Financial Aid and Veteran Services assistance is available via email at fin_aid@swic.edu

• Forms can be mailed to Financial Aid, Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, IL 62221.
• Financial aid awarding, document processing, and disbursements will continue. 
• Students also are encouraged to monitor their student email and eSTORM account for updates.

A little inspiration goes a long way…

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” —Mae Jemison, engineer and former NASA astronaut

Announcements

Upcoming Events and Workshops

The Personal Advocate Linking Services (PALS) and Financial Aid Awareness programs link students to resources on- and off-campus in a variety of areas with special emphasis on applying for financial aid, responsible borrowing, avoiding bad debt, and paying back student loans. Other initiatives include an emphasis on general student responsibilities, financial aid, eSTORM, and email.

News Flash

Major FAFSA changes are coming for 2024-2025! As a result, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) WILL NOT be opening on October 1, 2023.

Here’s what you need to know:

A new, simplified version of the FAFSA will be available in December 2023 for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Changes included in the FAFSA Simplification Act:

• Students and families will measure their ability to pay for college using the Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

• Federal Pell Grant eligibility will expand to more students.

• Financial aid eligibility will be calculated using federal tax information received directly from the IRS.

Learn more about the updates on StudentAid.gov or ISAC.org.  

Current FAFSA

The Department of Education recommends students complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid as early in the year as possible after Oct. 1 each year. Early processing may qualify students for state funding in addition to the award of any federal funds. Income estimates from 2021 will be used to process the FAFSA to meet state deadline requirements.

New FAFSA

For the upcoming 2024-25 financial aid application, the Department of Education recommends students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as early in the year as possible after Oct 1. each year. Early processing may qualify students for state funding in addition to the award of any federal funds. Income estimates from 2022 will be used to process the FAFSA to meet state deadline requirements.

PALS Services

PALS supports and encourages all students’ endeavors toward academic and career success. Our Personal Advocates offer services at all campuses, Belleville, Granite City, Red Bud, and the East St. Louis Community College Center (ESLCCC). We support all students through successful transition into college. We also encourage on-going support to current students for completion of personal and academic goals. We do this by:

• Providing FAFSA assistance
• Identifying needs to remove any barriers that might prevent successful enrollment through awareness of services and encouraging utilization of these services.
• Provide linkages to resources and opportunities on campus and in the community.
  
• Provide peer mentoring and support to all students.
• Provide FAFSA (Day) workshops throughout the semester on campus, and nightly at various times throughout the term at district high schools.

Hours and Contact Information

Upcoming Workshops

TBD

PALS General Contact Information

To schedule PALS services contact:

618-235-2700, ext. 5558 or 5277
866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5558 or 5277 (In Illinois)

Email: fin_aid@swic.edu

Toll-free phone number: 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5558

FAFSA Help

Find out what documents you need for Federal Student Aid.