Applying for Aid

Complete FAFSA

Choosing a college is not about finding the best deal, it’s about finding the best value for your investment. We promote access for students from all backgrounds:

  • Need-based aid and first-year scholarships and transfer scholarships are awarded to over 95 percent of students
  • Over $45 million in institutional grants and scholarships were awarded last year to North Central students
  • Graduate students are not eligible for all types of financial aid, but there are many different types of resources available to you to help you fund your education.

Unlike many students who attend large universities, our students have access to all the classes they need to graduate in four years. Not only does that save tuition and room and board, it means a timely beginning to graduate school or your career.

We want to help you reach your educational goals. As you plan your education, your admission counselor will play a significant role in discussing financial aid with you and your family. We’ll assist you with investigating and maximizing your resources, like scholarships, grants, loans and employment.

Upon your admittance to North Central as a degree-seeking student take advantage of the available financial aid resources by following a few important steps.

Know and prioritize key deadlines

Federal student aid is distributed largely on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly recommend you complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by December 31.  North Central’s FAFSA code number is 001734. The FAFSA deadline is also important in determining your eligibility for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) programs. All dates are subject to change by ISAC.

When you complete the FAFSA, you’re applying for the following types of aid:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
  • Federal Perkins Loan Program
  • Federal Work-Study (FWS)
  • Federal Direct Student Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)
  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program
  • North Central College grants

*IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT YOUR FAFSA APPLICATION: The U.S. Dept. of Education randomly selects a portion of all FAFSA applications for verification. A school is required to collect documentation verifying the FAFSA has been completed accurately. After we receive your FAFSA result, you may receive a letter or an email requesting additional information to verify the data submitted on the FAFSA. If you are selected, verification must be completed before our office can consider you for financial assistance. For the verification process, complete the following steps:

  • Complete the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on FAFSA or submit a copy of your federal income tax return transcript and W-2s.
  • Complete the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on FAFSA or submit a copy of your parent(s) federal income tax transcript and W-2s (if you’re considered a dependent based on FAFSA dependency questions)
  • Complete the Institutional Verification Form (IVF).
  • Provide other information as requested by our office as part of the verification process.

Please note: Any person who intentionally makes false statements or misrepresentations on a federal aid application is violating the law and subject to a fine, imprisonment or both under the provision of the U.S. Criminal Code.

Other key deadlines in obtaining financial aid

Deadlines for Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) programs: We suggest you have a valid FAFSA filed no later than December 31 in order to be considered for state grant funding for the academic year.  All dates are subject to change by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Determine your eligibility for aid

Along with your FAFSA application, the following conditions are required in order to be eligible for financial aid:

  • Enrolled at least half-time (undergraduate, 4 credit hours/term; graduate, 3 credit hours/term) in a degree-seeking program. Some programs require full-time enrollment
  • U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Registered with the Selective Service, if required
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • If requested by our office, completed Institutional Verification Form IVF and submitted other requested documents
  • Making satisfactory academic progress toward your degree
  • Not in default on a Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan (Guaranteed Student Loan), Federally Insured Student Loan (FISL), Federal Supplemental Loan for Students (SLS) or Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Auxiliary Loan to Assist Students (ALAS), Illinois Opportunity Loan (IOL), Federal Consolidation Loan or Income Contingent Loan
  • Don’t owe a repayment on a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Pell Grant, State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG), or Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program Grant (ISAC MAP)
  • Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
  • Accepted for admission or readmission. North Central reviews your financial aid application once you’ve been admitted.
  • Never convicted of drug-related offenses. Effective July 1, 2000, a student's eligibility for federal student aid is suspended if the student is convicted, under federal or state law, of any offense involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance while receiving federal aid. Any such suspension of eligibility begins on the date of conviction and lasts until the end of a statutorily specified period. The suspension of eligibility ranges from one year to indefinite, depending on the number and type of convictions. A student may regain eligibility early by completing a drug rehabilitation program that meets certain statutory and regulatory requirements or if the conviction is overturned.

Campus employment/Work Study programs

Campus Employment

We offer a variety of employment opportunities on campus to enrolled students. From tour guide in the Office of Admission, computer programmer on special projects, office assistant, to campus security officer, most jobs pay the current minimum wage. Browse campus employment opportunities here. You may also contact the Career Development Office at 630.637.5145.

Federal Work-Study Program(FWS)

To be considered for FWS, you'll need to file the FAFSA. We’ll determine your eligibility based on your financial need and, if awarded, you may earn $300 to $1,000 annually. The available positions vary greatly and are not guaranteed.  If you secure a federal work study position, you will earn a regular bi-weekly paycheck.  Funds from this financial aid program are not applied directly to your student account.