Skip to Content Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois

Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program

The number of grants made through this program, as well as the individual dollar amount awarded, are subject to sufficient annual appropriations by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor.

Note that it is anticipated no awards for this program will be made for the 2012-13 academic year. See the Processing Updates section of this page for further details.

You may either scroll through this page, or click on any of the following links to go directly to a specific topic:

Program Description

If the information you provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results in a calculated zero expected family contribution when you're a college freshman, you may be eligible to receive the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program grant for up to $500.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

How to Apply

Please be aware that, based on application volume and appropriated funds for any academic year, grant funding (if any) is likely to be depleted prior to awarding all eligible applicants. When this occurs, ISAC will announce a suspension date. Award announcements for applications received after the suspension date will be placed in suspension status. Students for whom IIA Program award announcements are in suspension status will not receive IIA grant money. You are encouraged to complete and submit each academic year's FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 (for example, the 2012-13 FAFSA should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1, 2012).

While the FAFSA can be completed using either the Internet or a paper application, you will receive quicker results and decrease the potential for time-consuming errors by using FAFSA on the Web. Before you submit your application online, you must be assigned a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the U.S. Department of Education. If you (and/or your parent, if you are a dependent student) have not already been assigned a PIN, apply for one now so that you will be able to complete the FAFSA online. Once obtained, the same PIN is used to complete each year's FAFSA.

Your eligibility for the IIA Program will be automatically determined if you are classified as a freshman by the approved Illinois college at which you plan to use the award, and that college is listed on your FAFSA.

Verification of eligibility, and announcement of an estimated award amount (if any), is performed by the college. Only if you are eligible will an estimated IIA grant appear on a financial aid award letter from your college. If you are an IIA recipient, ISAC will send you a "Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Grant Program Information" document  providing more detailed information regarding the program.

How Funds Are Disbursed

ISAC works with the college to disburse funds for this program. The college certifies student eligibility and then submits a payment request on behalf of the student. Dependent upon the funding level of the State of Illinois' General Revenue Fund (GRF), it may take 105 business days or more after the date that ISAC processes the payment request before funds are received at the college from the State Comptroller's Office.

Depending on the college, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received. Qualified applicants who are awaiting receipt of funds from this program should contact the Financial Aid Office or Business Office to determine the college's policy.

Processing Updates

Note that ISAC routinely updates this section as new information becomes available. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status.

For the 2012-13 Academic Year
(last updated on January 3, 2012):

Based on the projected FY2013 state budget, which determines funding levels for the 2012-13 academic year, no funds will be allocated for the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program. Consequently, no 2012-13 awards will be made for this program.

If you are enrolled (or plan to enroll) for the 2012-13 academic year and have not yet submitted a FAFSA, you are still encouraged to do so as soon as possible. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for other forms of federal and state financial assistance.

For the 2011-12 Academic Year
(last updated on September 12, 2011):

Based on the FY2012 state budget, which determines funding levels for the 2011-12 academic year, the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program has not been funded. Consequently, no 2011-12 awards will be made for this program.

If you are enrolled (or plan to enroll) for the 2011-12 academic year and have not yet submitted a FAFSA, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial assistance.

Click here to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).