AIM HIGH Grant for New First-Year and Transfer Students

  • Eligibility: To be eligible for AIM High Program, you must:
    • file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and demonstrate financial need, with a household income no greater than 8 times the poverty guideline established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    • be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen or meet the “undocumented student” criteria of the RISE Act.
    • be a resident of Illinois.
    • have attended an Illinois high school.
    • apply to be enrolled for the first time at the public university campus where the award will be used
    • meet the minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
    • be enrolled as an undergraduate student on a full-time basis.
    • have not yet received a bachelor’s degree (the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours).
    • not be incarcerated.
    • not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.
  • Up to $2,000 in AIM HIGH Grant aid in addition to Merit Scholarship for AIM HIGH-Eligible students (IL resident, income threshold) that do not receive MAP Grants. Some students with high UIS Merit Scholarships may not receive funding, or may receive a lower amount.
  • Up to $1,000 in AIM HIGH Grant aid in addition to Merit Scholarship for AIM HIGH-Eligible students (IL resident, income threshold) that do receive MAP Grants. For First-Year Students eligible for the Prairie Promise, funds will be awarded if there is a gap to meet tuition & fees for Promise program.
  • Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Priority deadline for consideration of AIM HIGH Grant funds is May 1. Students should be admitted to UIS and have a FAFSA or RISE application submitted no later than May 1 for consideration of AIM HIGH funds.

* Effective for new students beginning at UIS in Fall 2024

Maximum Income Level for AIM HIGH Grant

Household size : 1   

Maximum Income : $108,720

Household size : 2

Maximum Income : $146,480

Household size : 3

Maximum Income : $184,240

Household size : 4

Maximum Income : $222,000

Household size : 5

Maximum Income : $259,760

Household size : 6

Maximum Income : $297,520

The above income levels are based upon 8 times the 2022 US Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states.

Amount
up to $2,000/year
Grant Source
State of Illinois
Aid Type
Illinois