Important Message from ISAC to Students Regarding 2010-2011 MAP Grant Funding:

The financial aid office is working diligently with ISAC to make available the most current and up-to-date information about your MAP grant. Please check collegezone.com, ISAC's Web site, for status updates about MAP awards.

Financial AiD Mission

Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program provides on-campus jobs for students needing financial aid for their educational expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the students’ course of study.  For a listing of available positions, please visit the Career Planning and Placement Office in the Student Success Center.  If you are interested in applying for an open student-aide position you may download an application form below.

Federal Work-Study Application: Student-aide Application Part 1, and Student-aide Application Part 2 .

Federal Family Education Loan Programs
Students can receive low interest loans from banks or credit unions to help pay for educational expenses not covered by grants or scholarships. Morton College participates in the Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized). Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on how to apply.

Illinois Monetary Award Program
The Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides grants that do not need to be repaid. The award does not cover audited, noncredit or continuing education courses or lab and user fees. Students can apply by completing the FAFSA and listing as the first choice any MAP-approved Illinois post-secondary institution. Funding for the MAP grant is limited. To ensure full-year consideration for an award, apply early. MAP grants can be applied only toward in-district tuition and student activity fees.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)
Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need-those with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) numbers.  Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority for FSEOG awards.

Veteran Educational Benefits
The Financial Aid Office is dedicated in helping veterans obtain educational benefits through a variety of programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).   Our institution is approved to process the following educational benefits for qualifying students:
ILLINOIS STATE PROGRAMS:
                ILLINOIS VETERAN GRANT (IVG) is a grant that will cover tuition and allowable fees at any Illinois public college, university and community college. Recipients may use IVG for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which is the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment. For eligibility requirements regarding IVG,visit the College Zone website (www.collegezone.com/studentzone/416_962.htm).
To apply, you must fill out an application and mail to ISAC with a copy of your DD214 Member 4. Download the application:(IVG APPLICATION) It takes approximately 4 weeks to process. Students will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail and once this letter is received, you must bring in a copy to the Financial Aid Office. 
                ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD GRANT (ING) is a grant that will cover tuition and certain fees at any Illinois public college, university and community college.  Recipients may use ING for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which is the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment.  The eligibility for ING must be renewed each academic year. For eligibility requirements regarding ING,visit the College Zone website (www.collegezone.com/studentzone/416_964.htm).
To apply, you must submit an online application every academic year. You may access it through www.collegezone.com/12523.htm. You will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail, once this letter is received, you must bring in a copy to the Financial Aid Office.
                ILLINOIS MIA/POW SCHOLARSHIP GRANT is a grant that will cover in-district tuition, and certain fees. Recipients may use MIA/POW for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which is equivalent to four academic years of full-time enrollment.  To qualify a student must be a dependent (spouse or child) of a veteran who has been declared by the Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be a prisoner of war; missing-in-action; died as the result of a service-connected disability; or is declared 100% disabled, and was an Illinois resident at least within six months of entering the service.
To apply, you must fill out a paper application. This application can be found at the Financial Aid Office.  A letter will be sent from the State of Illinois Veterans Office. Once you receive this letter and the identification card, you must bring a copy of the letter and ID card to the Financial Aid Office.
In order to use the above grants you must:

1. Be enrolled at an Illinois public college, university or community college
2. Not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any federal or state grant
3. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher

FEDERAL PROGRAMS:
               POST 9/11 GI BILL (CHAPTER 33) is a new education program for individuals who served active duty on or after September 11, 2001. This benefit expires after 15 years or after the 36 months of entitlement is used up whichever comes first.  Post 9/11 GI Bill pays directly to the school for student’s tuition and fees up to the predetermined percentage of eligibility established by Veterans Affairs (VA).  It can also pay the veteran a book stipend, and a basic housing allowance based on the predetermined percentage of eligibility established by the VA, and the number of credit hours the student is enrolled.  To receive the basic housing allowance a student must be enrolled in 7 credit hours or more.  For more information,visit on the official VA website (www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Post-911.htm ).
               MONTGOMERY GI BILL (CHAPTER 30) is an education program that provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. It provides a monthly payment to the veteran directly. It does not pay the school anything. Benefits expire after 10 years following your release from active duty or after the 36 months are used up whichever comes first. For more information,visit on the official VA website (www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH30/CH30_Pamphlet_General.htm ).
               MONTGOMERY GI BILL –SELECTED RESERVES (CHAPTER 1606) is an education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. Your eligibility ends when you leave the Selected Reserves. For more information,visit on the official VA website www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1606/CH1606_Pamphlet_General.htm).
               MONTGOMERY GI BILL- RESERVE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM [REAP] (CHAPTER 1607) is an education program that provides up to 36 months of benefits to a member  of the reserve component  who is called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency. Your eligibility ends when you leave the Selected Reserves.For more information,visit on the official VA website ( www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/REAP_FAQ.htm).
               MONTGOMERY GI BILL-SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE (CHAPTER 35) is an education benefit for eligible spouses and children of certain veterans.  Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits.  Spouses have 10 years from the date VA establishes eligibility to use the benefit. Surviving spouses of veterans who died while on active duty have 20 years from the date of the veteran’s death to use the benefit. Children may use the benefit while they are between the ages of 18 and 26. To apply, you may download the application VA-FORM 22-5490.For more information,visit on the official VA website (www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH35/CH35_Pamphlet_General.htm ).
               VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (CHAPTER 31) is an educational program to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs.  To apply, a veteran must have an evaluation done by the VA.  Contact the local VA Regional Office for more information.

TUITION ASSISTANCE is a benefit granted to eligible soldiers. Students must contact their commanding officer to obtain the application. Authorizations for tuition benefit payments must be submitted to the Cashier’s Office at the time of enrollment.

PROCEDURES AND POLICES
A student who has NOT used benefits before may apply online at the VA website at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp or visit the Financial Aid Office to complete the Application for VA Education Benefits. You may download the application VA-FORM 22-1990.
A student who HAS used benefits must come to the Financial Aid office to complete the application:  Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. You may download the application VA-FORM 22-1995.
All students must provide a copy of your DD214 Member 4 and/or if applicable, a copy of your NOBE.
All students must submit a Veterans Sign-up Sheet every semester you are planning to use benefits.
You must be enrolled in classes that are required for your degree program. You will NOT be certified for courses that deviate from your program.
You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress will be allowed ONE term of academic warning.  Students placed on a warning will be allowed to receive Veteran benefits for one semester. Students who fail to maintain the requirements for two semesters will be on suspension and will not be eligible for federal and/or state benefits.
Students changing their program of study are required to complete VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training.
Adding and dropping classes affect your payment status. Certifying officials must notify the VA of changes in enrollment. You may be requested to reimburse the VA the amount you were paid for the class. Please notify our Financial Aid Office as soon as possible of changes.
Students using Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 must verify their enrollment on a monthly basis before any payment can be sent. You can verify enrollment online through the WAVE system at www.gibill.va.gov or by phone at (877) 823-2378 and follow the directions.  Please note that monthly verification of enrollment must be done on the last day of each month of attendance.

MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT
Military veterans who have served at least one year of active duty and have been honorably discharged are eligible for four semester hours of credit in physical education to be applied to their transcripts. Additional credit may be granted for training received in certain service schools. A copy of the DD214 must be filed with the Office of Admissions and Records.

FINANCIAL AID
You may also be eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Both military benefits and financial aid, if eligible, may be used during the same semester.

DOWNLOAD FORMS


You can access the Higher Education Veteran Service Act Survey (.PDF) which provides contact information for specific areas.  

VETERANS REPRESENTATIVE
Financial Aid Assistant
Phone: (708) 656-8000 ext. 228 Fax: (708) 656-4625
Email: Blanca.Martinez@morton.edu
Office: Room 204B

Listed below are the Federal and State offices to which we direct applications, claims, and any required billings.

ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION (ISAC)
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: (800) 899-4722
Website: www.collegezone.com

MONTGOMERY GI BILL INFORMATION
St. Louis Regional Processing Office
P.O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830
Phone: (888) 442-4551
VA website: www.gibill.va.gov

ILLINOIS MIA/POW SCHOLARSHIP GRANT
Department of Veterans Affairs
P.O. Box 19432
833 S. Spring St.
Springfield, IL 62794-9432
Phone: (217) 782-3564
Website: www.veterans.illinois.gov/benefits/education.htm

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
VR and E Division
2122 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 980-4458

Internal Scholarship Opportunities 
Morton College offers prospective and current students the opportunity to apply for scholarships.  There are many scholarships available with various qualifications.  Updated lists of available scholarships are published in January.  Scholarship Applications are available at the Financial Aid Office or by downloading on the appropriate links below.

Scholarships 2010-2011
MC Foundation Scholarships (PDF) - Deadline April 16, 2010
Leadership and Talent Scholarship (Word document) -Deadline August 27, 2010
Academic Excellence Scholarship (Word document) -Deadline June 25, 2010

Chicagoland Regional College Program
The Chicagoland Regional College Program (CRCP) offers a solution to the high costs associated with earning your college degree or career certificate.  Through the CRCP, students attend college part-time at Morton College and work part-time at UPS in Hodgkins, Illinois.  CRCP students receive paid tuition, books and fees, transportation allowances and can qualify for housing allowances and academic bonuses while earning a paycheck. 

All st udents must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive any type of federal or state financial aid. You may open the link below that explians step by step the process a student should follow to receive finanical aid.

Click to view the Financial Aid Step by Step

1. Collect the information necessary to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Student’s drivers license and social security number
• Student’s alien registration number, if not a U.S. citizen
• Students and/or parents’ 2007 Federal tax return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040 Telefile) and W-2 forms
• Parent’s social security numbers and Date of Birth
• Parents marital status (month/year)
• Records of Untaxed income (welfare, social security benefits, AFDC, ADC, TANF, or Veterans’ benefits)
• Current mortgage statements for properties other than the family’s principal residence
• Records of business; farm and assets (stocks, bonds, and other investments)
• Calculator (optional, but very helpful)

2. Attend FAFSA Workshop or visit WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV and submit your application. Call the Financial Aid Office for information on FAFASA Workshops

3. After submitting your fafsa online you will receive a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) by mail within 10-14 business days. If a paper fafsa is completed, you will receive your (SAR) within 6-8 weeks.

4. Bring the copy of your (SAR) to the financial aid office.

5. Fill out the forms necessary to complete your financial aid fine, which are available at the financial aid office or  on the official Morton College website www.morton.edu:

• Financial Aid Data Form
• Standard of Academic Progress (SAP)
  *You must comply with the minimum qualifications to receive financial aid every semester. You may refer to the (SAP) for details.
  *Failure to submit required documentation may cause you to lose financial aid eligibility.

6. Call the financial aid office and find out if you need to submit any additional forms such as copies of federal & state tax forms.
   *After you submit required documentation allow the financial aid office 7-10 business days to process your financial aid

7. When you register bring a copy of your registration form every semester to the financial aid office.

8. Call or visit the financial aid office to find out if you qualify for a book voucher to purchase your books.

9. If you decide to drop or add any courses before or during the semester, you must first bring a copy of your Add/Drop form to the financial aid office for approval.  Please be advised any change made to your schedule may cause your financial aid to be adjusted. 

• If there is a credit balance left on your account, it will be returned to you in the form of a refund check after the 5th and 12th week of the semester.

Morton College
Financial Aid Lobby 1St Fl A Building
Financial Aid Office Room 204B
Phone (708) 656-8000 ext 428
Fax (708) 656-4625

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact your financial aid advisor.

To receive financial aid you must:

• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate (or demonstrate the ability to benefit from a college education).
• Have a valid social security number. If you need a social security number, you can apply at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
• Be enrolled as a student working towards an eligible degree or certificate program (Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more details).
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards as explained in this chapter.
• Certify you are not in default on a federal student loan and you do not owe money on a federal student grant as a result of an over award.
• Comply with the Selective Service registration, if required. If you are a male, age 18 through 25,    and have not registered, you can give the Selective Service permission to register you by checking a box on the FAFSA form. You can also register at www.sss.gov or by calling 1-847-688-6888.
  NOTE: You may not be eligible to receive federal student aid if you’ve been convicted under federal or state law of selling or possessing illegal drugs. To find out your financial aid eligibility, call 1-800-4-FED-AID or go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, click on “worksheets” in the left column, then select “Drug Worksheet.”

Students who receive benefits in any of the following programs - Pell Grant, Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), Federal Work-Study, ACG, FSEOG, IIA, Stafford Loan, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (PLUS), Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG), and Illinois National Guard Grant (ING) must maintain satisfactory academic progress at the end of each term. Grades are posted at the end of each term on the Student Service Center Online (SSCO) website. Students must successfully complete a percentage of their hours enrolled and earn grades that place them in satisfactory academic progress, in order to continue to be eligible to receive financial aid.
Complete details are listed below.

Federal regulations require students to maintain Standard of Academic Progress in three areas cumulative GPA, hours earned, and maximum time frame in order to eligible for aid. Students who fail to meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress are placed on financial aid suspension. Students have the right to appeal this decision by submitting the Standards of Academic Progress Appeal form to the Financial Aid Office.

Students who have experienced an extenuating circumstance that has changed the income stated in their (or their parent’s) 2007 taxes may appeal.  Circumstances such as, loss of employment, separation or divorce, or death, may qualify as extenuating circumstances that may be appealed.  If you feel you qualify, you may click on the following link to download the form and return it to the Financial Aid Office along with any required documentation.

The basic premise underlying student financial aid is that it is primarily the responsibility of the student and his/her family to pay educational costs.  However, if there is an unintentional, involuntary or uncontrollable break in the relationship between parents and student, Morton College may be able to consider the student independent for financial aid purposes.  Only very extenuating circumstances will make it reasonable to approve such a petition.  Having sufficient resources to pay your own expenses is NOT considered an extenuating circumstance for determining dependency status.  To apply for dependency override you may click on the following link and return the completed form to the Financial Aid Office along with the required documentation.

2010-2011

Financial Aid Data Form
Independent Verification Form
Dependent Verification Form
Low Income Verification Form
Standard of Academic Progress Contract
Standards of Progress Appeal
Special Conditions Appeal
Dependency Override
Student-aide Application Part 1
Student-aide Application Part 2

2009-2010

Financial Aid Data Form
Independent Verification Form
Dependent Verification Form
Low Income Verification Form
Standard of Academic Progress Contract
Standards of Progress Appeal
Over 93 Credit Hours Appeal
Special Conditions Appeal
Dependency Override
Student-aide Application Part 1
Student-aide Application Part 2

Veterans
Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Application
Illinois National Guard (ING) Application (Application available at www.collegezone.com/12523.htm)
Veteran Sign-Up Sheet
Application for VA Educational Benefits, VA FORM 22-1990
Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, VA FORM 22-1995

Scholarships 2010-2011
MC Foundation Scholarships (PDF) - Deadline April 16, 2010
Leadership and Talent Scholarship (Word document) -Deadline August 27, 2010
Academic Excellence Scholarship (Word document) -Deadline June 25, 2010

Beginning in the 2010-2011 academic year Morton College will join thousands of U.S Colleges and Universities in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. With this program your proceeds are provided directly from the federal government to the college on behalf of the borrower. Please view the fallowing document for more information.

Direct lending information