Loans made through this program are referred to as Direct Loans, because eligible students and parents borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools.
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Half and full-time students who demonstrate financial need. | $200-$10,500 based on academic classification and financial need. Undergraduate dependent lifetime limit of $23,000. Undergraduate independent lifetime limit of $57,500. Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized loans are available based on financial need. Interest rate for Subsidized loans is 0% in school and 4.29% fixed after leaving school. Interest rate for Unsubsidized loans is 4.29% fixed both in and out of school. Repayment begins 6 months after student leaves school. Loans are made for a semester or academic year. | Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information visit ISAC's website. Complete Kishwaukee College Financial Aid Application and satisfactory academic progress statement. Apply by July 1st for priority consideration. Application must be submitted prior to the last day of the semester to qualify. Application turn around is usually 4-6 weeks after initial submission. Official academic transcripts from all previous colleges are required. Loan application is available at the Financial Aid Office. Students must also complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note at StudentLoans.gov prior to receiving student loans. |
To be eligible, you will need to:
| Type | Need Based | Accrues Interest While in 6+ Credits | Credit Based | Borrower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized | YES | NO | NO | Student |
| Direct Unsubsidized | NO | YES | NO | Student |
| Direct PLUS Parent | NO | YES | YES; Parent | Parent |
2024-2025 includes Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025.
In order to ensure that the documentation you are submitting comes from a validated source, please submit all documents from your Kishwaukee College student email address. Documentation from any other email address may not be acceptable. Please be sure the documentation is complete before sending and that any supporting documentation is attached in the same email. Please contact the Financial Aid Office (finaid@kish.edu) if you have any questions.
If you are the student, please print the entire loan packet listed below and follow the enclosed instructions to apply for a Direct Loan.
2025-2026 includes Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026.
In order to ensure that the documentation you are submitting comes from a validated source, please submit all documents from your Kishwaukee College student email address. Documentation from any other email address may not be acceptable. Please be sure the documentation is complete before sending and that any supporting documentation is attached in the same email. Please contact the Financial Aid Office (finaid@kish.edu) if you have any questions.
If you are the student, please print the entire loan packet listed below and follow the enclosed instructions to apply for a Direct Loan.
All Kishwaukee College (KC) employees who are in anyway responsible for the administration of student educational loans will adhere to the Kishwaukee College Student Loan Code of Conduct. This includes all Financial Aid Staff, supervisors of Financial Aid Administrators, Business Office personnel who deal with loans and anyone who otherwise has responsibility, authority or involved in decision making regarding student loans.
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
|
Undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need are eligible. Eligibility is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), the cost of college attendance and available funds. |
Value and duration vary with the student's financial need and enrollment status. Awards are made for one year and are renewable when there is a financial need for 12 full-time semesters or until a bachelor's degree is received — whichever comes first. The 2024-2026 maximum grant at Kishwaukee is $7,395 annually for full-time students. |
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) wesbite. Complete the Kishwaukee Complete the Kishwaukee College Financial Aid Application and satisfactory academic progress statement. Apply by July 1 for priority consideration. The application must be submitted before the last day of the semester to qualify. Application turnaround is usually 7-10 business days after initial submission. |
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate students with financial need who attend at least half-time. | $500 per year. Amounts vary with the student's financial need and fund availability. Awards are made for one year and are renewable while there is financial need or until receipt of a bachelor's degree — whichever comes first. | Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information, visit ISAC's website. Complete the Kishwaukee College Financial Aid Application and satisfactory academic progress statement. Apply by July 1st for priority consideration. The application must be submitted before the last day of the semester to qualify. Application turnaround is usually 4-6 weeks after initial submission. Funds are usually not available for new spring applicants. |
For more information on benefits for Veterans, Military members, and spouses/dependents of Veterans, please visit our Veteran's Services and Programs page.
More information can also be found on the Veteran's Administration website.
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans who were Illinois residents when entering military service, have served at least one year of active duty and returned to Illinois within six months from the date of honorable discharge. | Tuition and mandatory fees. Usage is determined by a point system with 120 maximum points available. It does not cover GED coursework. | Qualified applicants must notify the Financial Aid office of their eligibility status as soon as possible, but no later than the last scheduled day of classes for the term for which the grant is requested. Applications are available online from ISAC's website. A copy of the veteran's DD214 form is required with the application. Application turnaround is 4-6 weeks. |
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Students who have served for at least one year in the Illinois National Guard or Naval Militia and who continue to be a member of the Guard or Militia while enrolled. | Tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters of either full-time or part-time study. It does not cover GED coursework or non-credit courses. | Applications are available online from ISAC's website. A copy of the veteran's DD214 form is required with the application. Application turnaround is 4-6 weeks. |
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate students who are enrolled for a minimum of three credit hours per term, are Illinois residents, demonstrate financial need, and have not used more than 75 MAP paid credit hours while enrolled at the Freshman or Sophomore level. | Tuition and mandatory fees are renewable for up to 75 MAP paid credit hours for the Freshman or Sophomore level and 135 MAP paid credit hours for the Junior and Senior level with continued financial need. | Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information, visit ISAC's website. |
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
|
Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full- or part-time (at least 3 credit hours) basis, pursuing an early childhood education major who have worked in the early childhood industry (in either a licensed or license-exempt facility), including family child care and center-based care settings, Preschool for All school-based settings, and Head Start, that serves children from birth to age 5 and includes teachers, assistant teachers, directors, family child care providers and assistants. For complete eligibility requirements, visit ISAC's website. |
The scholarship will cover the applicant's total cost of attendance for an academic year (including summer) after other financial aid is received |
Applicants may access the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program interactive application via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. The online application has built-in edits to prevent errors, and ISAC sends immediate confirmation to the applicant’s e-mail address that the application has been received. For complete details, visit ISAC's website. |
| Who is Eligible? | Value & Duration | When & How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate and graduate students who are at least half-time and who demonstrate financial need. | Students apply for on-campus jobs related to their experience, interests, goals and job availability. Minimum wage is paid. | Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information, visit ISAC's website. Complete the Kishwaukee College Financial Aid Application and satisfactory academic progress statement. Apply by July 1st for priority consideration. The application must be submitted before the last day of the semester to qualify. Application turnaround is usually 4-6 weeks after initial submission. Most Federal Work-Study positions are filled within the first two weeks of the semester. Visit the Federal Work-Study webpage for a list of available positions. |
Kishwaukee College offers several grant opportunities.
Kishwaukee College offers a variety of scholarship opportunities.
The Kishwaukee College Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. The award honors exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities, and beyond, reflecting the values and excellence of Kishwaukee College.
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