Fall 2026 Financial Aid FAQs

Publish Date

2026-08-05

Fall 2026 Financial Aid FAQs

We would like to highlight key dates and important information for the fall semester. Federal student loan changes have been signed into law effective Fall 2026. Read on for details.

Q. How do I check my financial aid status or disbursement? 

A. To review your financial aid:  

Choose “Financial Aid Notification” on the Financial Aid card to see your aid offer.

Choose the “Home” screen to view missing required documents or forms.

To check your disbursement status:  

Choose “UI-Pay” on the University Bursar card to view and pay your bill.

Fall charges will begin to show on your account in early August and official billing will take place in early September.

Financial aid disbursements will begin on or after August 15.

At the time of disbursement, your cost of attendance, Federal loans, Federal Pell Grant and other aid will be adjusted based on your actual enrollment. 

Q. How can I make sure I’m eligible to receive my financial aid? 

Ensure that you have a 2026-27 FAFSA submitted to UIS.

Generally, financial aid is offered for the academic year based on full-time enrollment status. If you enroll less than full-time, your aid will be adjusted at the time of disbursement.

You must meet all eligibility and disbursement requirements. See Terms & Conditions for further details.

You must establish the minimum enrollment requirement for each type of aid.

Aid cannot disburse until 10 days before the start of the semester. UIS donor-funded scholarships will not disburse until after the first two weeks of the semester in order for final eligibility to be determined.

Q. What changes are there to federal student loans?

A. Several changes will be implemented based on new federal regulations. Please visit the 2026-27 Changes to Federal Student Loan page for details.

Students enrolled less than full-time will receive reduced loan amounts, based on their enrollment status, at the time of disbursement.

Graduate PLUS Loans are being phased out.

Parent PLUS Loans have new annual and lifetime loan limits.

Q. Why hasn't my financial aid been offered for Fall 2026? 

A. If you have not received an aid offer, it could be because: 

You are missing important required forms or documents. Visit MyUIconnect to view any missing information.

You may not have an application on file. The 2026-27 FAFSA must be submitted to UIS (school code 009333).

You may not meet minimum eligibility requirements including Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Q. Why hasn't my financial aid been disbursed? 

A. The first financial aid disbursement is on or after August 15, 2026. After that date, if you haven’t seen your aid pay to your student account, there may be several reasons why you haven’t seen a disbursement: 

Missing financial aid "Student Requirements" items in MyUIconnect.

Offered loans have not been accepted by you in Self-Service (students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal student loan disbursements).

Failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). View the SAP Policy on our Policies page.

Other conflicts such as enrollment not meeting minimum requirements.

Q. I expect to receive a refund to help me with books, supplies and/or off-campus living expenses. When should I expect a refund?

A. Refunds are processed by University Bursar according to their schedule. The first refunds for fall semester will begin on or about August 19, 2026. Direct deposit is recommended and provides a secure, efficient method to receive your refund. Students may sign up for direct deposit through University Bursar’s website at paymybill.uillinois.edu.

Q. Why hasn't my loan been disbursed? 

A. Check the following: 

Have you completed Direct Loan Entrance Counseling (first time borrower)?

Do you have a valid Master Promissory Note (MPN) on file?

Do you meet the minimum enrollment requirement (half-time)?

Parent PLUS loan: Did your parent complete the Parent PLUS Application for Parents and a Master Promissory Note (MPN)?

Q. What is the census date? How does it impact me? 

A. The end of the add/drop period, or census date is September 4. Aid is not generally adjusted based on students' enrollment status after this date

The census date is after the last day you may submit a partial withdrawal of a course and receive a 100% refund, which is September 4 for a full-term course. Complete withdrawals with no financial obligation must be completed by August 21 for a full refund for first-half and full-term classes, and October 18 for last-half classes. See the Fall 2026 Drop-Withdrawal policy for full details.