GU Illinois Allegiance

GU will cover the cost of tuition for all qualified in-state students.

You may qualify for GU’s Illinois Allegiance if you:

Are a U.S. citizen,
Are an Illinois resident, along with your parents or guardians, if applicable,
Completed your initial application and received acceptance from GU,
Completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)* was 3500 or less,
Qualify for the State of Illinois MAP Grant and Federal PELL Grant.

If you are a student in financial need who is not a resident of Illinois, please contact the Office of Admissions at 618-227-6166.

Next steps

After acceptance to GU, you will receive your financial aid package from your admissions counselor. Your financial aid package provides scholarship and grant funding. This covers the full cost of tuition not covered by other federal, state, institutional, and private awards including the Federal Pell Grant* and State of Illinois MAP Grant*.

You will also be considered for additional financial aid to cover additional expenses like room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses.

Connect with a counselor

Our admissions counselors are available to answer any of your financial questions and guide you every step of the way on your journey to GU. Call or text: 618-227-6166

Renewal of GU’s Illinois Allegiance

GU’s Illinois Allegiance is renewable each year for students with Federal Pell Grant and State of Illinois MAP Grant eligibility who are making satisfactory academic progress if the following criteria is met:

Criteria for Renewal:

Submit your FAFSA by December 1st prior to each academic year
You must be an Illinois resident, and your parents or guardians, if applicable
Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward your degree
Enrolled in a bachelor's degree program for a minimum of 15 credit hours during the fall and spring semester

Note: If verification is required regarding your estimated family contribution, an EFC of under 3,501 must be maintained after completing the verification process to qualify for full-tuition coverage. Transfer students should closely check their MAP Grant qualifications. The Illinois Priority Map Grant deadline for continuing students is December 1. If your FAFSA is completed after this date, your MAP grant will be determined by the availability of Illinois state funding.

*Your EFC is an index number that college financial aid staff use to determine how much financial aid you would receive if you were to attend their school. The EFC is calculated according to a formula established by the Department of Education. The formula uses your family's taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) along with your family size and the number of family members who will attend college or career school during the year to determine your family’s Expected Family Contribution.

*PELL GRANT: The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program offered to undergraduates and is designed to assist students from low-income households. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. To qualify for a Pell Grant, a student’s EFC must be under 6207 as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA®) form.

*MAP GRANT: The Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) is a grant program administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and funded by the State of Illinois. MAP provides payment toward college tuition and mandatory fee costs at Illinois institutions that participate in the program. A student must have an EFC below 9,000 to qualify as determined by their FAFSA. They must apply before the MAP Grant deadlines as determined each year by ISAC.

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