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When I was applying to college, as the first person in my family to attend, there were a lot of terms I didn’t know. I would try to ask my mother, but since she never attended college, she didn’t know many of them either. Enrolling seemed difficult because this new vocabulary was confusing and frustrating. Terms that seemed natural to everyone else felt completely new to me, and I was sometimes afraid to ask questions because I thought I should already understand them.
What costs are covered?
The full cost of tuition and required fees up to 15 credit hours per semester.
This cost is estimated as the average of tuition & fees for a student taking 15 credit hours, as indicated on the student's financial aid offer notification letter. The student's actual cost may be slightly more or less than this estimate.
What costs are not covered?
Room and board, course-specific fees such as laboratory fees, study abroad fees, the new student orientation fee, and indirect expenses like books, supplies and travel are not covered. Late fees, parking permits, parking tickets, damages, and other non-mandatory, optional fees are not included.
Are current students eligible for the Promise?
No, not at this time. The Prairie Promise is a financial aid initiative that is available to only first-year, first-time (freshmen) or transfer students who met the admission requirements mentioned under the eligibility criteria.
Is the Promise renewable?
If students continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements and receive the IL MAP grant, they will continue to be eligible for the Prairie Promise for up to four years of undergraduate full-time study.
What UIS funds are included in the Promise?
Students may not see a grant or scholarship on their financial aid offer labeled as Prairie Promise. Beyond the IL MAP Grant, students' tuition and fees are covered by a combination of UIS gift aid such as Star Scholar Award, Capital Honor Scholarship, or AIM HIGH Grant funds. Other awards that will be included are Camerata Music Scholarship, Memorial Health Pre-Nursing scholarship, Child of Veteran tuition waiver, Child of Employee tuition waiver, and any other UIS-funded grants, scholarships and waivers. Some students may see a Promise award on their aid offer.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Prairie Promise?
A student must be an Illinois resident, be entering college as either a first-time, first-year (freshman) student or as a transfer student with a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or above, be eligible for and receive the State of Illinois MAP Grant (as demonstrated by applying for aid through the FAFSA), enroll full-time, and not be in a fully online academic program.
Will military and veteran’s education benefits be considered part of the Promise?
Students receiving federal veterans’ education benefits, such as Post 9/11 GI Bill, may still be eligible for the Promise if all other criteria is met. Students who are utilizing State of Illinois veteran or military benefits may not have the need for the Promise. State of Illinois programs include Illinois Veterans Grant, Illinois National Guard Grant, and Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship for dependents. These programs already cover full tuition and many mandatory fees.
What if I register for more than 15 credit hours per semester?
The Promise is intended to cover tuition and mandatory fees based upon an average of 15 credit hours per semester. Students may register for more or less credits as long as they are still enrolled full-time of at least 12 credit hours. The State of IL MAP Grant is pro-rated for enrollment of less than 15 credits, per state regulations. However, UIS scholarships and grants will not be increased to cover more than 15 credits per semester, nor will it be decreased if registered for between 12-15 credits.
Will the Prairie Promise cover all fees?
The promise will cover mandatory fees for an undergraduate student with a full -time load of 15 credits/semester. Fees associated with online courses, lab fees, optional fees, athletic fees, late fees, parking permits or parking violation fees, and other non-mandatory fees are not included.