The Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) grant is a one-time grant awarded by the state of Illinois, through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), to freshman Illinois students who have no family resources. An IIA grant does not have to be repaid.

The student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year he or she plans to attend. (See full instructions under Federal Pell Grant.) Certain identified items relating to Illinois residency must be completed on the FAFSA in order to be considered for Illinois grants.

Freshman students who are eligible to receive the MAP grant and have an EFC of 00000 are eligible to receive the IIA grant. Students who have been chosen to complete the verification process (through which information on the FAFSA is verified as accurate by the Financial Aid Office) must complete the verification process before any federal or state financial aid is processed.

Students who meet the above eligibility criteria, who are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, who are not ineligible for financial aid for other reasons, and who have not already received the full one-time IIA grant, are selected as recipients.

The State of Illinois has determined that the IIA grant is a one-time, $500 grant that will be paid in two semesters, so that $250 will be awarded for each of two fall or spring semesters.