Apply for FAFSA

Students who wish to receive consideration for financial aid funds (grants/loans/student employment, and many scholarship programs) must complete the financial aid application process every academic year. At Chicago State University (CSU) the academic year begins with the Fall semester and ends with the Summer semester. Whether you are an incoming or returning student (in an undergraduate, graduate or professional program), the application process is the same. The first step you must take is to complete a FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA establishes eligibility for Federal Student Aid Programs and most State of Illinois and many CSU aid programs.

 

You are encouraged to complete and submit a FAFSA online. CSU’s Federal school code is 001694. You will need to enter this code, so that the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) sends us a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR). Comprehensive information concerning your FAFSA filing options are available on the same site.

Apply for a FSA ID - The fastest way to complete the FAFSA application process is to electronically sign your application on-line. You can do this if you have a FSA ID assigned by the USDE. All students (and parents of dependent students) should apply for a FSA ID. If you do not have a FSA ID you may, of course, print out a signature page from the FAFSA web site and mail it to the address indicated on that signature page.

Request a copy of a Federal Income Tax Form - You will, in most cases, need a copy of your Federal Income Tax Form (and your parents' forms too, if you are a dependent student) in order to complete your FAFSA. If you can’t locate this important document(s) you can easily obtain the needed copy(s), free of charge, from the IRS.

Once your FAFSA has been processed you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). If you filed via the internet (and were able to sign your FAFSA with your FSA ID) and you provided your e-mail address on the FAFSA you will be able to access your SAR via the Internet within two business days. If you filed a paper FAFSA, or via the internet without providing an e-mail address, you can expect to receive a printed copy of your SAR in approximately three weeks. Our office will receive an electronic copy of your SAR (provided you included our Federal school code) once processing is completed.

You should review your SAR thoroughly. If additional information is required, or you see that you made an error in any of the information you provided in your original filing, it is your obligation to provide the additional/correct information in order to complete the FAFSA process. Our office will receive electronic copies of any additions/corrections you make.

Illinois Map Grant

By filing a FAFSA, undergraduate Illinois residents are also completing the application process for the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. Be sure to file your FAFSA as soon as possible beginning October 1st of every year for the upcoming academic year in order to qualify for all possible Illinois grants.

2026-2027 Academic Year - The priority filing deadline for continuing students is December 1, 2025. In order to ensure you receive your maximum eligibility, please complete your FAFSA prior to this date. The MAP Suspense date for the 2026-27 academic year is April 23, 2026. ISAC has announced the suspense of 2026-27 MAP awards for all students whose initial 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is received by the Central Processing System (CPS), or whose initial Alternative Application for Illinois Financial is received by ISAC after April 23, 2026. Students whose FAFSA or Alternative Application are received after this date will be placed on a waiting list for MAP grant funds.

Because you completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, you are also considered for financial aid from the State of Illinois. You may qualify for a State of Illinois MAP grant—financial aid from the State of Illinois that is based on financial need and does not have to be repaid. If you are eligible:  • Your financial aid offer from the school includes an estimated amount listed as IL MAP (estimated). • The amount listed is an estimate. The final amount may change depending on how much funding the state provides this year, as well as the number of hours you’re enrolled and your other sources of aid. • MAP grant awards may be received for up to about 4½ years of full-time college. • You can learn more about the State of Illinois MAP grant and check how many credit hours you have used on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission website: isac.org/mapgrant You may also qualify for help with dependent care expenses and food costs. • Ask your financial aid office if you would benefit from the federal dependent care allowance. • Call the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hotline at 800.359.2163 or visit the website at ilhunger.org for information about food assistance. • Contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800.843.6154 or visit the website dhs.state.il.us for information about the Child Care Assistance Program and/or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.