ISAC Student PortalNES Eligibility Requirements
NOTICE: 2026-27 Alternative Application
As of July 24, 2026, a federal district court ruled that undocumented students are no longer eligible to receive state financial assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the 2026-2027 school year. As a result, the 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, the application certain undocumented students would have used to apply for state financial aid programs this academic year, is no longer available. This means that students who have submitted or planned to submit the 2026-27 Alternative Application, such as Illinois undocumented students, cannot be considered for this program for the 2026-27 school year.
The eligibility criteria for the 2027–28 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid will be changing. This application is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2026. Please visit isac.org/AlternativeApp for more information.
{ISAC Rules, Part 2749.100}
To qualify for a Nursing Education Scholarship, an applicant must:
- be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (FSA Handbook Volume 1, Chapter 2)
- be an Illinois resident for at least one year prior to the date of application
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment to a nursing or nursing education program in Illinois that is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or the Illinois Board of Higher Education
- demonstrate financial need
- maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the college
- establish satisfactory repayment arrangements if they are in default on any federal student loan
- sign an Application/Work Agreement/Promissory Note promising to fulfill the employment commitment or repay funds received, plus interest
