finacial aid

Welcome

Jerry Donna

Hello and welcome to all new and returning students!

Founded in 1895, Eastern has a long-standing tradition of excellent instruction at an affordable cost. In fact, in August of 2010, U.S. News & World Report listed Eastern graduates as having the second-lowest debt load in the Midwestern region. The list showed that only a little more than half (53%) of 2009 EIU graduates owed money upon graduation; among those students, the average amount of debt was a low $11,547, or less than $3,000 a year for a student who graduates in four years.

Financial aid plays a primary role in keeping an education at Eastern affordable; this includes grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans. In the 2009-2010 academic year we processed almost $113 million in financial aid for students.

Our website provides a number of resources to help you learn more about the many options available to pay for your education at Eastern. It is the gateway to an office filled with friendly and knowledgeable staff members who are eager to assist you.

We look forward to seeing you on campus. Visit us in the Student Services Building or give us a call at 217-581-3713. If you prefer email, our address is finaid@eiu.edu.

Go Panthers!

Sincerely,

Jerry Alan Donna
Director of Financial Aid

Fall 2010 Financial Aid Refunds

Financial aid for the Fall 2010 semester will begin to be disbursed to your student account on Monday, August 23. Any remaining balance after your student account has been paid in full will be refunded to you by Students Accounts. Refunds are expected to be available via direct deposit on Friday, August 27.  Refunds by check will be mailed the afternoon of the 27th.

Eastern Illinois University offers direct deposit of student refunds, meaning you can have your financial aid refund sent directly to your bank account. Notification of the direct deposit will be sent to your EIU e-mail address.

In order to sign up for direct deposit, complete the EFT authorization form, attach a voided check and send to the Student Accounts Office. If you have any questions, contact the Student Accounts Office at 217-581-3715.

A refund must be direct deposited or it will be mailed to your local address.

 

State of Illinois MAP GRANT Deadline Announced!

If you wish to be considered for a 2010-2011 State of Illinois MAP Grant, you must complete your FAFSA no later than April 18, 2010! Eligible students who file their FAFSA's after April 18, 2010, will not be awarded a MAP Grant for the 2010-2011 academic year.