State of Illinois MAP Grant Policies

Update as of 6/26/2023

Each year, eligibility for an Illinois MAP grant is based on the results of the FAFSA or RISE Act application, as well as verification requirements. Students with an EFC greater than $9,000, students who filed their FAFSA after the MAP suspense date, or those not completing their first bachelor’s degree, are considered ineligible. For a MAP eligible student, the initial Financial Aid Award assumes the student will be enrolled for a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester.

If a student enrolls in fewer than 15 credit hours any semester, the MAP award will be reduced proportionately for that semester. For example, if a student takes 14 credit hours in the fall, he or she would receive a fall MAP grant of $3,920 instead of the maximum $4,200. Refer to the MAP Grant Level chart below for more information.

Semester enrollment will be verified with the State of Illinois based on courses for which the student registers and is assessed tuition charges. Only those courses required for degree completion will be considered for financial aid payment. In addition, MAP grants may only be used for tuition and mandatory fees, but does not cover other charges. In addition, MAP grants are non-refundable to the student.

Financial aid files completed late will have their MAP grant requested based on hours for which they had enrolled in the term and are being assessed tuition charges. For more information regarding Illinois grant programs, visit www.isac.org.

The following statement is an ISAC required disclosure for the 2023–2024 school year:

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 may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at studentportal.isac.org.

Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or child care for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the financial aid office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or https://www.dhs.state.il.us/. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163 or https://www.ilhunger.org/.

2023–2024 MAP GRANT LEVEL CHART (maximum annual MAP award is $8,400.00)