Financial Aid & Scholarships

Illinois requires FAFSA completion as a requirement for high school graduation.

The rapidly rising cost of a post-secondary education oftentimes makes the decision process extremely difficult and is often centered around affordability and overall cost.  The completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application can assist your senior with paying for the cost of his/her continuing education.

As of August 2, 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 2719 into effect which mandates that:

  • All seniors in the State of Illinois will be required to complete the FAFSA application as a requirement to attain a high school diploma
  • If parent/guardian does want to apply for financial aid, a FAFSA Nonparticipation Form must be filed with District 215
  • Failure to comply may result in student not participating in graduation ceremony

Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school. 

The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid allows qualifying undocumented 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.

2026 - 2027 Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form

This form must be completed by a parent/guardian to opt a student out of the Illinois State Board of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid application requirement. Students who are 18 years of age or legally emancipated may complete the form themselves.

Illinois State Assistance Commission (ISAC) is the Illinois college access and financial aid agency, helping students plan, apply and pay for college.

ISAC Representative Contact Information:

Amber Dixon

Illinois Student Assistance Commission
ISACorps-South Suburban Community College District
(708) 975-0032
Amber.Dixon@illinois.gov

Illinois State Assistance Commission (ISAC) Financial Aid Presentation

Click here for English. / Haga clic aquí para español.

For more information about financial aid for college, contact Mr. Matt Johnson, FAFSA designee at 708-585-2021 or mjohnson@tfd215.org or Ms. Marcia James, ISAC Coordinator at 708-585-2020 or mjames@tfd215.org 


Scholarship Application Process:

  1. Complete an application from the scholarship website.

  2. Visit Parchment to create an account and request your transcripts to be sent electronically.

  3. Submit all required documents to your counselor to be uploaded to your Parchment account at least 10 days prior to the scholarship deadline.

Scholarship Search Resources:

Find and apply for as many scholarships as you can - it's free money for college or career school! 

Specific Scholarship Links

AHEPA Foundation
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) applicants must be high school seniors, have a minimum of a "B" cumulative grade point average, and be either of Greek heritage or have a parent that is an active member of the AHEPA family.

American Legion Premier - Illinois Boys State
Illinois Boys State is proud to offer nine scholarships totaling over $15,000 each year to Boys State participants. All scholarships are based upon merit achieved during the Boys state program, with the exception of the Samsung Scholarship as well as the essay and oration contests, which may be prepared ahead of time. While a citizen may receive more than one scholarship, no single citizen may receive cumulative awards of more than $5000 at the state level.

Art Scholarship - Augustana College
Prospective art students are invited to submit original work to Augustana Department of Art for a portfolio review.  Augustana offers art scholarships up to $4,000 annually for students who declare a major or minor in art, graphic design or art education.

Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran FraternityThree $1,500 scholarships for Lutheran men attending University of Illinois, Indiana University, or Purdue University.

Bruce Fishkin Scholarship Fund
Offers "full ride" scholarships, including tuition, room & board and books, to any accredited college or university.  Must be a high school senior with a 3.0 or greater.

CISCO - Construction Industry Service Corporation
CISCO now offers (2), four-year scholarships ($2,000/year) to high school seniors; (2), two-year awards ($1,000/year) for seniors planning to attend community college; and (2), two-year continuing education awards ($1,000/year) to union members or contractor employees. 

DAR Good Citizens Scholarship
The NSDR awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to pursuit of degrees in diverse disciplines including history, law, nursing, and education.

Delta Sigma Theta JASSAC Scholarship
Student of color with a 2.75 GPA enrolled in the "604--" or "608--" zip code area. Completed application packet must be received on or before March 15.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Honoring the legacy and character of our 40th president, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.

George M. Pullman
The George M. Pullman Educational Foundation maintains different types of scholarship programs, each designed to meet the needs of specific groups of college-bound students in Cook County. Each year, the foundation provided financial assistance to students who are: first year candidates (high school seniors entering college) and renewing students (Pullman Scholars continuing in college).

Golden Apple Foundation
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program recruits and prepares a diverse group of bright and talented high school graduates and college sophomores who have the promise for successful careers as excellent teachers in high-need schools throughout Illinois.

Greenhouse Scholars
Four-year need-based college scholarship of up to $5,000 per year to high-performing, under-resourced students who have demonstrated the values of leadership, community, accountability, and relentlessness.  3.5 unweighted GPA or higher and a household income no greater than $70,000.

Herff Jones
Quantitative criteria: GPA, class rank, test scores, honors, activities on campus and hours/types of community service. 

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates, and required documents.

Holba Family Scholarship
This scholarship program was established by the Holba family as a way to give back to current T.F. South Student-Athletes who demonstrate good character and leadership both in the classroom and on the athletic field of play. The scholarship was created to honor Thomas J. Holba Sr., a 1957 Mendel Catholic HS graduate, Lansing resident since 1977, High School and Collegiate Football, Baseball and Basketball Official for over 40 years and father of five former  Student-Athletes: Bob (Class of 1982), Tom Jr. (Class of 1984), Sue (Class of 1986), Bill (Class of 1989) and Mike (Class of 1999).

Horatio Alger Association
Critical financial need ($50,000 or less adjusted gross family income preferred, if higher an explanation must be provided) and involvement in co-curricular or community activities required.  Please visit website for additional details.

Illinois AMVETS Scholarship
Every year Amvets awards multiple scholarships to current Illinois high school seniors.  Scholarships include nursing students, trade schools, and children of war veterans.

Illinois PTA Lillian E. Glover Scholarship Program<br>Graduating seniors with a 3.0 non-weighted GPA entering an Education or Education-related degree program requiring certification from a state board of education.

Illinois Sheriff's Association
ISA will be awarding four $500 scholarships for Cook County students wishing to pursue higher education.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows - Illinois
Deserving students wishing to continue their education in any post-secondary school or accredited vocational/technical school should apply.  Applicants need not be affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but must be a resident of Illinois and a citizen of the United States.

Infinite Scholars Program
Infinite Scholars Program hosts an annual college and scholarship fair to help low-income and first generation college students attend accredited institutions of higher learning.

Italian Catholic Federation
The ICF offers $400 scholarships to Roman Catholic graduating seniors of Italian descent who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2.

Jackie Robinson Foundation
Must be a graduating minority senior attending a 4-year accredited and approved institution in the US, show leadership potential, community service, present evidence of financial need, and have an ACT score of 22 or higher.

Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program
Nominees must be between 6-18 years old and must be nominated by someone 21 years or older. Parents may nominate their own children.

NAACP Scholarships
A variety of scholarships from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

National Security Agency
The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors, particularly minority students, planning to major in computer science or computer/electrical engineering.

Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarship
High school senior with an adjusted gross income of $48,500 or less with a 3.0+ GPA residing in Cook, Dupage, Kane, Lake, or Will counties.  Visit webpage for more information and application.

QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship
If you are a high school junior who has a strong academic record and an annual household income of less than $60,000, you are encouraged to apply. The scholarship awards high-achieving low-income students to compete for admission to leading colleges such as Brandeis, Emory, Harvard, Stanford, Notre Dame, Penn and Yale.

Ron Edmonds Scholarship Award
Students of Color or Students of Poverty who are seeking a post-secondary education. High school students must show proof of acceptance into a college or University.

South Suburban College
Board of Trustees Scholarship includes two years of tuition for all TFS students with a 3.5 or higher GPA.  Please visit website for applications and additional scholarship opportunities.

South Suburban Cultural Enrichment Organization (SSCEO)
High school seniors that live in the south suburbs of Illinois with a 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA.  Visit website for application and additional information.

Student-View Scholarship Program
No minimum ACT/SAT or GPA, No essay required, no lengthy application forms and No Application fees. The scholarship will be awarded via a random drawing of all completed applications.

Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation
Please visit website for application and requirements.

Tom Joyner Foundation "Full-Ride" Scholarship
Must attend an HBCU and have 3.5 GPA and 30 ACT.

Twenty Pearls Foundation
TPF offers multiple scholarships to African-American high school seniors.  Please visit the website or call 708-829-8936 for more information.

UNCF Program Service Scholarships
UNCF administers various scholarship programs. Each program has its own criteria, open/close dates, and required documents.

University of Chicago
Families with incomes below $90,000 a year will have their federal student loan obligation reduced or eliminated with grants from UChicago.

US Bank Scholarship Program
Forty lucky high school seniors/college undergraduates will win a $1,000 US Bank scholarship.  Must attend a US Bank student loan eligible four-year college or university.  Winners are selected randomly.  Further details, including college or university eligibility, can be found at the website.

VFW Post 311 Commander's Scholarship
Benjamin O. Davis VFW Post 311 offers a scholarship to descendants of an honorably discharged veteran with a minimum 2.5 GPA.  Please visit website for application and additional information.

WACE Advancing Cooperative & Work-Integrated Education
To qualify for this scholarship, students must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale and be accepted to a WACE Partner Institution.

William J. Cook Scholarship
Must be male high school seniors attending a high school in Cook County, Illinois, who plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited four-year college or university. Please keep in mind that recipients are selected on basis of both merit and financial need. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of $1,000 financial need to receive an award.