Financial Aid
Going to college? Need money? Financial Aid is important for every senior!
FAFSA Non Participation Form
The state of IL has made it a graduation requirement that students must either complete the FAFSA or complete a FAFSA Non-Participation form. We are able to verify FAFSA completion through the state of IL. Those who we can not verify must complete the non-participation form linked below. Students can complete the non-participation form and later decide to complete FAFSA for college.
The state of IL has made it a graduation requirement that students must either complete the FAFSA or complete a FAFSA Non-Participation form. We are able to verify FAFSA completion through the state of IL. Those who we can not verify must complete the non-participation form linked below. Students can complete the non-participation form and later decide to complete FAFSA for college.
Why Everyone Should Consider Filling our FAFSA
This is a great (very short) article about why every senior student should fill out FAFSA for college funding. This helps address the "why bother...we make too much money" issue.
This is a great (very short) article about why every senior student should fill out FAFSA for college funding. This helps address the "why bother...we make too much money" issue.
Financial Aid ProcessSenior students and their parents should begin the financial aid process as soon as possible after December 1, 2024.
Please visit the FSA ID button below to obtain your FSA ID in early/mid September. We recommend every student complete financial aid regardless of financial status. The official website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is www.fafsa.gov. It is important that you go to the correct website because this process should be FREE and there are scam sites out there! For your convenience, we have included a button below to directly link you to the FAFSA site! |
Financial Aid Completion NightCM will host two Financial Aid Completion Nights this year. The dates are currently set for Thursday January 30th, 2025 and Thursday, February 13th, 2025. These sessions are free of charge and are a great way to complete the FAFSA! Students and parents should plan to attend these events together. Please see the list below for documents that are needed to complete the FAFSA and considering bringing them with you. If you cannot attend one of these nights and have questions about completing the FAFSA, please reach out to your school counselor.
Can't attend one of these sessions? The Education Opportunity Center in Alton, IL provides free assistance with the completion of FAFSA. Consider scheduling an appointment with one of their representatives for help with submitting your FAFSA. Education Opportunity Center 11 W. 3rd Street, Alton, IL 62002 (618) 465-5124 |
ISAC College Q&A
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission now offers ISAC College Q&A - get your questions about college planning and financial aid answered via text message, and receive important information about college planning events and deadlines. To use the service simply text your first and last name to the phone number below.
618-223-6450
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission now offers ISAC College Q&A - get your questions about college planning and financial aid answered via text message, and receive important information about college planning events and deadlines. To use the service simply text your first and last name to the phone number below.
618-223-6450
The following documents are needed to complete the FAFSA:
FSA ID
* Create a FSA ID (verification typically takes 3-5 days. ID can be created at any time, so do it as soon as possible to get it out of the way)
Other Items Needed
* Social Security Number (parent and student)---be sure it is correct!
* Records of Income, such as income earned from work and business, child support paid or received and any other untaxed income. If available, refer to the W-2 Forms and the Federal Income Tax Return IRS 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. You should use your completed tax form from your 2023 income which you filed in April of 2024.
* Information about assets, such as cash, checking, savings, certificates of deposit, stock options, bonds, 529 plans and other college savings programs; and investment real estate, business and farm.
* Driver's license number, if the student has one
* Dates of birth, including month, day, and year for parents and student
* Month and year of marriage, separation, divorce or other change in marital status.
* Alien Registration Number, if not a US Citizen
FSA ID
* Create a FSA ID (verification typically takes 3-5 days. ID can be created at any time, so do it as soon as possible to get it out of the way)
- Both the student and parent will need an ID
- If parents are married filing jointly, only one parent needs to have an FSA ID.
- If a parent has filled out the FAFSA in the past either for themselves as a student or for an older child as a parent, they will use the same FSA ID. If you do not remember the login information, you can recover it.
- If parents are separated, divorced, or never married, only the parent who provides the most financial support will need an FSA ID
- If parents are married filing separately, both parents will need an FSA ID.
- FSA ID can be created/recovered here: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
Other Items Needed
* Social Security Number (parent and student)---be sure it is correct!
* Records of Income, such as income earned from work and business, child support paid or received and any other untaxed income. If available, refer to the W-2 Forms and the Federal Income Tax Return IRS 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. You should use your completed tax form from your 2023 income which you filed in April of 2024.
* Information about assets, such as cash, checking, savings, certificates of deposit, stock options, bonds, 529 plans and other college savings programs; and investment real estate, business and farm.
* Driver's license number, if the student has one
* Dates of birth, including month, day, and year for parents and student
* Month and year of marriage, separation, divorce or other change in marital status.
* Alien Registration Number, if not a US Citizen
Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
This is a new state program for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial aid to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a pathway for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants. For more information and to apply for the RISE aid, please visit the link below.
This is a new state program for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial aid to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a pathway for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants. For more information and to apply for the RISE aid, please visit the link below.
College Scholarship Service Profile
While this does NOT apply to every senior, some colleges/universities (mostly private schools) also require an additional form to determine non-governmental aid eligibility. Only complete this process if your college/university requires it.
While this does NOT apply to every senior, some colleges/universities (mostly private schools) also require an additional form to determine non-governmental aid eligibility. Only complete this process if your college/university requires it.
