity under Experiences. Use the Hours Logging Guides to walk you through the steps and make sure your hours are documented correctly.
Hours Logging Guide (GoogleSlides)
Out of District Waiver for Promise Students
If a student resides within the boundaries of the D211, D214, or D220 school district but is outside of the boundaries of Harper College, that student may receive a waiver to be charged in-district tuition if they have earned the Promise Scholarship. The waiver will be given on an annual basis (Fall and Spring semester), and the student must maintain Promise eligibility to receive the waiver for a second year. If the student falls out of Promise eligibility, they would not be eligible for this in-district tuition waiver starting the following Fall. They would be encouraged to pursue the Business EdVantage Program if they wish to remain eligible for In-District tuition.