Welcome to the Office of Student Financial Aid
Our goal is to assist you and your family in securing the resources necessary to fund your education. Last year, over $1.2 billion dollars in financial aid funds were administered and 65% of students received financial aid.
Winter Financial Aid Application – Coming Soon
The application for the winter 2026-2027 term will be available by November 9, 2026.
To apply for financial aid for the winter 2026-2027 term, you must have submitted a 2026-2027 FAFSA and be registered for both a winter 2026-2027 term course and the spring 2027 term. (Please note, if you are completing your undergraduate degree requirements at the end of fall 2026, you will not be eligible for financial aid for winter 2026-2027). If you are receiving a waiver for winter, anticipate it being applied to your account in the winter semester. If you are applying for a loan for winter, you should anticipate its disbursement when spring aid is applied, beginning January 10.
For the winter term, the primary source of aid is in the form of loans, such as any remaining Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized loans, Parent PLUS loans, or private loans.
2027-2028 Financial Aid Processing
New Undergraduate Students & Financial Aid
- The Office of Student Financial Aid will review submitted FAFSAs after students are admitted.
- Verification/FAFSA requirements cannot be completed before an admission decision.
Important Deadlines:
- File your 2027-2028 FAFSA as soon as you are able and by our priority deadline of March 15, 2027.
Financial Aid Notifications:
- Electronic Financial Aid Notifications are generally available 3-4 weeks after an admission decision. These will include any need-based aid, loans, and merit scholarship information that has been shared with our office, provided that any additional documents have been submitted.
- The Special Circumstances process (reevaluation due to a change in income) generally cannot be completed until after an initial Financial Aid Notification is created.
Continuing/Returning Undergraduate Students & Financial Aid
- File your 2027-2028 FAFSA as soon as possible and by our priority deadline of March 15, 2027.
- Verification or other requirements may be requested as soon as January 2027.
- Financial Aid Notifications for continuing students will be available in summer.
New and Continuing/Returning Graduate Students & Financial Aid:
- FAFSA: Complete your 2027-2028 FAFSA to be considered for federal loans for the 2027-2028 year.
- Starting your program in SUMMER 2027? Make sure you file the 2026-2027 FAFSA too and submit the summer financial aid application (available on this page) in early April.
- Financial Aid Notifications: Electronic Financial Aid Notifications containing 2027-2028 federal loan eligibility will be available starting in late spring.
Apply Now for Aid
2027-2028 FAFSA
The Office of Student Financial Aid encourages all students to apply for financial aid. The 2027-2028 FAFSA is now available, as is the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
Students must be admitted to the University of Illinois before financial aid processing begins. You are encouraged to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, and no later than our preferential filing deadline of March 15, 2027. Please note that the 2027-2028 FAFSA will require 2025 tax information.
Federal School Code: 001775
Important Fall 2026 Information
Important information about the fall 2026 financial aid and billing processes is available.
Private Outside Scholarships
Please mail all private outside scholarship checks to OSFA and be sure to include a Private Outside Scholarship Form. All scholarship checks should be made payable to the University of Illinois and include your full name and University Identification Number (UIN).
Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver
The 2027-2028 Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver application is now available. The COV award is a four-year tuition waiver at the University of Illinois awarded to natural, legally adopted, or stepchildren of service members. Please see the application form for eligibility requirements and additional details. The priority deadline is January 15, 2027. Students will be notified by March 19, 2027 if they have been selected to receive the waiver. The application deadline for conflicts not awarded closes on October 1, 2027.
Check Your Status
View your current financial aid status, including any new awards.
Estimate Your Aid
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate the amount of financial aid you’ll receive.
Find a Job
Search the Virtual Job Board to find a job on campus.