What is MAP?

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) is a grant program administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and funded by the State of Illinois.  MAP provides payment toward college tuition and mandatory fee costs at Illinois institutions that participate in the program.

Eligibility for MAP is based on financial need—not high school grades or test scores— and is determined using information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or using information provided on the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (for those students who are eligible to file the latter application). MAP is awarded to students in all sectors, is available to both full- and part-time students, and is available to returning adult and traditional undergraduate students.

MAP can make the difference for those who would otherwise not have the financial resources to attend college. In the last five years alone, more than 680,000 awards have been made to Illinois students, who received more than 2.1 billion in MAP grants to help them attend a two or four-year degree program, or a technical or vocational training program after high school.

Learn more about MAP through the Students & Parents area of our website.