Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for the Top 20% Tuition Scholarship Program, students must:

1. Be a resident of Community College District 522 at the time of high school completion AND during attendance at SWIC.

2. Be eligible to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Illinois Alternative Application for Student Aid.
3. Achieve Top 20% of one of the following categories:

PLEASE NOTE: High school completion refers to high school graduates, high school equivalency earners, and homeschool graduates. Homeschool graduates must be 16 years of age or older.

How to Apply

1. Complete the FAFSA or Illinois Alternative Application for Financial Aid and all assigned follow up items.
2. Log into your eSTORM Student Center and select the Forms and Resources tile.
3. Navigate to the Top 20% Application Form in Financial Aid Forms to complete the application.
4. Verify eligibility by providing required documentation of Top 20 Percent qualification:
   Class Rank: Provide official final high school transcript showing rank and total number of
   graduates in the class.
   Test Scores: Provide official ACT or SAT score report or official high school transcript showing placement into the 80th or higher percentile on the ACT or SAT examination.
   SWIC GPA: SWIC transcript must show a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher earned for 8 or more hours of dual credit or dual enrollment coursework completed prior to high school graduation. (Final grades must be posted.)
   High School Equivalency: Provide a non-returnable copy of the high school equivalent certificate and official letter from the Adult Basic Education Office identifying rank.
   

Application Deadline

Fall 2025	August 29, 2025
Spring 2026	January 23, 2026
Summer 2026	June 12, 2026

Terms & Conditions

All applicants must meet all of the following non-negotiable conditions. Failure to do so will result in loss of the scholarship for which there is no appeal process to regain.

1. Residency Requirement: Must live in Community College District 522 when finishing high school and while attending SWIC.
2. FAFSA Renewal: Renew FAFSA every year before fall term starts. Complete all financial aid paperwork by the second week of the semester.
3. Application Deadline: Submit the Top 20% Application by the second week of the first semester of attendance at SWIC after high school and every additional year before the second week of fall semester.
4. Enrollment Timing: Use the scholarship within the academic year after high school: Fall, Spring, or Summer. Summer use requires continuous enrollment in the following fall semester. Summer awards are subject to removal if not enrolled in subsequent fall.
5. Verification: Provide all required documentation to verify eligibility by the assigned deadline.
6. No Prior College: Cannot attend another college, university, or trade school before SWIC.
7. Continuous Enrollment: Scholarship lasts up to six semesters of continuous enrollment. Enrollment must be in consecutive fall and spring semesters. A gap between fall and spring terms results in loss of scholarship. Summer attendance is not required, but the scholarship will be awarded unless otherwise requested in writing.
8. Academic Performance: Maintain a 3.0 term GPA each semester and a 67% cumulative completion rate.
9. Tuition Coverage: Scholarship covers tuition for classes on the academic transcript. Does not cover fees, books, or dropped classes.
10. Degree/Certificate Seeking: Must be pursuing a degree or certificate at SWIC.

Top 20% Scholarship FAQs

Who is a Qualifying District 522 Resident? Students age 16 or older living in Madison, Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph, or Washington counties and meeting in-district residency requirements of the college. Contact SWIC Enrollment Services for residency questions.

Can I use the Top 20% to attend SWIC in the summer? Scholarships can be used in summer if the application is complete by the second week of the term, the student is degree/certificate seeking, and continues enrollment into the next academic year. Summer awards are subject to removal without subsequent fall enrollment.

If I graduated from high school early, can I attend SWIC in the spring? Yes, you can use the scholarship for the first SWIC semester after high school completion as long as you meet the scholarship criteria for the aid year you first enroll. Early graduates can use their 7th semester high school transcript to apply.

Can I still use the scholarship if I go to another college in the fall and transfer to SWIC in the spring? No, SWIC must be the first post-secondary institution you attend after high school graduation to receive the scholarship.

If I don’t attend college in the fall after high school graduation, can I still use the scholarship in the spring? Yes, you can start using the scholarship in spring or summer semester of the academic year following high school graduation as long as SWIC is your first college of attendance.

Is there a deadline to apply for the Top 20% Scholarship? Yes. Submit the initial application and materials by the end of the second week of the semester you want to start using the scholarship. To renew the scholarship for additional years, applications are due by the end of the second week of fall term.

I can’t complete the FAFSA. Can I still apply for the Top 20% Scholarship? You must complete the FAFSA or Illinois Alternative Application for Student Aid to be eligible.

Where can I get help completing my FAFSA or Illinois Alternative Application for Student Aid? Get help from the SWIC Financial Aid Office during regular business hours.

Who can I ask about the scholarship or my eligibility? Contact Financial Aid, Veteran Services, & Student
Employment Office at fin_aid@swic.edu or (618) 235-2700, ext. 5288.