Many financial aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. You can maximize your opportunity to be considered for funds by paying close attention to important financial aid dates and the Academic Calendar.
Key Dates for the 2025-26 & 2026-27 Academic Year
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Incoming Freshmen |
Incoming Transfers |
Continuing Undergraduate Students |
Incoming Graduate Students |
Incoming Law Students |
Continuing Graduate and Law |
| FAFSA & Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid available online |
December 1, 2024 for the 2025-26 academic year
October 1, 2025 for the 2026-27 academic year
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| Priority FAFSA filing date — for full consideration for all types of institutional, federal and state aid |
January 2025 for the 2025-26 academic year
January 2026 for the 2026-27 academic year
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| Financial Aid Offer Packaging begins |
2025-26 academic year: Financial Aid packaging occurs weekly thru the end of the academic year
2026-27 academic year: We will begin reviewing new FAFSA applications in early November. Packaging dates will be determined soon. Check your “Tasks” tile in Campus Connect for important messages from Financial Aid.
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Complete your Federal Loan Requirements
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2025-26 academic year: Check your "Tasks" tile in Campus Connect.
2026-27 academic year: July 2026
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Summer Financial Aid Application available
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2025-26 academic year: April 1, 2026
2026-27 academic year: April 1, 2027
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Financial Aid Disbursement Dates
Funds will be disbursed to your student account after the close of business on these dates. You will see the credit(s) reflected on your account the next business day.
Undergraduate and Graduate Students
| Quarter |
Disbursement Date |
Winter 2026 Quarter
|
December 29, 2025
|
Spring 2026 Quarter
|
March 25, 2026
|
Law Students
| Semester |
Disbursement Date |
Spring 2026
|
January 12, 2026
|
Class Start and Registration Dates
Please visit the
University Registrar website to view registration information.
Tuition and Payment Plan Dates
Please visit the
Student Accounts website to view important dates and deadlines for tuition and payment plans.