Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance

Financial Aid and Veterans Services Office
Office: U286
Phone: 217/351-2222
Email: finaid@parkland.edu
Website: parkland.edu/financialaid

Parkland College administers comprehensive financial aid programs that include grants, loans, scholarships, and part-time employment. The purpose of these programs is to assist students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college.

Information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services (U286; 217/351-2222) or by visiting parkland.edu/financialaid.

Eligibility

To be eligible for most financial aid programs at Parkland, a student must:

1. Be enrolled in a financial aid eligible degree or certificate program at Parkland.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include Parkland by using school code 007118.
3. If requested, submit signed copies of the required forms and documentation to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.
4. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (see Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients).
5. Demonstrate financial need. Financial need is considered to be the difference between one academic year’s educational expenses (tuition, books, fees, food and housing, commuting costs, etc.) and the applicant’s resources for the same period (aid from parents, savings, trusts, grants, personal earnings, etc.) as documented in the applicant’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Financial Aid

Major Financial Aid Programs

Parkland administers a variety of federal and state programs, along with many special scholarships just for Parkland students.

• Monetary Award Program (MAP): The MAP grant is administrated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and only pays tuition and mandatory fees to eligible Illinois residents. Funding levels are determined by the state of Illinois.  Additional information about the MAP grant can be found on the ISAC website.
• Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid: The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows qualifying undocumented students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid to apply for state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a pathway for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.  Additional information about the RISE Act can be found on the ISAC website.
• Federal Pell Grant: The Pell grant is a federal grant awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.  These grant funds are designed to help pay for college-related expenses.  Additional information about the Pell grant can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.
• Federal Work-Study (FWS): The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is a need-based financial aid program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need. It allows students to earn money to help cover educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience.  Additional information about FWS can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based grant awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. It provides additional financial aid to help cover educational expenses.  Additional information about FSEOG can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.
• William D. Ford Direct Loan Program: The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program provides low-interest federal loans to help students pay for college. Loans are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education and must be repaid with interest after graduation or when the student drops below half-time enrollment. Types of direct loans include:

  • Direct Subsidized Loans: For undergraduate students with financial need. The government pays the interest while the student is in school at least half-time and during deferment periods. Additional information about Direct Subsidized Loans can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Available to undergraduate students but not based on financial need. Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed. Additional information about Direct Unsubsidized Loans can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

  • Direct Parent PLUS Loans: Available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. This loan requires a separate application and credit check.  Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed.  Additional information about Parent PLUS Loans can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

• Parkland College Foundation Scholarships/Special Scholarships: Students can apply for scholarships available through the Parkland College Foundation. See a list of scholarships below.

Scholarships

Information on available scholarships can be found on the student portal, Connect (connect.parkland.edu).

Parkland Scholarships

Note: Tuition and fees covered by tuition waivers and/or scholarship awards do not include additional course fees (flight instruction fees) charged for aviation (AVI) courses.

• Parkland College Athletics Scholarship: Tuition and fee waivers for athletes in the men’s and women’s basketball, men’s baseball, women’s softball, women’s volleyball, women’s cross-country and half marathon, men’s golf, and men’s and women’s soccer.
• Parkland College Music Scholarship: 50 percent tuition and fee waivers for high school graduates, or those with high school equivalency, who are majoring in music.
• Parkland College FAA Student Activities Scholarship: 50 percent tuition and fee waivers for high school graduates, or those with high school equivalency, who participate in Fine and Applied Arts activities.
• Parkland College Student Activities Scholarship: Tuition waivers to those who participate in student activities such as the Prospectus, the Student Leadership Academy, and student organizations. More information is available in the Office of Student Life, Room 111.
• Parkland College Student Trustee and Student Government President: In recognition of the responsibilities of the Student Trustee and President of Student Government in representing the Parkland College student body, and their attendance at IBHE and ICCB student advisory meetings throughout the academic year, students holding these elected positions will be awarded a partial tuition waiver. This waiver will be in effect during the fall and spring semesters and will not exceed the value of six credit hours of in-district tuition and fees for each semester.
• Parkland College Theatre Scholarship: 50 percent tuition and fee waivers for high school graduates, or those with high school equivalency, who are majoring in theatre.
• Parkland College Trustees Scholarship: Awarded to the top 10 percent of graduating seniors from each high school in District 505 who attend Parkland full-time immediately after graduation from high school. For students beginning at Parkland in Fall 2024, pays 100 percent of all resident tuition and fees for two academic years.

Parkland College Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships are available to Parkland students from funds contributed by individuals and organizations. Some scholarships may not be awarded every year. For more information, or to apply for available scholarships, visit parkland.edu/ParklandScholarships.

Policies Affecting Financial Aid

Retaking Coursework

In accordance with Part 668 Student Assistance General Provisions Retaking Coursework (§ 668.2), federal financial aid can cover a repeated course under certain conditions, but there are limits.

If you fail a class, you can retake it as many times as necessary with financial aid, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements. If you complete a class with a grade of D or better, you can retake it one more time and still receive financial aid. However, if you attempt the course a third time, you will no longer be eligible for financial aid for that course. If you withdraw from a repeated course before completing it, it does not count as your one allowed retake.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

The Higher Education Amendment of 1998 requires institutions to calculate the amount of Title IV aid earned by students who totally withdraw before completing 60% of the enrollment term. Students who withdraw from all courses before completing more than 60% of the semester may be required to return a portion of their federal financial aid.

Federal regulations mandate that unearned aid be recalculated based on the percentage of the term completed, which may result in a balance owed to the college or the U.S. Department of Education. To avoid unexpected financial obligations, students are strongly encouraged to consult the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing to understand the potential impact on their aid eligibility and account balance.

Parkland will notify the student that they must repay the overpayment or make satisfactory repayment arrangements within 30 days of determining that a student has completely withdrawn from all classes.

Tax Reform Act of 1986 and Financial Aid

Some types of financial aid may be considered taxable income under federal law. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 established that scholarships and grants used for tuition, fees, books, and required supplies are not taxable.

However, if any portion of your aid is used for housing, food, transportation, or other non-education expenses, it may be subject to federal income tax. Additionally, work-study earnings are taxable income, though they are not subject to FICA taxes while you are enrolled. If you receive a financial aid refund, it is your responsibility to determine if any portion is taxable and report it when filing your taxes

For more information, visit the Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center at irs.gov, or contact a tax professional.

Educational Tax Credits and Deductions

There are a variety of tax credits, deductions, and savings plans available to taxpayers to assist with the expense of higher education.  For more information, visit the Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center online at irs.gov.

Other Help Paying for College

Perkins Grant Program for Career and Technical Programs

Students enrolled in any AAS or Certificate program at Parkland may be eligible for assistance from Perkins Support Services. More information can be found on the Perkins Support Services website.

Support for Workforce Training (SWFT)

Support for Workforce Training (SWFT) is a supportive scholarship program for selected short-term certifications at Parkland College. More information can be found on the SWFT website.

Illinois Community College Career Agreement

Parkland College, along with all Illinois community colleges, honors the Career Agreement whereby students from other community college districts who wish to enroll in career programs that are not available in their home community colleges and who are deemed eligible by Parkland College will be charged tuition at the in-district/program rate for District 505 residents. Technical and general education courses attempted in pursuit of the career program will qualify for in-district/program tuition.

Student eligibility to receive tuition benefits under the Career Agreement will be governed by the following rules:

Eligibility

Any student who seeks eligibility for in-district tuition benefits under the Career Agreement must submit the following forms to the appropriate division dean office:

1. Authorization for Enrollment letter from their home community college
2. Parkland College Career Agreement - Request for Approval form

The division dean reviews and determines if eligibility criteria are met.

Eligibility criteria include:

1. The student’s home community college does not offer the career program in question.
2. The student has secured proper documentation from their home community college.
3. The student has been accepted into the career program in question.

The division dean in consultation with the vice president for academic services may grant exceptions to the above requirements.

Each summer, the division dean conducts a review of every Career Agreement student’s eligibility to continue to receive tuition benefits. The review will determine whether the student retains eligibility for the in-district/program tuition rate for the forthcoming year (fall, spring, and summer semesters). Eligibility is terminated if and when the student completes the career program within the year.

Deadline for application

The deadline for a student to submit an application for tuition benefits under the Career Agreement is 30 days after the start of 16-week session (inclusive of the first day of instruction) in the fall and spring semesters and 15 days (inclusive of the first day of instruction) after the start of the summer semester in May. After the deadline, the student may submit an application for eligibility for the following semester.

Nelnet Deferred Payment Plan

Students may sign up with Nelnet to budget tuition and fees for up to five months per semester, interest-free. Payments are automatically deducted from checking, savings, or credit card.

For more information see parkland.edu/nelnet or call the Cashier Office at 217/351-2233.

The Nelnet payment plan is available to any enrolled student interested in participating in such plans and requires the student to pay the outstanding balance by end of the term. The payment plan policy prevents the student from educational training beyond the reporting period unless the outstanding balance is paid in full.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education, Parkland College is required by federal regulations (Federal Regulations 34CFR Parts 668.32f and CFR 668.34) to establish satisfactory academic progress standards for federal and state financial aid recipients enrolled in eligible degree and certificate programs. These minimum standards ensure that only those recipients demonstrating satisfactory progress toward the completion of their educational objective continue to receive financial assistance.

The following are minimum standards required by a student to be eligible for federal and state financial aid.

Requirements

Maximum Time Frame Rule (150% Rule)

Federal regulations require students to complete their degree or certificate within 150% of the required credit hours for their program. This means if a degree program requires 60 credit hours, students can receive financial aid for up to 90 attempted credit hours (60 x 1.5 = 90). If a certificate program requires 30 credit hours, financial aid can cover up to 45 attempted credit hours (30 x 1.5 = 45).

Attempted hours include all Parkland courses (100-299 level), developmental courses, repeated courses, transfer credits, military credit, and proficiency exam credit. Withdrawals (W), failures (F), “N”, “CR”, and “NC” grades are also considered attempted hours. However, Military Withdrawals do not count toward attempted hours.

All federal student aid recipients are subject to these rules in order to maintain their eligibility for financial aid.

Completion Rate Rule (67%)

All degree and certificate students must maintain a 67% Course Completion Rate to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. This applies to all students, regardless of whether they have received financial aid at Parkland or any other college.

The Completion Rate is calculated by dividing the number of successfully completed (earned) credit hours by the total number of attempted credit hours.

• Attempted hours include all Parkland courses at the 100-299 level, developmental coursework, repeated courses, proficiency exam credit, and transfer credit. Withdrawals (W), Failures (F), and “N” grades also count as attempted hours, while Military Withdrawals (MW) are excluded.
• Successfully completed (earned) hours include courses in which a student receives a grade of A, B, C, D, or proficiency exam credit. Courses graded as Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) count as attempted hours but do not impact GPA.

Federal financial aid recipients must meet the 67% Completion Rate to remain eligible for financial aid under SAP rules. For example, if a student has attempted 28 total credit hours, they must have successfully completed at least 19 hours to meet the requirement. Students who are unsure of their SAP status should consult with a Financial Aid Advisor.

Cumulative GPA Rule

Students are required to meet the minimum cumulative college GPA requirement:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Review Period

At the end of each semester, the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services reviews the records of all students who have completed a FAFSA and enrolled in courses to determine if they are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. This review evaluates three key standards: completion rate, GPA, and maximum attempted credit hours.

If a student completes an incomplete course or has a grade change, the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services is not automatically notified. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the office once the final grade is posted to ensure their SAP status is updated accordingly.

Financial Aid Warning

Students who do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards for completion rate or GPA will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one semester. During this time, they remain eligible for financial aid but must improve their academic performance to meet SAP requirements.

• Completion Rate Warning: If a student’s cumulative completion rate falls below 67%, they will have one semester on Financial Aid Warning to improve. If they do not meet the 67% completion rate by the end of that semester, they will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and lose financial aid eligibility.
• GPA Warning: If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below the required minimum for their attempted credit hours, they will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one semester. If their cumulative GPA is still below the requirement at the end of that semester, they will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and lose financial aid eligibility.

Important: There is no warning period for students who exceed the maximum timeframe for their program (150% of the required credit hours). These students are placed on immediate Financial Aid Suspension and are no longer eligible for financial aid.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements may lose their financial aid eligibility and be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

• Completion Rate Suspension: If a student’s cumulative completion rate remains below 67% after one semester on Financial Aid Warning, they will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will no longer be eligible for financial aid.
• GPA Suspension: If a student’s cumulative GPA remains below the required minimum after one semester on Financial Aid Warning, they will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will no longer be eligible for financial aid.
• Maximum Timeframe Suspension: Students who attempt more than 150% of the required credit hours for their degree or certificate program-including transfer credits and military credits-will be placed on immediate Financial Aid Suspension with no warning period.

Students on Financial Aid Suspension may explore appeal options or alternative payment methods. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.

Financial Aid Reinstatement

A student who has been placed on Financial Aid Suspension may regain eligibility in one of two ways:

1. Meeting the minimum cumulative completion rate and/or cumulative college GPA requirements outlined in this policy. Students who choose this option must enroll in and successfully complete courses without the use of financial aid funds. This means they will be responsible for paying tuition and fees out of pocket or securing alternative funding. Any unpaid balance owed to the college must be resolved before registering for future courses.
2. Submitting an appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. If the appeal is approved, the student may be placed on Financial Aid Probation or granted an extension.

Financial Aid Probation Status

A student who submits an appeal for not meeting the Minimum Course Completion Rate and/or GPA requirement, and has their appeal approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee, will be placed on Financial Aid Probation.

During this probationary period, financial aid will be reinstated; however, the student must successfully complete 100 percent of their attempted credit hours each semester with a minimum semester GPA of 2.0. The student must continue to meet these requirements every semester until they regain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by meeting the cumulative completion rate and GPA standards outlined in this policy. Failure to meet these probation requirements in any semester will result in Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Extension Status

A student who submits an appeal for exceeding the Maximum Hours Attempted limit must also provide a graduation audit confirming that they can complete their program within one semester. If the appeal is approved, financial aid will be reinstated, and the student will be placed on Financial Aid Extension for one semester. If the program is not completed within that term, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid.

Appeal Process

Students who do not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements outlined in this policy may submit a written appeal to the Satisfactory Progress Appeals Committee. Appeal forms are available on the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services website.

Appeals must clearly explain why the student did not meet the minimum standards and what changes have been made that will allow them to be successful moving forward. The committee will consider extenuating circumstances such as medical issues, family crises, personal hardships, or other factors that negatively impacted academic performance. While supporting documentation is optional, students are encouraged to provide any relevant documents to strengthen their appeal. The committee may also request additional documentation as needed to assist in the review process. Appeals and supporting materials should be submitted to the Appeals Committee through the Parkland Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.

The Appeals Committee meets at least three times each semester to review appeals. Students will receive an email notification of the committee’s decision through their Parkland College email account. The Appeals Committee is composed of staff members from various departments across Parkland College.

If a student submits an appeal for failing to meet the Minimum Course Completion Rate and/or GPA requirement and the appeal is denied, they must meet the cumulative completion rate and/or GPA requirements on their own before regaining financial aid eligibility. Subsequent appeals can be reviewed no sooner than five years after the most recent appeal denial.

If a student submits an appeal for exceeding the Maximum Hours Attempted limit and the appeal is denied, they will be placed on Financial Aid Cancellation Status and will no longer be eligible for financial aid. The decision of the committee is final.