How to Apply for Financial Aid

Remember to submit the FAFSA every year. To maximize your grant eligibility, complete your income taxes in February and submit your FASFA by March 1 every year.

Free FAFSA Workshop
February 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. in A228

Get help completing the federal financial aid form online.

Appointments are required.
Call (815) 455-8761 beginning February 1 to schedule an appointment.

This process will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

The MCC school code is: 007691

  1. Go to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) web site (www.fafsa.gov)

  2. Complete the FAFSA form using figures from your tax forms.

    If applying for 2011/12, use 2010 taxes.

    If applying for 2010/11, use 2009 taxes.

    If you have difficulty completing the tax portion of the FAFSA, contact the Financial Aid Office at MCC.

    • Call IRS (800) 829-1040 if you need copies of your federal taxes
    • Call Illinois IRS (800) 732-8866 if you need copies of your state taxes
  3. You will receive MCC's Financial Aid and Verification forms in approximately two to four weeks.
  4. Return requested forms to the Financial Aid Office and report any special circumstances your family might have. Please allow four weeks for your file to be reviewed.
    • If you receive an additional information request or a phone call, be sure to clear up any discrepancies as soon as possible.
    • If you think you need corrections to your FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office so that we may verify that a correction is needed.
  5. Enroll in an approved degree or certificate program at MCC.
  6. Notify us of your enrollment each semester.
  7. We will verify your Financial Aid file and notify you of your eligibility.
  8. Sign and return the award letter to the Financial Aid Office.