Resources and Tools

Please select from the options below for more information on the financial resources we provide.

  • Federal Student Aid (FSA) Resources

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    The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) provides publications, fact sheets, online tools, and other resources to help you prepare and pay for college. Explore information on College Preparation and the Federal Student Aid Programs.

    Below are some topics you may be interested in:

  • myGSU Portal and GovState Self-Service

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    After your acceptance to GovState, you will have access to the myGSU portal and GovState Self-Service. 

    You can check the status of your Financial Aid or Review your Financial Aid Award Letter, by logging into the myGSU portal then clicking "GovState Self-Service" to the left of the page. Log into Self-Service using your GovState credentials when/if prompted. 
     
    Once logged into Self-Service, go to the "Financial Aid" module. This is where you will find important Financial Aid information including your Financial Aid checklist, SAP Status, Offer Letter, and more. This is the area where you can view your award letter and accept/reject your financial aid awards.
     
    Additionally, from the "Financial Aid" Self-Service page, you can also navigate to various Financial Information sections in the upper-right. Some key areas include:
    • "Student Finance" - This area allows you to view your account summary and check your account balance. Here you can determine if you owe money, have a past-due balance, or whether you are up-to-date with any financial obligations. This will also reflect any anticipated refunds.
    • "Banking Information" - This module allows you to update your direct deposit information. By doing so, any financial aid refunds you may be eligible for can be sent directly to your checking or savings account, rather than waiting for a physical check.
     

     Step-by-step guides for navigating the Self-Service Financial Aid portal can be found on our Financial Aid Process webpage. 

  • Understanding Cost of Attendance

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    The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of expenses while you are enrolled at Governors State University. Estimated direct costs and estimated indirect costs are added together, resulting in a standard academic year's Cost of Attendance for a full-time student. Your actual expenses may be more or less than the average estimates used.

    • Direct Costs - Tuition; mandatory fees; federal loan fees
    • Indirect Costs - Transportation; personal expenses; living expenses (food & housing); books, course materials, supplies, and equipment

    Note: You will not receive a bill from the university for indirect costs, but these out-of-pocket costs are considered when determining your estimated Cost of Attendance.

    Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

  • Using Financial Aid in the Bookstore

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    Making purchases at the GovState bookstore is easier than it’s ever been with FA link! Learn more about the FA Link process and review the time periods that FA Link is available on the Buy Books with Aid webpage.

  • Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)

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    Childcare financial assistance for parenting students!
    The goal of CCAMPIS is to assist low-income parenting students with childcare expenses to ensure parenting student enrollment, persistence, and graduation. CCAMPIS is a 4-year federal grant awarded to GovState by the U.S. Department of Education. Continued availability of funds is dependent upon the U.S. Department of Education.

    Review full information and eligibility requirements for CCAMPIS. To apply, submit the online application and required supporting documentation at www.govst.edu/ccampis. If you need assistance, contact deanofstudents@govst.edu or 708.235.7595.

  • Study Abroad Information

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    For Study Abroad, the costs per programs vary greatly depending on destination and the length of stay. However, the Office of International Services (OIS) will work with you and with the academic department to make the trip as affordable as possible. Please speak with OIS to determine the costs for your program.

    If you're a student interested in studying abroad, you may wish to consider the possibility of financial aid (like grants and scholarships, which don't need to be repaid) and loans (which do need to be repaid) to fund your education abroad. Please consult your Financial Aid Advisor as soon as you decide to study abroad to understand what options are available for you as everything individual’s situation is unique.

    Additionally, Study Abroad scholarships may also be available for certain programs. Contact seetheworld@govst.edu if you have further questions.

    If you qualify to use financial aid towards your program costs, the disbursement of aid may not occur until after program costs are due. Therefore, please keep in mind that you may need to arrange to pay these bills in advance.

  • Undocumented Students

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    Governors State University admits students regardless of undocumented status. Undocumented students follow the same admission procedures as all potential Governors State applicants. 

    Undocumented students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. However, undocumented students may qualify for other types of financial assistance such as private scholarships from communities and national organizations that do not require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be on file.

    Financial resources for undocumented students may include:

    • Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid - If you are an Illinois resident but are ineligible for federal aid as an undocumented student, you can still apply for state assistance. The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act became law in January 2020. Find out whether you should complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid instead of the FAFSA.
    • Private Scholarships - Private scholarships for undocumented students are highly competitive and limited.  We encourage students to contact individual scholarship committees/organization to ask if they are willing to accept an undocumented student's application if all other requirements are met. 
    • Illinois Dream Fund  - Illinois passed the Illinois Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act) which establishes a scholarship fund for qualified undocumented students funded entirely by private donations. In order to qualify for the Illinois DREAM fund scholarship, an applicant must:
      • Be incoming freshmen or current undergraduate or transfer student
      • Possess at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4-point scale 
      • Have resided with parent(s) or guardian(s) while attending high school in Illinois 
      • Have graduated from a high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma (GED) in Illinois; after attending an Illinois high school for at least three years.

     

     Explore additional information and resources for undocumented students.

  • Financial Literacy

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    A college education is one of the most important investments of your lifetime.

    At GovState, we want to make sure that you’re on the right financial path. That starts with educating yourself on how to manage your money effectively and make smart financial decisions. The financial choices that you make now, while in college, can have an impact on your life for years to come and set you up for retirement.

    Financial literacy is geared towards providing individuals with sound financial knowledge and skills so that they can make informed financial decisions and take effective actions regarding their money management. Additionally, the goal is to positively influence people's core attitudes and beliefs, so that a change in financial behavior can help them reach a future of financial freedom and security.

    Visit our Financial Literacy webpage to access the iGrad financial literacy platform and explore other financial literacy resources.

  • Prepaid Tuition and 529 Plans

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    The State of Illinois offers the College Illinois Prepaid Tuition Plan and the Bright Start College Savings Plan. The value of any education savings plans should be included as other investments on the FAFSA form.

    If you are using Prepaid Tuition/529 benefits at Governors State, contact the Financial Services Office at 708.235.3990 to arrange those payments.

  • Net Price Calculator

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    The Net Price Calculator is designed to estimate costs and eligibility for financial aid based on the information you enter about yourself and your family.

    This tool is intended to provide general guidance in planning your educational financing and is not an application for financial aid. The results are an estimate based on the projected award amounts. Results do not represent any guarantee of your annual costs or any guarantee of your actual financial aid award. Your actual financial aid eligibility will be determined by the university.

    Start Net Price Calculator

     Please Note:

    • The results are dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the information you enter.
    • Not all students receive financial aid. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine their eligibility for Federal financial aid that includes Federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
    • The Net Price Calculator estimates college costs for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduate students only. Current students and prospective transfer students should visit GovState's Financial Aid webpage for information on available forms of financial aid, as well as the Tuition Calculator to estimate tuition/fee costs.
    • These estimates do not represent a final determination, or actual award, of financial assistance or a final net price; they are only estimates based on cost of attendance and financial aid provided to students in past award years. Cost of attendance and financial aid availability change year to year. These estimates shall not be binding on the Secretary of Education, the institution of higher education, or the State.
    • The Net Price Calculator estimates are currently based on cost of attendance and financial aid provided to students in 2020-2021.

  • Illinois Board of Higher Education online complaint system

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    Participants in Title IV Federal Financial Aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, are required to direct students to a state agency for assistance with unresolved complaints. Related regulations require all Title IV participating institutions, regardless of the origin of their state authorization to operate, to comply with state agency complaint process and to communicate such information publicly. Under Federal rule 34 CFR 600.9 and 668.43(b), Title IV eligible institutions must make available to students or prospective students, upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution's accreditation and state authorization. The institution must provide its students or prospective student with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and the state. 

    The IBHE online complaint site includes step-by-step instructions and key information about the complaint process.