Financial Assistance

The primary purpose of the financial aid program at Governors State University is to assist students in obtaining the financial resources necessary to cover their educational costs.

The Financial Aid Office encourages all students to apply early for financial assistance. Financial aid programs are designed to supplement student or family resources by bridging the gap between costs and the student’s or family’s measured ability to pay. The analysis of a student’s or family’s financial strength includes consideration of current income, assets, family size, number of family members in college, and any other factors that seriously alter a student’s or family’s financial situation.

Eligibility Criteria

Requirements for federal and state sponsored financial aid vary, but generally, a student must:

1. be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident;
2. be admitted to a degree program; and
3. be enrolled at least on a half-time basis (six hours) for most forms of aid.

Programs Available

The Financial Aid Office administers and coordinates aid funds from federal, state, university, and private sources. The various aid programs available may be divided into four broad categories: grants/scholarships, loans, work, and tuition waivers. Grants and scholarships are referred to as “gift aid” since they are not repaid. Loans (generally low interest) must be repaid, with payments usually beginning six months after leaving school. Work is often available during the academic year. In addition, tuition waivers covering in-state tuition for both undergraduate and graduate students are available.

Application Procedures

The Financial Aid Office accepts applications on a year-round basis. Students should apply for financial assistance when the decision to apply to at Governors State University is made.

Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for detailed information on available programs and application forms. The application process varies from institution to institution, and students must follow the procedures required at Governors State University to ensure timely processing of their requests. The financial aid application is not complete until all required forms, need analysis reports, and supporting documents are on file with the Financial Aid Office.

To determine eligibility for all forms of need-based aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students with completed applications received at the Financial Aid Office by April 1 will receive priority consideration for campus-based financial aid. Students who complete their applications after April 1 will be considered for campus-based aid only if the funds are available. Additional information and supporting documentation may be requested if the application is selected for verification.

Financial Aid Disbursement

The first financial aid posting for each semester is 10 days prior to the first day of class for students who are enrolled at least half-time, have accepted their financial aid, and are maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Direct deposits and refund checks are completed within two to three days after financial aid is posted to student accounts.

Veterans Assistance

For information concerning veterans benefits, contact the Coordinator for Veterans and Military Personnel.

Please refer to “Repeating Courses,” “Independent Study,” and “Audit Registration” in the Academic Regulations section for pertinent information.

Federal, State, and GSU Funded Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Tuition Waivers, and Student Employment

Federal Grants, Loans, and Tuition Waivers

Federal Pell Grant

Available to undergraduate students based on need. Must be degree-seeking and enrolled for at least one credit hour. Applies to tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Available to undergraduate students with exceptional need and eligibility for the Pell Grant. Must be a degree-seeking student and enrolled for at least six credit hours. SEOG is a source of funds to supplement other federal aid programs (such as the Pell Grant) if the student continues to show need. Applies to tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. No repayment obligations.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Available to undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students. Students qualify based on financial need. Part-time positions are available in a variety of areas throughout the university.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Perkins Loan

Available to undergraduate and graduate students based on need. Must be degree-seeking students enrolled for at least six credit-hours. Low interest (5 percent) loans available with repayment beginning nine months after graduation or when a student drops below half-time status. Long-term repayment includes cancellation of debt under certain specific conditions.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

Available to undergraduate and graduate students based on need. Must be a degree-seeking student and enrolled in at least six credit hours. Variable interest rate, adjusted annually on July 1, not to exceed 8.25 percent (current rate = 6.0 percent). Repayment will begin six months after graduation or when a student drops below half-time status. Maximum loans of $5,500 for undergraduates and $8,500 for graduates each academic year.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA. Long-term repayment includes partial cancellation of debt under certain specific circumstances. Forms available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Do not have to demonstrate financial need. Must be a degree-seeking student and enrolled for at least six credit hours. Interest rates for new loans change annually on July 1, not to exceed 8.25 percent (current rate = 5.60 percent). Maximum loan of $5,500 for undergraduates and $8,500 for graduates each academic year. Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed. Students may pay the interest while in school, or it will be added to the principal balance when entering repayment. Long-term repayment includes partial cancellation of debt under certain specific conditions.

Apply to:  Complete the FAFSA form available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs Educational Benefits

Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Veterans, reservists, current members of the National Guard, those eligible for vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans, and spouses and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans with benefits determined by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Recipients of the monthly educational benefit must complete an application each term of enrollment at GSU for continued eligibility, monthly stipends, and other benefits. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: GSU Financial Aid Office.

TEACH Grant

Available to undergraduate and graduate students, who are committed to teach full time in high-need subject areas for at least four years in school districts that serve students from low-income families. Must be enrolled for at least 1 credit hour. Must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

State Scholarships, Grants, and Tuition Waivers

ISAC Monetary Award

Available to undergraduate students based on need. Must be a degree-seeking student enrolled in at least three credit-hours and a State of Illinois resident. Applies to tuition and fees only. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: Complete the FAFSA forms online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Illinois Veterans Grant

Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Must be a veteran with an honorable discharge or be serving in a foreign country in a time of hostility and be an Illinois resident six months before entering the service and have claimed residency six months after discharge. Must have served at least one year after, or less than one year before, August 11, 1967. Covers tuition and mandatory fees. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois National Guard Scholarship

Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Enlisted member, lieutenant, or captain with at least one year of service in the National Guard. Covers tuition, activity, and graduation fees. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: National Guard Unit or Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Police, Fire, Correctional Officer Grant Program

Available to undergraduates and graduate students. Students qualify if they are a surviving child or spouse of an Illinois police, fire, or corrections officer. Surviving children must be the natural or adopted child of the deceased and no more than 25 years old at the time of enrollment. Grant covers tuition and mandatory fees. No repayment obligations.

Apply to: Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Dependents of MIA/POW Scholarship

Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Dependents of Illinois residents officially declared a prisoner of war, missing in action, killed, or 100 percent disabled. Awarded by the Department of Defense. Covers tuition, activity, and graduation fees, consisting of four calendar years of full-time enrollment, including summers or 120 credit-hours. No repayment obligations.

Apply to: Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs in Springfield, IL.

Golden Apple Scholarship

Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are Illinois residents and who are certified teachers or students preparing for certification. Students must be enrolled in at least six credit-hours and agree to teach in a teacher shortage area. Scholarship is $5,000 to $10,000 per year, which covers tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. Repayment is required only if the student does not teach in the shortage area for a specified period of time.

Apply to: Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Collegezone.com.

Minority Teachers of Illinois

Available to undergraduate minority students who are Illinois residents preparing for teacher certification. Student must agree to teach upon graduation. Student must be enrolled for 12 or more credit-hours. Scholarship is $2,500 per term for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

Apply to: Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Collegezone.com.

Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver

Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are Illinois residents seeking initial certification in an area of special education. Students must agree to teach in special education upon graduation. Waiver covers tuition and fees.

Apply to: Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois Baccalaureate Nursing Assistance Program

Available to undergraduate students and registered nurses who are Illinois residents enrolled in the Nursing program, and in need of financial assistance. Available in the form of a grant or a loan. Repayment required if student does not practice in Illinois for specified period.

Apply to: Illinois Department of Public Health, Springfield, IL (information and forms available at GSU in the College of Health and Human Services.)

Department of Rehabilitation Services Scholarshi

Available to undergraduate students who have an employment disability as determined by the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Tuition assistance with no repayment obligation.

Apply to: Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services, Springfield, IL, or your local DORS offices.

Illinois General Assembly Tuition Waiver

Available to undergraduate and graduate students where financial need is a factor. Each member of the Illinois General Assembly is authorized to award the equivalent of two four-year scholarships annually to constituents. Covers tuition and fees. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: State senator or representative.

GSU Scholarships, Tuition Waivers, and Student Employment

GSU Undergraduate Tuition Waiver

Available to undergraduate students (criteria may vary by college). Must be enrolled for at least six credit-hours. Tuition waivers available for a maximum of two terms. Covers tuition only. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: College deans (CBPA, CAS, CHHS, COE) or unit directors.

GSU Graduate Tuition Waiver

Available to graduate students (criteria may vary by college). Must be enrolled for at least six credit hours. Tuition waivers available for a maximum of two terms. Covers tuition only. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: College deans (CBPA, CAS, CHHS, COE) or unit directors.

GSU Minority Graduate Tuition Waiver

Available to minority graduate students (criteria may vary by college). Must be enrolled for at least six credit hours. Tuition waivers available for a maximum of four terms. Covers tuition only. No repayment obligation.

Apply to: College deans (CBPA, CAS, CHHS, COE) or unit directors.

Supervising Student Teacher Tuition Waiver

Available to a current teacher who has supervised a GSU student teacher. Must be used within 12 months of being issued. Covers tuition, fees, and conference fees for up to three credit hours. No repayment obligation

Apply to: GSU College of Education (COE).

Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver

Must be 65 or older. Eligibility criteria includes a restriction that annual income cannot exceed a certain amount. This income restriction amount is $21,218 for a household containing one person; $28,480 for a household containing two persons; $35,740 for a household containing three or more persons.

Apply to: GSU Financial Aid Office.

Graduate Assistantship

Available to graduate students only. Must be degree-seeking and enrolled for at least six credit hours. Students earn $400 to $600 per month and a tuition waiver for 20 hours of work per week.

Apply to: Dean’s office of college of enrolled major (CBPA, CAS, CHHS, COE).

Student Employment

Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Do not have to demonstrate financial need, but must be degree-seeking and enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours and not on academic probation or in default on any education loans. Part-time positions are available in a variety of areas throughout the university.

Apply to: GSU Financial Aid Office.

Job Location and Development

Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled for at least six credit-hours at GSU. Part-time, off-campus positions.

Apply to: Career Services Office at GSU.

Latino Achievement Scholarship

Eligibility: New undergraduate and graduate Latino degree-seeking students with a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0 from prior school and enrolled in a minimum of six credit-hours at GSU.

Amount of Award: Tuition for a maximum of six terms if a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. is maintained.

Apply to: Complete an application (available in the Financial Aid Office) and submit a letter describing educational and career goals, community service and extracurricular activities, and how this scholarship will help achieve those goals.

Selection: Applications will be reviewed and recipients selected by the Screening Committee.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicant must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa with a 3.5 G.P.A. for all prior course work. Be enrolled as a full-time student (12 hours or more) beginning in the fall term and admitted to a degree program at Governors State University. Applicant may not possess a previous bachelor’s degree. Only two Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships are awarded at Governors State University per academic year.

Amount of Award: Full-time, in-state tuition for two terms. The scholarship is renewable for an additional two terms for the next academic year if a 3.5 cumulative grade point average is maintained at Governors State University.

Apply to: Applications can be obtained May 1 through June 30 in the Financial Aid Office.

Selection: The financial aid director will notify recipients by August 15.

GSU Foundation and Alumni Scholarships

Many scholarships are offered by the GSU Foundation and the Alumni Association. Each year the GSU Foundation devotes great effort to raising funds in order to recognize academic excellence and to assist deserving students who need financial help to continue their studies.

Scholarships

Below is a list of scholarships that have been offered in the past by the GSU Foundation and Alumni Association. Not every scholarship is offered each year. A list of actual scholarship offerings for the academic year is posted on the GSU website at www.govst.edu/scholarships.

List of Possible Scholarships offered to students in all colleges: Note: Not all scholarships are offered each year

• Academic Advisors’ Scholarship
• Ronald Bean Community Service Scholarship
• GSU Civil Service Employees Endowed Scholarship
• Community College Honors Scholarship
• First Midwest Bank Scholarship
• Follett Bookstore Textbook Scholarship
• Dr. Lowell Goldberg Health or Community Service Endowed Award
• Donald W. Hansen Memorial Endowed Scholarship
• Jassac Charitable Foundation Scholarship Honoring Lorine S. Samuels
• Manilow Scholarship for Students Who Achieve Intellectual Excellence
• Francisco Montalvo Endowed Scholarship
• Rich Township Community Scholarships
• Dr. Keith W. Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship

List of Possible Scholarships offered to CAS students: Note: Not all scholarships are offered each year.

• Dr. Daniel Bernd Endowed Scholarship in English Literature
• David Bernstein Endowed Scholarship in English
• Criminal Justice Student Society Scholarship
• Dental Personnel Placement Services, Inc. Community Service Scholarship
• Dr. William E. Engbretson Endowed Scholarship in Art & Sculpture
• Lorraine Fontana Endowed Scholarship
• Mary L. Fronczak Memorial Scholarship
• Joyce E. Gordon Scholarship
• Leo and Margaret Goodman-Malamuth Endowed Scholarship in Media Communications Technology
• Stephen R. Hyzny, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
• Mathematics Student Teaching Scholarship
• The Harry P. McHale Memorial Scholarship
• Cita V. Milbergs Scholarship in Communications
• Ralph R and Dolores Turner Endowed Scholarship in Interdisciplinary Learning

List of Possible Scholarships offered to CBPA students: Note: Not all scholarships are offered each year.

• American Logistics Association Endowed Scholarship
• CBPA Student Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship
• Dr. Curtis J. and Mrs. Gina Crawford Endowed Scholarship in Business
• Dr. Lowell W. Culver Fellowship in Public Administration
• Donald Dolan Endowed Business Scholarship
• Lorraine Fontana Endowed Scholarship
• Donald and Helen Morrison Endowed Scholarship in Business
• Wilbur L. Morrison Endowed Scholarship in Business
• Martin Anthonisen Scholarship
• Joyce E. Gordon Scholarship
• Great Lakes Bank Endowed Scholarship in Accounting/Finance/MIS and Management/Marketing
• Master of Publication Administration Scholarship
• Scholarship for Finance and Accounting Students
• Percy and Elizabeth Wagner Endowed Scholarship in Business/Finance

List of Possible Scholarships offered to COE students: Note: Not all scholarships are offered each year.

• David and Barbara Barr Endowed Scholarship
• Burton Collins Scholarship
• Dr. Judith A. Cooney Memorial Scholarship in Counseling
• Mary L. Fronczak Memorial Scholarship
• Dr. Basil Sklan Endowed Scholarship in Mental Health
• Great Lakes Bank Endowed Scholarship
• Matteson Rotary Club
• Dr. W. Prince and Elsie McLemore Endowed Scholarship for Elementary Education
• Ralph R and Dolores Turner Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education
• Dr. Peggy Williams Memorial Endowed Scholarship

List of Possible Scholarships offered to CHHS students: Note: Not all scholarships are offered each year.

• Accelerated Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Scholarship
• Addiction Studies Alumni Club Scholarship
• Axiom Integrated Services Scholarship
• Marie Gray Bertz Memorial Endowed Scholarship
• Kimberly Edwards Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
• Dr. Katherine Gavin Scholarship
• Joyce E. Gordon Scholarship
• Great Lakes Bank Endowed Scholarship
• James and Helen Hassett Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
• Henne and Kovach Family Award in Chemistry
• J-May Advanced Degree in Nursing Award
• Annie L. Lawrence Scholarship for Students of Health Sciences
• Monsignor Ignatius D. McDermott Endowed Scholarship
• Dr. W. Prince and Elsie McLemore Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy
• Virginia M. Pizza Endowed Scholarship in Geriatric Care
• Melissa Kay Solomon Scholarship for Addictions Studies