Financial Aid Information and Resources
Resources to assist with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (i.e., FAFSA)
Resources to assist with the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Additional information and resources
Please scroll down to view the applicable information
Overview of FAFSA, Alternative Application, and graduation requirement
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (i.e, FAFSA) - It is recommended that all graduating students that are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and are planning to pursue postsecondary education complete the FAFSA, additional information regarding the eligibility requirements can be accessed on the Federal Student Aid website (the FAFSA will be available for completion beginning on October 1st, it is recommended that the FAFSA be completed as soon as possible as applicable).
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid - Per the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (i.e., ISAC), "The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid allows qualifying undocumented students and transgender students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid to apply for Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants to attend eligible Illinois colleges, universities, and career education programs." (the Alternative Application will be available for completion beginning on October 1st, it is recommended that the Alternative Application be completed as soon as possible as applicable).
The FAFSA will be the applicable financial aid form for a majority of students to complete and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid may be an option for students that are not eligible to complete the FAFSA to apply for financial aid. Please note that, as applicable, a student would complete either the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid - a student would not complete both forms.
New Graduation Requirement applicable for the Class of 2021
Per the Illinois State Board of Education: “Starting in school year 2020-21, to receive a diploma from a public high school a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or, if applicable, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. Local school district staff must provide support and assistance to students and parents/guardians in the application process.”
Link to the FAFSA Completion Initiative Form which provides additional information and a link to the applicable FAFSA Nonparticipation Form (in both English and Spanish Languages).
Resources to assist with the FAFSA
Financial Aid Informational Videos
Tips to assist users with completing the FAFSA (including information or documents needed)
2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (Version in Spanish Language)
2021-22 FAFSA® on the Web Worksheet
2021-22 FAFSA® on the Web Worksheet (Version in Spanish Language)
Do You Need Money for College or Career School?
Resources to assist with the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
A link to the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Video on YouTube in English Language about the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Video on YouTube in Spanish Language about the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
A link to frequently asked questions about the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
A link to the User Guide for the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
A link to information regarding the Monetary Award Program (MAP)
Information regarding the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (i.e., ISAC)
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (i.e., ISAC) provides students and families with free assistance regarding the college admissions/application, financial aid (including individualized assistance for the FAFSA and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid), scholarship, and other related processes.
Ms. Yanika Barfield is the ISACorps Member that is assigned to assist the Lake Park community and her work contact information is listed below:
Ms. Yanika Barfield
Yanika.Barfield@illinois.gov
(630) 352-9183 - work phone number
Link to request a meeting with Ms. Barfield
Please note that: some representatives from ISAC also provide assistance in Spanish Language, ISAC provides assistance via text messaging that can be accessed by texting first and last name to 630-216-4910 or 773-823-0570 for assistance in Spanish Language (message and data fees/rates may be applicable and users of the text messaging assistance service will also receive important information and reminders about the college planning and financial aid processes), and ISAC also has a Call Center that can be contacted at 800-899-ISAC (4722).
This is a link to an ISAC website for identifying contact information for ISACorps Members (i.e., representatives from ISAC)
This is a link to ISAC’s Outreach Activities Calendar which includes Virtual Financial Aid Application Completion Workshops (i.e., assistance in English and Spanish Languages for completing the FAFSA and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid) and Facebook Live events
This is a link to applicable videos from the ISAC Student Portal (including videos regarding the FAFSA and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid)
Additional information and resources
A video of Mrs. Stewart's presentation can be accessed via this link (presentation begins at 51:20 of the video)
Financial Aid and Related Calculators from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Last Updated: March 2021