State of Illinois Programs

• Monetary Award Program (MAP) - This program provides need-based grants for undergraduate students to help pay tuition. The student must meet Illinois residency requirements. Students apply for MAP when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Eligibility restrictions apply to students who file their FAFSA after application deadlines established each year by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Award amounts and established deadlines for this grant are subject to change based upon state appropriations.
  
  
• Illinois Incentive for Access Program (IIA) - This $500.00 grant is awarded to freshman students who have a limited ability to pay for college. Application is made for the IIA program when students file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must meet Illinois residency requirements and be enrolled at least half-time. Awards may be limited due to state appropriations.
  
  
• State Recognition Scholarship Programs and Merit Recognition Scholarship Programs - These programs provide awards to Illinois high school students with outstanding academic achievement. Applications for these programs must be completed by the student’s high school counselor.

Federal Programs

• Federal Pell Grant Program - The Federal Pell Grant is an award for undergraduate students that does not have to be repaid. To determine eligibility, the Department of Education uses a standard formula to evaluate the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is available from the Financial Assistance Office. The amount of the Federal Pell Grant award varies from year to year depending on annual government appropriations and student eligibility. For the 2008-2009 school year, the maximum award is $4,731.00. Federal Pell Grant awards are issued quarterly. Students have the responsibility of maintaining satisfactory academic progress while in attendance at Midstate College to continue to receive their grant payments. Satisfactory academic progress is defined as maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (“C”) and meeting the requirements for credit completion. Examples of these requirements are included in this catalog.
  
  
• Federal SEOG Program - The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients when awarding this grant. Like the Federal Pell Grant, this is “gift aid” and does not have to be repaid. The maximum Federal SEOG award a Midstate student can receive varies according to award year allocations and the number of classes for which the student is scheduled.
  
  
• Federal Work Study Program (FWS) - This program provides jobs for students who need financial help. FWS gives students a chance to earn money to help pay their educational expenses. Like other Federal programs, students must demonstrate financial need to be considered for employment opportunities. Work hours are usually limited to 10 hours per week per student. Positions are available both on- and off-campus. Positions off-campus are limited to non-profit organizations performing a service in the community.
  
  Midstate College makes a concerted effort to help our students with disabilities. Facilities such as the computer lab, restrooms, and classrooms are located on levels that are handicapped accessible. Special services are provided for the students with disabilities through the Federal Work Study Program which makes funds available to hire students to assist individuals with disabilities with access to facilities, carrying textbooks, and running errands.
  
  
• Federal Stafford Loan Program (Subsidized) - The Federal Stafford Loan Program provides a maximum loan of $3,500.00 per academic year during the student’s freshman level and $4,500.00 per academic year for the sophomore level. Junior and senior loans are also available at a maximum of $5,500.00. The eligibility to receive this loan is determined by the same application used in determining Federal Pell Grant Awards. The student must be attending at least half-time and remain in satisfactory academic progress. Federal Stafford Loans are secured through lenders participating in the federal student loan programs. Application forms are available through the Financial Assistance Office. The Financial Assistance Office will determine each student’s eligibility for loan amounts based on the cost of attendance and the amounts of other financial aid available to the student. These loans are interest free to the student while in attendance at least half-time, and payments are deferred until the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status. Repayment of these loans usually begins within six months after ceasing half-time study. The interest rates are variable and the rate is adjusted each year.
  
  
• Federal Stafford Loan Program (Unsubsidized) - This loan program is for borrowers who do not show need for interest subsidies under the existing Federal Stafford Program. Terms and conditions are the same as the subsidized Federal Stafford Program except the Federal government pays no in-school interest subsidy. Interest rates are adjusted each year. Like the subsidized loan, applications are available through the Financial Assistance Office and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Federal PLUS Loan Program - Federal PLUS loans are for parents who want to borrow to help pay for their dependent child’s education. Like the Federal Stafford Loan, this loan is made by a lender participating in a federal loan program. This loan has a variable interest rate adjusted each year. The Financial Assistance Office can supply interested students or their parents with more information and applications for this loan program.