When to Apply

The 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) can be filed starting on October 1, 2021, using the 2020 income information. Schools and state agencies typically have priority consideration dates or deadlines associated with their gift assistance programs, so the earlier the FAFSA is filed, the better. Any 2022-23 applications received by the federal processor prior to October 1, 2021 will not be processed.

The priority consideration dates for the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) are based on the date the FAFSA is received by the federal processor. In addition to the application receipt date, certain data elements from the FAFSA are used in determining MAP eligibility. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) uses the FAFSA receipt date to determine whether a student should receive priority consideration for the MAP grant. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Given the likelihood that 2022-23 MAP award announcements will need to be suspended at some point during the processing cycle, colleges are reminded to encourage students to submit the 2022-23 FAFSA (or the Alternative Application, if applicable) as soon as possible after October 1, 2021.

Refer to the Completing a FAFSA page for details about filiing an application.