Academics

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences recognizes that unexpected events can affect students’ ability to pay their bills which can, in turn, affect their academic success. In the event of unplanned financial hardship or emergency, LAS offers funding and support to help students address their financial challenge quickly, with the goal of minimizing its impact on their studies. 

To qualify, you must:

  • Make an appointment to discuss your circumstances (make an appointment here, selecting the "LAS Emergency Funds" calendar)
  • Be a full-time student currently enrolled in LAS
  • Have supporting documentation
  • Have exhausted all other financial aid options, including loans  

Examples of hardship include, but are not limited to:

  • Medical bills as a result of illness or injury
  • Change in employment status or loss of income*
  • Natural disaster
  • Death of a parent or benefactor
  • Loss of housing
  • Other traumatic events that can impact a student’s ability to pay for costs of being enrolled

*For these circumstances, please make an appointment to see the Office of Student Financial Aid. Loss of income or change in employment status could affect your financial aid package. For more details, please see information below:

 

Functions of Financial Aid

  1. At the University of Illinois, each student is assigned a cost of attendance based on their program of study. Per University policy, students are not allowed to receive aid that is valued more than their cost of attendance.
  2. A student’s cost of attendance includes five components: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and miscellaneous items. Therefore, it is important to consult financial aid any time a student has financial need. If an Emergency Fund is awarded to a student who is already receives aid totaling their cost of attendance, they might have to pay money back to the University.
  3. The most common types of financial aid include a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans. This depends on the student’s financial need, and we recommend that students contact the Office of Student Financial Aid when they are experiencing any financial difficulty or financial aid related questions.
  4. The Office of Student Financial aid offers walk in services to students and provides counseling, or the ability to discuss specific questions about a student’s account.
  5. The LAS Student Academic Affairs Office does not have access to students’ financial aid accounts, and therefore cannot give financial aid counseling.
  6. The Office of Student Financial Aid also offers Emergency Loans to students who are experiencing temporary financial difficulties.
  7. Office of Student Financial Aid information:
    Email: finaid@illinois.edu
    Phone: 217-333-0100