Student Financial Assistance COVID-19 Resource Center and Consumer Information

In response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Northeastern Illinois University Financial Aid Office has put together this page of resources for prospective and current students of the NEIU community. Below you will find links to resources from Federal Student Aid and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Students and families of the NEIU community can also view updates at the University’s COVID-19 Response site, which includes a list of FAQ and answers.

Federal student aid

The U.S. Department of Education is actively monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. If you’re concerned about your studies or loan repayment, we can help you understand what to do in certain circumstances. Information will be added for students, borrowers and parents to the student aid website on a regular basis.

  • The recently enacted federal CARES Act provides money to colleges and universities for emergency student financial aid grants. NEIU is working to release these funds directly to degree-seeking students based on enrollment as of the census date. The purpose of the money is to award emergency financial aid grants for expenses resulting from the disruption of on-campus operations caused by coronavirus. A Frequently Asked Questions page is available to address further details.
  • The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) CARES funding: The table below provides the most current reporting information from the date the University received its allocation for emergency financial aid grants to students, institutional share, and relief assistance for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

CARES Act Reporting Requirements

07/10/2024

 00169300_HEERF_Q22024_07102024 (FINAL)

4/10/2024

 00169300_HEERF_Q12024_04102024 (Revised)

1/10/2024

 00169300_HEERF_Q42023_12312024 (Revised)
10/10/2023 00169300_HEERF_Q32023_10102023 (Revised)
7/10/2023 00169300_HEERF_Q22023_07102023 (Revised)
4/10/2023 00169300_HEERF_Q12023_04012023 (Revised)
1/10/2023 00169300_HEERF_Q42022_01102023
10/10/2022 00169300_HEERF_Q32022_10102022

07/10/2022

 00169300_HEERF_Q22022_06302022
04/10/2022 00169300_HEERF Institutional Report_Q032022_04102022
03/31/2022 HEERF III Student Cost Report_03/31/2022
10/10/2021 00169300_HEERF MSI Cost Report_FINAL_Q1_10102021
1/10/2022 HEERF III Student Cost Report_01/10/2022
1/10/2022 00169300_HEERF III Institutional Report_Q22021_01102022
10/10/2021 00169300_HEERF III Institutional Report_Q12021_10102021
10/10/2021 HEERF III Student Cost Report_10102021
7/10/2021 HEERF III ARP Student Parameters
7/10/2021

HEERF - Student and Institutional Cost Report
7/10/2021

HEERF - Minority Serving Institution Report
4/10/2021 HEERF II CRRSA Student Parameters
4/10/2021

HEERF - Student and Institutional Cost Report
4/10/2021

HEERF - Minority Serving Institution Report
1/7/2021

HEERF - Student and Institutional Cost Report
1/7/2021 HEERF - Minority Serving Institution Report
9/30/2020

HEERF - Student and Institutional Cost Report
8/17/2020

HEERF - Minority Serving Institution Report 
8/13/2020

CARES Act Student Report
6/29/2020

CARES Act Student Report
5/15/2020

CARES Act Student Report
7/3/2020

HEERF Minority Serving Institution Report
6/5/2020

HEERF Institutional Cost Report

 

  • Federal Direct Loan borrowers enrolled less than half-time (6 credit hours) and in repayment may qualify for a deferment with zero interest accrual. Contact information for your loan servicer can be found at studentloans.gov. The FSA ID is required for login.
  • Federal Loan borrowers in default may qualify for a reprieve. Contact your loan servicer for additional information.
  • Private Student Loan borrowers may qualify for a reprieve. Contact your private loan provider directly for additional information.
  • If there is a dislocated worker status resulting from the outbreak extending beyond 10 weeks for you, your spouse or your parents, a Special Condition Request can be submitted with the appropriate documentation for the circumstances.

Illinois student assistance commission (ISAC)

To slow the transmission of the virus and protect our community, all ISAC offices are currently closed to the general public. ISAC understands these are unprecedented times, and to continue with the administration of MAP grants to best serve Illinois students, a limited release is scheduled of 2020-2021 MAP award announcements in suspense status.

MAINTAINING STUDENT AID ELIGIBILITY

  • Despite the change in instruction delivery method, your financial aid will not be affected if you remain enrolled. This includes your federal, state, and institutional grants, scholarships and loans. Students considering dropping classes or complete withdrawals for the remainder of the semester should keep in mind that this decision could impact future financial aid eligibility.
  • Free eTextbook Option: As a service to students, Follett Bookstore partnered with RedShelf and participating publishers to provide free e-books where available.
  • We strongly recommend speaking with your advisor before you withdraw from a course.

GENERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL WELLNESS

  • Northeastern students are resilient, resourceful and innovative. However, given the unprecedented circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, a Student Emergency Fund has been established.
  • To accommodate the need for safety and reduced time within the pantry, submit request for food items to be pre-packaged by completing the request form and note what day and time you wish to pick up the food.
  • Find a food pantry near you: For students who do not live on or near campus and are in need of food assistance, the Greater Chicago Food Depository provides an up-to-date listing of pantries across Chicago.
  • We know that our students and alumni have busy schedules and may not always be able to attend a workshop at the time it is offered. In order to support students and their career goals and reach more students remotely, Career Development has added a selection of on-demand workshops that they can watch at times convenient to their schedules.
  • Pell Grant recipients eligible for federal internet subsidy! The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms. Visit FCC Broadband Benefit for more information and to apply.
  • Be GradReady and earn a $500 scholarship at the end of the semester! Students earn badges by completing Financial Literacy modules within GradReady. The student who earns the most badges at the end of the semester will receive a $500 scholarship posted against their University student account.

Per Federal Guidelines, the following consumer information is listed below for all NEIU current and prospective students: