SWIC financial aid helps students further their education with grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. Contact the Financial Aid Office any time for information regarding how to qualify for grants, scholarships or student loans.
Phone: 618/235-2700 ext. 5288
Email: fin_aid@swic.edu
Official correspondence from Financial Aid, Veteran Services & Student Employment will be sent via SWIC student email. Current and prospective students are encouraged to monitor the student email daily for important updates and information.
Applying for Financial Aid
Students can apply for a variety of types of financial aid while attending SWIC. Apply for federal and state financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov. Remember to use the school code for Southwestern Illinois College – 001636 when applying. You must complete the FAFSA every academic year. Furthermore, you should consider completing the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available for maximum eligibility. Students are encouraged to apply for federal and state aid programs before considering private student loans or alternative financing programs.
Types of Financial Aid
- Grants are gift aid available to students who qualify based on income and household size.
- Scholarships are gift aid available to students who qualify based on merit.
- Loans can be borrowed to through the Federal Direct Loan program or private lenders to pay for school and must be paid back later.
How to Apply for Financial Aid at SWIC
- Apply to SWIC to be assigned a student ID number and student email address.
- Create Your FSA ID to log in to StudentAid.gov.
- Complete Your FAFSA for the academic year you plan to attend.
- Monitor your student email for requests for additional information or updates about your aid.
- Accept your award in eSTORM and authorize bookstore purchases by pressing the Big Green Button.
Struggling to fill out your FAFSA?
SWIC’s Financial Aid Office provides free FAFSA completion assistance for all Community College District 522 residents. Visit the websites below to learn more about FAFSA completion assistance and the FAFSA filing process.
Timeline for Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Disbursement and Refunds
There are dates for each semester in which students can use their financial aid to pay for tuition and books. When all outstanding SWIC balances have been paid, excess funds are disbursed to the student by direct deposit or paper check.
Financial Aid and Academic Advising
Because the SWIC Financial Aid Office will pay only for classes that are required for a student’s declared program(s) of study, we are strongly encouraging students to meet with an academic advisor to review their program(s) of study and the classes required to complete the program(s).
Financial Aid Forms
Before financial aid can be awarded, students must complete all required application documentation. To review assigned items, students should view the Tasks tile in their eSTORM Student Center to ensure that the correct forms are completed for their SWIC financial aid. All financial aid applicants should monitor their SWIC student email for updates to their financial aid status.
Net Price Calculator
Accordingly, SWIC is committed to providing an individual review of your unique financial situation. Although the calculator is not able to take all of your special circumstances into account, you will have the opportunity to share them should you choose to apply for financial aid.
How does it work? The calculator measures the financial strength of your family and uses other facts you provide to estimate the dollar amount of grants, scholarships, and other financial aid that is likely to be available to you. Finally, your “net price” is the difference between that amount and the cost of attendance.