Office Hours:
Monday though Thursday 8:30 am-7:00 p.m
Friday 8:30 a.m-5:00p.m
Financial Aid is located in Building W
Kennedy King College provides a comprehensive program of student financial assistance consisting of scholarships, grants and employment. These programs may be offered singly or in various combinations to assist qualified full-time or half-time students in meeting their financial needs. Information about these programs and services may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.
Eligibility Requirements
General Eligibility
In order to be considered eligible for federal and state financial aid, you must meet the following
How to apply for federal and state need base assistance, you must complete the federally approved financial aid application, called Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply by paper application or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
The information you report on the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and to calculate your family’s financial need.
Apply early. Institution dollars are sometimes awarded on first come, first-serve basis. Be sure to complete the entire application and provide required signatures.
Application Process
- Step 1 Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov
When completing the application, remember that Kennedy King College school code is 001654.
- Step 2 After the Department of Education processes your application, you will receive notification in the mail or electronically.
- Step 3 The Financial Aid office at Kennedy King should receive your electronic report between 3-6 weeks.
The electronic report that the financial aid office receives will be use to determine any documents we may need to process you financial aid.
Student will be notified in writing of any required documents.
- Step 4 Once all required documents are submitted to our office, you will be notified of your financial eligibilities.
Kennedy King College’s financial aid programs includes
Financial Need:
Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending Kennedy King College/ Dawson Technical Institute and the amount the student or the student's family can reasonably be expected to contribute. This contribution is computed using documented income and other related information such as size of family, for example. After an application for financial aid is processed, the Financial Aid Office will put together an individualized "package" a combination of grant and/or part time employment based on the applicant's computed need and the funding available through each program.
Satisfactory Progress:
Students receiving financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (such as Federal Pell grants, Federal SEOG, Federal College Work Study, and /SAC awards) must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress towards completion of their documented educational intentions and goals. Earned credit and time limit requirements vary according to student status (full time or part time), student level (freshman or sophomore) and the credit hour total of the student's chosen program.
For specific information, see the Kennedy King College Academic Policy brochure, available in the Admissions Office.
Application Procedures:
All financial aid applicants need to begin applying early. Some aid programs have early deadline dates; others may allocate their funding as applications are received, and full awards will not be available to latecomers. In addition, students without a Kennedy King College tuition deferment form (not issued until all materials are in order) on the date they are scheduled to register will have to pay cash for their courses.
Prospective students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) obtainable from the Kennedy King College/Dawson Technical Institute Financial Aid Offices and mail it to the Federal Student Aid Programs, (Check application for current mailing address. Students may also complete the FAFSA on the Web at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Those who intend to apply for additional aid in the form of an Illinois State Scholarship Commission grant must be sure to note this in the free Application for Federal Student Aid.
When the Student Aid Report (SAR) is received in the mail, usually four to six weeks after submitting the free Application for Federal Student Aid the prospective student should come to the Kennedy King College/Dawson Technical Institute Financial Aid Office with the following materials:
* signed Federal Tax Return for last year (the student's own form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ and, if married, the spouse's, or, if dependent on parents, the parents');
* or a Public Aid Green Card;
* or Unemployment, Social Security,
* or Veterans' Benefits statements for last year and the current year
Begin gathering all necessary documents now!
Copies of misplaced documents can be obtained from the appropriate state or federal agency's office, but the process may take several weeks.
Those who wish to apply for the Federal College Work Study or Federal Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs will be asked at this time to complete a Financial Aid Application of the City Colleges of Chicago.
The federal government has delegated to each college's Financial Aid Office the responsibility for verifying student entitlement to funds. Kennedy King College and Dawson Technical Institute retain the right to require additional information from an applicant before approving any disbursement of money.
Federal Programs
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant (formerly called Basic Educational Opportunity Grant or "BEOG") is federal money intended to provide the base for a student's financial aid package. Eligible students may currently qualify for a maximum of $3,125 a year to help cover the cost of Kennedy King College/Dawson Technical Institute tuition, fees, books, living expenses, and transportation. The amount of the grant will depend on hours enrolled and the extent of financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG).
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program or "FSEOG" is federal money which supplements the Pell Grant for students with additional financial need. The amount of the award is determined by the Financial Aid Office based on the availability of funds.
Federal Work Study Program (FWS)
The Federal Work Study program, "FWS" consists of part time jobs either on or off campus, up to a maximum of 20 hours a week during the regular academic year and 40 hours a week during semester breaks and summer.
State Programs
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Monetary Award Program (MAP)
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Monetary Award Program (MAP) is for Illinois residents only. It covers tuition and mandatory fees for the academic year.
Illinois Incentive for Access Program (IIA)
This program is for freshman students who, based on the federal need calculation, are judged to have no family resources. Students must be enrolled at least half time.
Scholarships
The Florence Ballenger Scholarship:
The Florence Ballenger Scholarship provides financial support to students who have demonstrated academic excellence and commitment to civic services.
This scholarship is awarded to incoming, returning, and transfer students. Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree program are not eligible for this award.
Incoming and transfer students must satisfy all admissions requirements (submit an Admission Data Form, have official transcripts on file, take the placement test, if applicable) before the scholarship will be awarded.
Download application (PDF file)
The Nursing Educational Scholarship Program:
The Nursing Educational Scholarship Program provides assistance to qualified individuals pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associate degree in nursing, a hospital based nursing diploma or a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Applications are available in the Nursing Department, Room 3E45. Applications must be completed by May 31 st.
Harold Washington Academic Achievement Scholarship:
This scholarship is for prospective or current students who demonstrate promise as evidenced by high school academic performance or exceptional GED scores.
Recommendations from an employer, pastor, teacher, counselor, or other community leaders with knowledge of the student's academic potential may be used in lieu of grades.
These scholarships are renewable based on class performance and local option, and cover the full cost of tuition. Applications must be on file by July 1.
Other Scholarships and Awards:
The Financial Aid Office keeps a current file of special interest scholarships offered by groups within the college and by other groups such as public service agencies, educational institutions, and charitable foundations. In addition, a number of reference books and periodicals are on reserve in the college library for students who may wish to obtain information on academic and special interest scholarships. Students interested in more information on any scholarships should contact the Financial Aid office.
Title IV Student Assistance Refund Statement
Eligible financial aid recipients who officially withdraw from all classes on or before 60 percent of the term has elapsed will have a calculation performed to determine if the correct amount of financial aid has been received. The outcome of the calculation will be one of the following cases:
1. If the calculation has determined that financial aid funds are still due, you will receive a refund check.
2. If the calculation has determined that you have received too much financial aid, you will receive a bill indicating how much of your grant to return to the school.
If you have questions about the calculation, or the consequences of withdrawing from courses on your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Financial Aid Registration Information
Students with approved Financial Aid Files will be allowed to register with a tuition deferment, and if needed, a book voucher to purchase their books.
For some federal grants, prospective students who have not earned a high school diploma from an accredited high school or a GED must score high enough on approved tests in reading, writing, and math to prove that they have the ability to benefit from college. The Financial Aid Office can counsel students on whether such tests are required in these cases, and the Ruth Barker Center can administer the appropriate tests.
