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- Federal, State, and GSU Funded Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Tuition Waivers, and Student Employment
- State Scholarships, Grants, and Tuition Waivers
- GSU Scholarships, Tuition Waivers, and Student Employment
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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:
- be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident;
- be admitted to a degree program; and
- 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 Office of Financial Aid processes aid on a year-round basis. Students are encouraged to apply for financial assistance annually, as early as October 1st to maximize their financial aid eligibility.
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.gov. Additional information and supporting documentation may be requested if the application is selected for verification.
Students should refer to the Office of Financial Aid website at www.govst.edu/finaid for detailed information on available types of aid and application forms/deadlines. The financial aid application is not complete until all required forms, and supporting documents are on file and verified by the Office of Financial Aid.
Financial Aid Disbursement
The first financial aid posting for each semester is after the census date 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 weeks after financial aid is posted to student accounts.
Veterans Assistance
For information concerning veterans benefits, contact the Veterans Resource Center at http://www.govst.edu/Campus_Life/Veterans_and_Military_Personnel/ or at 708-235-7597.
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.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.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.gov.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Available to undergraduate students based on need. Must be a degree-seeking student and enrolled in at least six credit hours. Repayment will begin six months after graduation or when a student drops below half-time status. Maximum loans of $5,500 for undergraduates.
Apply to: Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.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 half-time. Maximum loan of $7,500 for undergraduates and $20,500 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.
Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form available online at www.fafsa.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 Veterans Resource Center.
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.
For more information, please visit https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/launchTeach.action
Apply to: Complete the FAFSA form online at www.fafsa.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.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
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
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 Scholarship
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
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. Please refer the form available at www.govst.edu/finaid
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: Jobs for Jaguars
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: Jobs for Jaguars
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.
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. A list of actual scholarship offerings for the academic year is posted on the GSU website at http://www.govst.edu/foundationscholarships/.
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