Financial Information

Total cost is calculated using the following table:

Online courses offered by Kishwaukee College will be charged in-district tuition.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. See www.kish.edu for current tuition and fee rates.

A variable tuition rate of $73.50 per credit hour, in addition to the standard tuition rate, will be applied to all courses in Automotive Technology, Diesel Power, Esthetics, Technology and Manufacturing  (formally Manufacturing), Therapeutic Massage, Registered Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Welding Technology programs.

Financial Aid

A variety of financial aid options are available to qualified students to help meet the costs of attending Kishwaukee College. The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering and coordinating aid funds from federal, state, private, and college sources. Questions concerning financial assistance should be directed to this office.

Types of Assistance

Financial aid consists of the following: Scholarships: Gift assistance usually based on academic achievement, major, and/or special ability; Grants: Gift assistance usually based on financial need; Loans: Funds to be repaid after a student graduates, stops attending or drops below a Half-Time Status; Employment: Earnings from a part-time job on or off campus.

In 2022-2023, over 1,100 students received $5.6 million in financial aid funds at Kishwaukee College.

Application procedures for non-need programs are indicated in the description of individual programs. Procedures for applying for need-based programs are in the catalog section titled General Application Procedures and Policies for Need-Based Programs.

In addition, the Financial Aid Office acts as a liaison between the Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, the Veterans Administration and others, to assist students to receive educational benefits from these agencies.

Students must not have an outstanding balance from a prior enrollment to be eligible to register for classes.

To apply for the Pell Grant, Illinois State Monetary Award (MAP), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work- Study Program, Direct Loan (both subsidized and unsubsidized loans), and/or Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), students must complete:

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, if ineligible to apply with the FAFSA.
2. Additional College Financial Aid Forms based on FAFSA results.
3. Kishwaukee College Academic Progress Requirements.
4. Official academic transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions attended are strongly encouraged for ALL loan applicants.
5. Kishwaukee College Loan/PLUS Information form for all student and parent loan applicants.

All forms are available on myKish-Self Service-Financial Aid or from the college’s website https://kish.edu/payforcollege. Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Kishwaukee College’s federal school code is 007684. To receive full consideration for all types of financial aid, students should complete and submit the FAFSA when it becomes available after December 31, 2023, for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Check with the Financial Aid Office for changes for the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) collects information on the student’s family situation, including income, assets, family size, and number of family members attending college. A student who meets the independent student definition on the FAFSA receives financial aid on the basis of the student’s/spouse’s (when applicable) financial situation. This data is used by the federal processor to determine how much the student and his/her family can contribute toward the educational costs at Kishwaukee College. The result of this calculation is called the Student Aid Index (SAI). Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending Kishwaukee College and the amount the student and the family can contribute.

The Financial Aid Office uses this information to develop a financial aid package of awards for each student. Financial aid is packaged as a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans.

Students receiving financial aid must be enrolled in a Kishwaukee College program of study that leads to a degree (A.A., A.S., A.F.A., A.E.S., A.A.S., A.G.S.) or certificate program of 16 hours or more. Depending on individual student eligibility, some Pell Grant and IL MAP recipients may need to be enrolled in a minimum number of credits to be eligible. Courses students are enrolled in must count towards the students’ program of study.

A repayment may be required for all, or a portion of, the aid received for that term, including charges in the college bookstore for courses withdrawn during the drop period.

Students receiving federal or state financial aid who drop some or all of their classes during the refund period may no longer be eligible for financial aid awards. Therefore, a repayment may be required of all or a portion of the aid received for that term, including charges in the college bookstore.

Financial aid recipients who attend Kishwaukee College and withdraw from all courses before 60% of the term has elapsed and/or receive all failing grades (F’s) or Incompletes (I’s) may owe a portion of the financial aid awards disbursed. Students “earn” financial aid based on the length of time they stay enrolled each semester. Repayment of “unearned” financial aid must be made to the Kishwaukee College Business Office before the student can register for the next semester. In addition, the student may lose financial aid eligibility (see Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress - SAP section).

Students and their families may be eligible for tax benefits for education when tuition and fees are paid by the student or family and when U.S. income taxes are owed. Consult a tax preparation expert, IRS publication 970, or the IRS for details and requirements.

Students who are attending multiple institutions at the same time are only eligible to receive financial aid from one school. Schools can enter into an agreement, known as a Consortium Agreement, where the school granting the student a degree/certificate (Home school) considers the enrollment at the other school (host school) and accepts credits earned towards that degree/certificate. Students who plan to be enrolled at multiple schools should consult the Financial Aid Office.

In order to receive federal and state financial aid at Kishwaukee College, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as defined below. The SAP requirements for financial aid recipients include a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, successful completion of 67% of all attempted courses, and completion of a program within the maximum time frame allotted. The complete academic progress standards policy is available in the Financial Aid Office and on the college’s website.

Students must complete their program of study before the total number of attempted hours exceeds 150% of the credits required to complete that academic program. (Example: a two-year associate degree requires 64 credits, 150%=96, so after 96 hours have been attempted, the student would no longer be eligible for financial aid). All enrollments at Kishwaukee College (except Developmental Math and English classes),transfer credits are considered, even if no financial aid was previously received. Students who exceed the Maximum Time Frame do not receive a warning semester and must appeal to continue to be eligible for financial aid.

Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA and/or completion rate requirement(s) remain eligible for one term in a Warning status. At the end of the Warning semester the students must meet the GPA and completion rate requirement to be eligible or submit an appeal to request to have financial aid reinstated.

Students who are not meeting SAP after the Warning semester or have exceeded the Maximum Time Frame may appeal to have their financial aid reinstated. Appeals must document extenuating circumstances that impacted academic performance and any corrective actions taken. Appeals can be completed online or on paper. The links and instructions can be obtained from the College website.

Click on Tuition Hardship Appeal   for more information concering this type of appeal.

A student who has lost their financial aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress may be eligible for reinstatement when the student is again meeting the minimum SAP requirements.

Federal and state regulations allow students to receive financial aid to repeat a course one time when the credit has been earned previously, and a grade of A, B, C, D or, P was received.

To receive veterans benefits, veterans must maintain Academic Good Standing. A one-semester probation/warning period is allowed for veterans to regain good academic standing. Veterans with an ineligible standing will not be certified to receive monthly GI Bill^TM Benefits, Illinois Veterans Grant, Illinois National Guard Scholarship or MIA/POW Scholarship. Academic Standing is defined in the VA SAP Policy, Veterans Programs & Connections | Kishwaukee College.

Extenuating circumstances that cause unsatisfactory academic progress, which can be fully documented, will be reviewed. Written appeals are sent to the Financial Aid Office by the end of the first week of the subsequent semester/term. Visit the Student Services Office (C2100) to obtain the Appeal Form.

• Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant program is for undergraduate students who have not received a bachelor’s degree with exceptional financial need. The award amount is determined by the student’s enrollment status and student’s Student Aid Index as calculated by the federal government.

The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds students may receive over their lifetime is limited by federal law to be equivalent of six years or 12 semesters of full-time Pell Grant funding. 

The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding students can receive each year is equal to 100% for Fall and Spring. If a student utilized the full 100% in Fall and Spring, they may qualify for up to an additional 50% in the Summer. Please check with the Financial Aid Office for more information.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

A federal grant made available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are also Pell Grant recipients.

• Federal Veterans Educational Benefit

Kishwaukee College provides degree and certificate programs that are approved for the use of G.I. Bill^TM and other veteran’s benefits, which could include a monthly allowance or tutorial assistance. The Financial Aid Office assists student veterans with certification of enrollment, address changes, program changes, and questions concerning benefit checks. The counseling staff provides veterans with academic advisement, and personal, educational, and career counseling, as well as referrals to external agencies for further assistance. Contact the Financial Aid Office or online at www.gibill.va.gov.

All veterans must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving monthly G.I. Bill^TM benefits and/or state grant programs including Illinois Veteran Grant, Illinois National Guard, and Illinois MIA/POW. (See section on Satisfactory Academic Progress).

Federal monthly educational benefits are provided to children, spouses, or survivors of veterans whose deaths or permanent and total disabilities were service-connected, and to spouses and children of service persons missing in action or prisoners of war. For further information on these programs contact the Financial Aid Office.

See www.isac.org/students/

• Illinois Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers

Payment for tuition and fees program for the spouse and children of a State of Illinois Department of Corrections officer killed or at least 90% disabled in the line of duty.

• Illinois MIA/POW Scholarship

Payment for tuition and some fees for  the dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service-connected disabilities or died as a result of service-connected disabilities.

• Illinois National Guard Scholarship

Payment for tuition and some fees is provided for currently enlisted members who have served at least one year in the Illinois National Guard. Students must reapply each year.

• Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP)

Payment for tuition and some fees grant for Illinois resident undergraduate students with financial need as determined by ISAC. Funding is dependent on the Illinois State budget.

• Illinois Veteran Grant

Illinois veterans may be eligible for the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) to pay tuition and some fees. The IVG is available to veterans who entered the service as Illinois residents, served one year or more active duty, were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and who returned to Illinois within six months after separation. Proof of service and/or residency requirements must be provided on the VA Report of Separation (DD214).

• Illinois Grant Program for Dependents of Police of Fire Officers

Payment for tuition and mandatory fees for surviving children and spouses of Illinois Police or Fire personnel killed in the line of duty.

Kishwaukee College offers many scholarships to students. A list of scholarships that are available from college departments, Kishwaukee College Foundation, or the Financial Aid Office may be obtained at https://kish.edu/get-started/paying/scholarships.

Most scholarships listed are awarded annually. In addition, various Internet scholarship search sites are available. Visit the Financial Aid Office website for more information.

Students are encouraged to check local civic, service, and fraternal organizations not listed through the Financial Aid Office or Kishwaukee College Foundation for possible awards. Certain scholarships require enrollment in a minimum number of credit hours.  Please review the scholarship application for more details.

Kishwaukee College Foundation provides over $450,000 in scholarships to students annually. Applications are available in the Fall and Spring. For more information on scholarship opportunities at Kish, visit https://kish.edu/get-started/paying/scholarships.

Direct Student Loans are funds that are borrowed from the federal government to help pay college expenses. These funds MUST be repaid with interest. Interest is money paid to the lender in exchange for borrowing money. Interest is calculated as a percentage of the unpaid principal amount (loan amount) borrowed. Interest rates on federal student loans are set by Congress and will vary based on the date the loan was borrowed. Rates for federal loans issued between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, are 5.5% for undergraduate Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans.

The U.S. Department of Education offers the following federal student loan programs for students at Kishwaukee College:

The Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program is the largest federal student loan program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is the student’s lender. There are three types of Direct Loans available at Kishwaukee College:

• Direct Subsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. Interest on the Direct Loan is paid by the federal government until 6 months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time (6 credits).
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The student does not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan. Students are responsible for the interest while in school.
• Direct PLUS Loans are non-need-based loans made to parents of dependent undergraduate students or graduate/professional students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Repayment of PLUS usually begins as soon as funds are paid to the borrower. The current interest rate is 8.05% for loans issued between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Loan amounts are based on costs of attendance, enrollment status and financial aid and resources awarded. Students must enroll at least half-time. Apply by completing FAFSA and College PLUS form.

To apply for a Direct Loan, students must complete a FAFSA, all necessary Financial Aid forms, and a Direct Loan Request Form.  All student applicants must also complete a Master Promissory Note and Direct Loan Entrance Counseling online at www.studentaid.gov.  

To apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, the student must have completed a FAFSA, and the parent must complete a Parent PLUS Loan application (which includes a credit check) at www.studentaid.gov.  The parent borrower must also complete a Master Promissory Note.

Official academic transcripts from ALL previous post-secondary institutions are strongly recommended in order to determine loan eligibility for Direct Loan applicants. Submit transcripts to the Student Services office.

Most federal student loans have loan fees that are deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement received. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrow. Borrowers are responsible for repaying the entire amount borrowed and not just the amount received.

The current loan fees for federal student loans are:

• 1.057% for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• 4.228% for Direct PLUS Loans

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours per term) to borrow a federal student loan. The loan is disbursed in two equal installments with disbursements at the beginning of each semester for a full-year loan. One-semester loans will have two equal installments within the semester the loan is taken out. One semester loans should only be borrowed when a student will be graduating in the Fall or first attending in the Spring semester. First-time borrowers at Kishwaukee College cannot receive the first loan disbursement until 30 days of the first term attended have elapsed.

Regulations require that the loan amount borrowed never exceed a student’s cost of attendance minus other financial aid received and minus contributions students and their families are expected to make toward educational expenses.

Maximum loan amounts are set by the Department of Education and are based on grade level, prior loan usage, and financial aid dependency status. Lifetime loan limits apply and are based on student dependency status.

Apply by completing the FAFSA and the loan application by contacting Financial Aid.

Learn more about federal student loans at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.

*All policies and procedures may be updated at any time due to changes in Federal and State Regulations of College Policies.

Student employment requires students to be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours and are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week of work. Students must be meeting standards of satisfactory academic progress (see section on satisfactory academic progress).

• Federal Work Study Program (FWS)

Jobs on campus paying at least the state minimum wage rate for students who have financial need as determined by the information provided on the FAFSA. Job opportunities and directions for applications and interviews are posted in the HR Department and on their website. Students interview with hiring departments to secure employment.

• Institutional Student Employment

Limited funds are made available for student employment by Kishwaukee College. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. The state minimum wage rate is paid. Apply by going to the college website at Student Employment for part-time work. 

Both types of student employment require students to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours and are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week of work. Students must be meeting standards of satisfactory academic progress (see section on Satisfactory Academic Progress).