Complete Your FAFSA online today!
Make your College experience even more affordable.
Financial aid at Highland Community College is designed to supplement student and family resources in order to help meet the expenses of attending college. We believe finances should never keep anyone from pursing an education. Our team is here to help educate students and families about the resources available to you to help pay for college.
Financial Aid Students:
Please read this important announcement regarding Pell Grant eligibility.
How to Contact Us
Office Hours*
| Monday | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8 a.m. | 1 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
| Friday | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
*During Highland’s scheduled summer hours, the Financial Aid Office is closed on Fridays.
Location:
Building H (Student/Conference Center), second floor
Phone:
815-599-3519 / Fax: 815.235.6130
Email:
School Code:
The school code for Highland Community College is 001681.
Financial Aid “Self-Service”
Students may now access “self-service” to help stay on top of the financial aid process. Simply login to R.O.A.R. and select the “Financial Aid” tab to browse for information.
- Check the status of applications and review eligibility status.
- View an account summary including award history and payment schedule.
- View satisfied and unsatisfied requirements, as well as academic progress.
- Download and print required financial aid forms.
- Access general information and links to helpful websites.
Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility
In December 2011, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74). This law has significantly affected the Pell Grant Program. Beginning in Fall 2012, students are now limited to 12 semesters (or 600 percent) of Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. This change affects all students regardless of when they received their first Pell Grant.
How is the percentage calculated?
The percentages are based on the annual award at full-time enrollment status. If you were a full-time student for both fall and spring semesters in an academic year and you received the maximum annual award, the percentage used is 100 percent. If you were a ¾ time student for each semester and received a ¾ time annual award, the percentage used is 75 percent.
How do I see my Lifetime Pell Grant used?
You may view your percentage of Pell Grant used by logging into NSLDS.ed.gov. Your ‘Lifetime Eligibility Used’ percentage will be displayed in the ‘Grants’ section.
Illinois Rise Act
Effective January 1, 2020 the Retention of Illinois Student & Equity (RISE) Act will go into effect. This will be awarded to a student who is an Illinois resident and is not otherwise eligible for federal aid. Qualifications include, but are not limited to:
- A transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register with selective service, or
- A noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence
This means that some students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid can now apply for the Illinois Map grant under the RISE Act.
Since the RISE Act opens opportunities for students who are unable to receive federal financial aid, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is creating an Illinois-specific online application. Instead of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), these students will complete the RISE Act application to determine eligibility.
How to Apply:
The RISE Act application will be a separate application from the FAFSA and will be available on January 1, 2020 for the 2020-21 academic year on ISAC’s website.
Pre-screening questions at the beginning of the application will help students determine which application (RISE vs FAFSA) the student should complete.