Frequently Asked Questions

1. Log in to the UIS Student Self-Service portal
2. Click on Financial Aid Notification
3. Make sure you select the correct aid year.
4. To accept/decline your offered aid, select the Accept/Decline button. 
5. You can also request changes to your aid..
6. You may also accept partial amounts by selecting Modify and entering a lower amount.

Most forms and documents may be uploaded via UIS Student Self Service portal

1. Log in to the UIS Student Self-Service portal
2. Click on the Financial Aid Home page
3. Below the unsatisfied requirement you are submitting, click the Choose File button
4. Choose the file to upload and click Open (.pdf, .jpg and .png file types)
5. Once you view the file as Pending next to the Choose File button, click Submit
6. If the document has been uploaded successfully, you will see a "Document Upload Successful" status appear in the yellow box.

Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You will learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. All first-time loan borrowers at UIS must complete entrance loan counseling.

When you are finished, a record of your completion will be sent to the schools you selected. Keep in mind that you cannot save and leave an incomplete session; you must complete entrance counseling in one session. You can complete entrance loan counseling at Studentaid.gov.

University Bursar prepares the billing statements for students. Tuition and fees are not assessed for students until closer to the start of each term, with official billing taking place after the add/drop period ends for each term.

1. Log in to the UIS Student Self-Service portal
2. Click on account billing information
3. Click on the UI-Pay
4. You can pay through View and Pay accounts

For more information on student accounts and how to pay, contact University Bursar at (217) 206-6727 or bursarhelp@uillinois.edu.

New students who will be using veteran and/or military benefits should send an email to finaid@uis.edu so that the appropriate requirements can be added to your Student Self-Service portal. Please include your UIN and the specific benefit(s) that you have been awarded. A UIS Request for Benefits, available on our financial aid forms page, will be required for each semester that you intend to enroll and use military benefits. The form and additional instructions can be emailed to you upon request.

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). All first-time student and parent borrowers of federal Direct student loans, and borrowers whose previous MPN has expired, must complete the MPN before loan funds can be disbursed to your student account.

Please read our UIS Student Guide to Financial Aid

Refunds are issued by University Bursar.  You can review your account status on the University Bursar website.  If your account has a credit balance pending, you can contact University Bursar at 217-206-6727 or email bursarhelp@uillinois.edu for information regarding the refund.   Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through University Bursar’s [paymybill.uillinois.edu] website in order to receive funds quicker, and avoid delays.

Students who begin attendance and drop a class or withdraw completely from the university for the semester may experience a reduction in financial aid. Timing is also important. Please visit the Financial Aid Withdrawal policy for more details.

Yes. In order to be considered for aid programs administered by the UIS Office of Financial assistance, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Work study is a part-time employment program for U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are at least half-time students in a degree program and demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA each year. If you have been awarded work study and would like to view work-study as well as part-time job listings, go to our CareerConnect website.

If your family circumstances have changed since submitting your FAFSA, please visit Change of Financial Situation. Every year ISAC, the state agency that administers the MAP grant Program, determines a FAFSA submission deadline for MAP eligibility. Any student who submits their initial FAFSA after the state MAP deadline will not be eligible to receive it for that upcoming academic year.

Every year ISAC, the state agency that administers the MAP grant Program, determines a FAFSA submission deadline for MAP eligibility. Any student who submits their initial FAFSA after the state MAP deadline will not be eligible to receive it for that upcoming academic year.

The MAP Grant is a need-based award. Financial need is determined using the data submitted on the FAFSA. MAP Grant eligibility is determined by FAFSA information and tuition.

There are limits to MAP Grant eligibility based on grade level and total credit hours. Those details can be found at the bottom of the State Grant page. Monetary Award Program | MAP Grants (isac.org)

The MAP Grant is available only to Illinois residents and/or the dependents of Illinois residents. If a student or their parents (for dependent students) no longer reside in Illinois, they will no longer be eligible for the MAP grant.

The MAP Grant pays according to the number of enrolled credit hours. Students enrolled in 15 or more credit hours will receive 100% of the MAP Grant award on their financial aid notification. Enrollment below 15 credit hours causes a prorated MAP disbursement. If the number of credit hours changes after the initial disbursement of the MAP Grant, by adding or dropping credit hours, the funds already paid to a student account may be adjusted.

Yes, financial aid is available during the summer. An undergraduate student must be enrolled in at least half-time (6 credit-hours) to be eligible for Pell grant and Direct loans. For a graduate student they must be enrolled in at least half-time (three credit-hours) to be eligible for Direct loans during the summer semester.

Adding or dropping courses can affect your aid eligibility. You should contact a financial aid counselor before adding or dropping courses.

Financial aid may be disbursed to the student account up to 10 days prior to the first day of classes. Students who are missing required documents or have not accepted financial aid in Self-Service may not receive a disbursement.

If you have excess financial aid that exceeds institutional charges on your UIS student account, University Bursar will issue a refund. The earliest a refund may be issued each semester is approximately a week prior to the start of classes.

Before you apply for financial aid, here’s some information you will need.

1. Your parents’ tax return for the tax year indicated on the FAFSA.
2. Your tax return for the tax year indicated on the FAFSA
3. Other income and asset information
4. Student driver’s license
5. Student and parent social security numbers, date of birth and legal names

If you are a dependent student, you and your parent will each need to create a StudentAid.gov account. You will need both of your social security numbers. You can create your account at StudentAid.gov.

Once you create your StudentAid.gov account, you may begin your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply for financial aid at studentaid.gov. If you need help with your FAFSA you can contact our office at (217) 206-6724 or schedule a meeting with an advisor at UIS Financial Aid. 

Students who are ineligible to file the FAFSA and reside in the state of Illinois may be able to apply using the Illinois Alternative Application.