Financial Aid

Helping You Pay for College

At Oakton, we understand that affordable, quality education is a game-changer. We also know that you are unique and your goals are important, so our dedication to providing accessible and equitable education extends beyond the classroom. From affordable tuition and fees and payment plans to grants, loans, student employment and scholarships, we are here to help you pay for college so that you can focus on what matters: forging your path to success.

Most financial aid options require a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have any questions as you get started, please contact our financial aid offices on the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses.

Complete Your FAFSAView Tuition and FeesView Payment OptionsCost of Attendance 

Applying for Aid

It’s easy to apply for financial assistance at Oakton. Here’s what to do. 

  1. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Oakton's school code is 009896.
  2. Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education. The SAR estimates the amount you and/or your family are able to contribute toward college expenses; your aid award is based on the difference between the College’s cost of attendance and this amount.
  3. Complete financial aid verification using Oakton's Verify FAFSA tool. 
  4. Submit the Oakton College Scholarship Application if you’re applying for an Oakton-funded scholarship.
  5. Check application procedures for any additional scholarship programs. For instance, some Illinois financial aid programs require separate applications. Check the College Illinois Web site for more information. 

Eligible undocumented and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial aid may apply for state financial aid through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

These grant programs are funded through the federal or state government, and are gifts that do not have to be repaid. For more information, see the Federal Student Aid Home page or the Illinois Student Assistance Commission website.

These programs are grants: They are gift monies and repayment is not required.

Oakton Grants

Name

Minimum
Award

Maximum
Award

Repayment
Required

Federal Pell Grant

$330

$7,395*

No

Federal SEOG

$100

$1,200*

No

Federal G.I.
(Veterans) Benefits

$41

$1,075/month*

No

ISAC MAP Grant

$250

$3,900*

No

ISAC-IVG Grant

$42

$2,520*

No

Oakton College Scholarships

$100

$3,500*

No

SGA Tuition Assist
(Student Government Association)

$90

$2,160*

No

*Subject to change based on federal, state, or institutional funding.

Like grants, scholarship funds don't require repayment. They are provided through the generosity of businesses, associations and individuals who are as invested in your success as we are. These scholarships reward student achievement and encourage student leadership and accomplishment.

Learn More

The federal government offers a number of student loan options including subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

These programs help a student borrow money in the form of a student loan. These programs are loans and must be repaid. 

For information on the following loans, consult the Federal Student Aid Home Page.

Student Loan Options

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

$200

$3,500
(fresh.), $4,500 (soph.)

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

$200

$4,000*

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Additional)

$200

$2,000

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

$500

Cost, less estimated FA

Build your professional experience and get involved with the college while making money for your education with a paid position offered through the Student Employee Program.

This program is funded through the federal or state government and helps students find on-campus or community service employment. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid Home Page or Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

The financial aid awarded in this program comes in the form of wages from an on-campus job.

Student Employee Program

Name

Minimum Award

Maximum Award

Repayment Required

Federal Work-Study

$500

$3500*

No

*Subject to change based on federal, state, or institutional funding.

Individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard) may be eligible for federal or state benefits.

Eligible undocumented and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial aid may apply for state financial aid through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

Learn More

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 allows a student to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for up to 150 percent of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award for an award year. This provision is effective beginning with the 2017-2018 financial aid award year.

To be eligible for the additional Pell Grant funds, the student must meet all general eligibility requirements to receive financial aid for the payment period and must be enrolled at least half time in the payment period for which the student receives the additional Pell Grant funds in excess of 100 percent of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award.

Important Note: The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by federal law to be 600 percent.  If a student's lifetime eligibility used (LEU) equals or exceeds 600 percent, the student may no longer receive Pell Grant funding. Students can log online to view their Pell Grant LEU.

Oakton College will review student records in the spring semester to determine eligibility for a summer Pell award. Summer awards will be based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours) and award amounts will be adjusted or canceled once enrollment is confirmed and academic progress is reviewed.  

Oakton financial aid is only available for students who are seeking a degree or certificate at Oakton. If a student only registers in summer courses at Oakton, the student is not eligible for financial aid at Oakton.  

Please review the following examples to help with determining eligibility for an additional Pell Grant award.

Pell Grant Award - Scenario 1

Scenario 1

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

Summer 2018

Enrollment

12 hours

12 hours

6 hours

Pell award

$2960 (50%)

$2960 (50%)

$1480 (25%)

Pell Grant Award - Scenario 2

Scenario 2

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

Summer 2018

Enrollment

12 hours

12 hours

3 hours

Pell award

$2960 (50%)

$2960 (50%)

$0 (0%)

Pell Grant Award - Scenario 3

Scenario 3

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

Summer 2018

Enrollment

12 hours

12 hours

12 hours

Pell award

$2960 (50%)

$2960 (50%)

$2960 (50%)

Pell Grant Award - Scenario 4

Scenario 4

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

Summer 2018

Enrollment

12 hours

9 hours

6 hours

Pell award

$2960 (50%)

$2220 (37.5%)

$1480 (25%)

Pell Grant Award - Scenario 5

Scenario 5

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

Summer 2018

Enrollment

9 hours

9 hours

6 hours

Pell award

$2220 (37.5%)

$2220 (37.5%)

$1480 (25%)

Dates and Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is an important part of the financial aid process. Applicants must meet particular dates to be considered for the most financial aid options.

The Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines are below.

2023

January 2023

Academic progress reviewed for spring 2023 financial aid recipients. Students who are not in compliance will be notified by of loss of financial aid beginning spring 2023 semester.

January 17, 2023

Spring semester classes begin.

March 1, 2023

  • Financial aid documentation and forms due in order to meet summer 2023 tuition payment due date for new financial aid applicants.
  • 2023-2024 Academic Merit Scholarship Application due
  • 2023-2024 Wentcher Scholarship Application due

March 5, 2023

Deadline to register for spring 2023 classes to be considered for financial aid. Financial aid will not be available for students who register after this date.

March 15, 2023

Deadline to submit spring 2023 financial aid academic progress appeals.

March 20-22, 2023

Priority registration for summer 2023 semester.

March 31, 2023

2023-2024 Oakton Foundation Scholarship Application due.

April 3-5, 2023

Priority registration for fall 2023 semester.

May 2023

Academic progress reviewed for summer 2023 financial aid recipients. Students who are not in compliance will be notified by mail of loss of financial aid beginning summer 2023 session.

May 1, 2023

  • Deadline to submit any documents to be considered for spring 2023 financial aid.
  • Pell Grant recipients may begin requesting book vouchers for summer 2023.
  • Financial aid documents due in order to meet fall 2023 tuition payment due date for new financial aid applicants.

June 15, 2023

Deadline to submit any documents to be considered for summer 2023 financial aid.

July 2, 2023

Deadline to register for summer 2023 classes to be considered for financial aid. Financial aid will not be available for students who register after this date.

July 7, 2023

Deadline to submit summer 2023 financial aid academic progress appeals.

August 2023

Academic progress reviewed for fall 2023 financial aid recipients. Students who are not in compliance will be notified by mail of loss of financial aid beginning fall 2023 semester.

August 1, 2023

Pell Grant recipients may begin requesting book vouchers for fall 2023.

August 21, 2023

Fall semester classes begin.

October 8, 2023

Deadline to register for fall 2023 classes to be considered for financial aid. Financial aid will not be available for students who register after this date.

October 15, 2023

Deadline to submit fall 2023 financial aid academic progress appeals.

November 1, 2023

Financial aid documents due in order to meet spring 2024 tuition payment due date for new financial aid applicants.

November 13-15, 2023

Priority registration for spring 2024 semester.

December 1, 2023

  • Pell Grant recipients may begin requesting book vouchers for spring 2024.
  • Deadline to submit any documents and be considered for fall 2023 financial aid.

2024

January 2024

Academic progress reviewed for spring 2024 financial aid recipients. Students who are not in compliance will be notified by of loss of financial aid beginning spring 2024 semester.

January 16, 2024

Spring semester classes begin.

March 1, 2024

  • Financial aid documentation and forms due in order to meet summer 2024 tuition payment due date for new financial aid applicants.
  • 2024-2025 Academic Merit Scholarship Application due.
  • 2024-2025 Wentcher Scholarship Application due.

March 3, 2024

Deadline to register for spring 2024 classes to be considered for financial aid. Financial aid will not be available for students who register after this date.

 March 15, 2024

Deadline to submit spring 2024 financial aid academic progress appeals.

March 18-20, 2024

Priority registration for summer 2024 semester.

March 31, 2024

2024-2025 Oakton Foundation Scholarship Application due.

April 1-3, 2024

Priority registration for fall 2024 semester.

May 2024

Academic progress reviewed for summer 2024 financial aid recipients. Students who are not in compliance will be notified by mail of loss of financial aid beginning summer 2024 session.

May 1, 2024

  • Deadline to submit any documents to be considered for spring 2024 financial aid.
  • Pell Grant recipients may begin requesting book vouchers for summer 2024.
  • Financial aid documents due in order to meet fall 2024 tuition payment due date for new financial aid applicants

June 13, 2024

Deadline to submit any documents to be considered for summer 2024 financial aid.

June 30, 2024

Deadline to register for summer 2024 classes to be considered for financial aid. Financial aid will not be available for students who register after this date.

July 7, 2024

Deadline to submit summer 2024 financial aid academic progress appeals.

August 2024

Academic progress reviewed for fall 2024 financial aid recipients. Students who are not in compliance will be notified by mail of loss of financial aid beginning fall 2024 semester.

Important Information for Financial Aid Recipients

All scholarship, veterans, and financial assistance recipients must enroll in the Financial Aid EZ Pay Payment Plan–even if tuition and fees are covered in full–because any change in enrollment status may result in decreased eligibility for financial aid. Students expecting financial assistance to pay their tuition and fees also must enroll in EZ Pay.

Change in Your Financial Situation

Has your financial situation significantly changed since you completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

If so, you (and your parents, if dependent) should file your taxes as soon as possible. This information is needed to determine if a special circumstance qualifies you for more financial aid.

Examples of changes to your (or your parents, if dependent) financial situation:

  • Loss of job.
  • Marital status change (divorce, separation, widowed).
  • Extremely high medical expenses not covered by insurance.
  • Dependency status change (documented proof of no relationship with parents).

Personal choices that cannot be considered for a special circumstance are:

  • Voluntarily decreasing work hours to attend college.
  • Resigning or leaving a job voluntarily.
  • Excessive credit card or mortgage debt.

We are here to help. Schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor.

Financial Assistance Team

Des Plaines

  • Harold Bell, Financial Assistance Advisor and Analyst
  • Josh Budruweit, Financial Assistance Advisor and Analyst
  • Elizabeth Gilbert, Manager of Student Financial Assistance
  • Lauren Hackett, Scholarship Coordinator
  • Jamie Petersen, Senior Manager of Financial Assistance and Scholarships

Skokie

  • Jenna Roecker, Financial Assistance and Financial Literacy Coordinator

To contact the Financial Assistance Team, email financialaid@oakton.edu.