Financial Aid

Illinois MAP Grant

By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

The Illinois MAP Grant is one of Western's major sources of funds for undergraduate students who meet Illinois residency requirements. Students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 for consideration as funding is limited.

A MAP Grant award is based on 15 semester hours of attendance. If your course load is between 3 and 14 hours per semester, your MAP Grant will be prorated based on your enrolled hours. The MAP Grant will not pay for audit, graduate, or credit-by-examination coursework, and cannot exceed actual charges for tuition and university fees.

Grants

Eligibility for MAP is tracked by the equivalent number of semester credit hours of MAP benefits paid on your behalf, with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 15 MAP Paid Credit Hours being used per semester. MAP Paid Credit Hours will still be used even if a student withdraws or does not pass coursework.

There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is the equivalent to approximately four and a half year of full-time enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs through the ISAC Student Portal.

Benefits

The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a "State of IL MAP Grant (Est)." Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible. MAP grants can only be applied towards actual tuition and fee charges up to 15 credit hours per semester. Award amounts will be prorated based on eligibility and enrollment.

Your MAP award may be adjusted if you receive any other type of assistance which pays for tuition and/or fees, OR if you receive gift aid (scholarships and grants) in excess of your cost of attendance.

Application

To be considered for the MAP grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Additional information is available in the Financial Aid Handbook.

Awards (required school issued award letter language)

Students eligible for the Illinois MAP Grant will be notified via their award offer. Award offers are available on STARS. By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.

The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a "State of IL MAP Grant (Est)". Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.

There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of full-time enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you mayaccess a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal.

Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may be an indicator that you are eligible for state or federal benefits to assist you with cost of living expenses such as food or housing. For information about programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 1-800-843-6154 or see their website for eligibility and application information, or contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 1-800-359-2163 or their website.

MAP Rights and Responsibilities

View the MAP Grant Rights and Responsibilities. 

Additional MAP information

Retaining Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act, allows students that are unable to complete the FAFSA for specific reasons to apply for the Illinois MAP grant. Undocumented students and transgender students who have not registered for Selective Service, may still be eligible to apply through ISAC.org to receive the Illinois MAP grant. If you believe you qualify for this alternative application to the FAFSA visit the ISAC website to apply.