Illinois MAP Grants Face Earliest Deadline

Important information for Illinois residents who apply for need-based financial aid

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) announced on Thursday, March 17, that it will stop awarding 2011-2012 Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for all students whose Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received  on or after Sunday, March 20.

On Saturday, ISAC announced that they would extend the deadline until Friday, March 25. The March 25 suspension date is  still the earliest in MAP history and is the result of an unprecedented number of early applicants.

"Fortunately, ISAC recognized the pressure such a tight timeline put on students," noted Ann Brill, Knox's Director of Financial Aid. These few extra days can make a difference for the close to 250 Knox students who need a MAP grant to afford college.

Any Illinois student who plans to attend Knox for any term during the 2011-2012 academic year must file a FAFSA by the end of the day Friday, March 25, 2011 in order to be considered for the MAP grant.

"Without the MAP grant it will be difficult, if not impossible, for these students to attend college. We strongly encourage  any student who wants to attend college to fill out their FAFSA immediately," Brill added.

The 2011-2012 FAFSA can be filed at www.fafsa.gov. A completed 2010 U.S. Income Tax return is not required; the FAFSA can be submitted with estimated figures and corrected later. Each student and one parent will need a PIN to complete the form. A PIN can be requested at www.pin.ed.gov.

Not all applicants will qualify for the MAP grant. The anticipated award 2011-2012 is $4,720. As a reminder, Knox cannot make up the loss of a student's MAP grant due to late application.