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.

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.

Refunds are issued by University Bursar. You can review your account status on the University Bursar website(link is external). 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 website in order to receive funds quicker, and avoid delays.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the Terms and Conditons page for more info.

Student Financial Aid in the United States is funding that is available exclusively to students attending a post-secondary educational institution in the United States. This funding is used to assist in covering the many costs incurred in the pursuit of post-secondary education.

You can find information about Financial Aid on the UIS Website.