Logo

Awarding Aid

The primary responsibility of paying for educational expenses is with the student and the student's family. If the financial assistance awarded does not cover all the educational expenses, the student is responsible for paying the remainder within Harper College's established payment deadlines.

Harper College determines the student's eligibility for financial aid awards based on federal and state regulations, our Cost of Attendance and the family's Expected Family Contribution. All financial aid documents must be on file and processed within the deadlines per federal regulations for the student to be awarded funds.

To be eligible and continue to be eligible for most federal and state financial aid awards you must meet these General Eligibility Requirements.

To be considered for financial aid awards is subsequent years, you must meet the General Eligibility Requirements and complete the following.

Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Complete the FAFSA and complete the financial aid document requirements.

State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant
Complete the FAFSA, complete the financial aid document requirements and submit proof of Illinois residency.

Note: Qualifying undocumented students and transgender students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, complete the financial aid document requirements and submit proof of Illinois residency.

Scholarships
Scholarship renewal requirements can vary greatly.  Visit the Scholarships page for more information.

Federal Work Study / Student Aide
Complete the FAFSA, complete the financial aid document requirements, apply for a job and be enrolled at least half time (6 hours).

Loans
Complete the FAFSA, complete the financial aid document requirements and complete a Loan Request Form which has step-by-step information.

If you have questions about renewing financial aid, schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Specialist

Cost Of Attendance graphic

Cost of Attendance  (COA) is the estimated total cost of attending an institution for one academic year. The COA includes direct costs and indirect costs and is the budget used to calculate your aid.

Direct costs are charges included in the Cost of Attendance that the student/family pays directly to the college. At Harper, direct costs are tuition and fees only.

Indirect costs are estimated expenses in the Cost of Attendance that are not paid directly to the institution. At Harper, indirect costs are books, course materials, supplies and equipment; transportation; living expenses (housing and food); and miscellaneous personal expenses. Federal student loan fees and professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential are included as applicable.

 

  • The Full-Time Enrolled COA tables below are based on in-district enrollment of thirty (30) credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • The Less Than Half-Time Enrolled COA table below is based on in-district enrollment of ten (10) credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • A separate COA is used for the Summer term and is not included in these tables.

Estimated Cost of Attendance
Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Semester

Full-Time Enrolled Student Living with Parents

Direct Costs:  Budget
Tuition and Fees  $  4,749
Indirect Costs:  
Books,Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment      1,100
Transportation      2,766
Living Expenses (Housing and Food)      7,002
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses      9,050
Total COA/Year $ 24,667
Total COA/Semester $ 12,334

Full-Time Enrolled Student Living Off Campus

Direct Costs:   Budget
Tuition and Fees  $  4,749
Indirect Costs:  
Books,Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment      1,100
Transportation      2,766
Living Expenses (Housing and Food)    13,324
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses      9,050
Total COA/Year $ 30,989
Total COA/Semester $ 15,495


Less Than Half-Time Enrolled Student Living with Parents or Off Campus

Direct Costs:  Budget
Tuition and Fees  $  4,749
Indirect Costs:  
Books,Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment      1,100
Transportation      2,766
Total COA/Year $   8,615
Total COA/Semester $   4,308

Tuition estimate is based on in-district rates. See Tuition and Fees for all rate information.

  • Cost of Attendance Additional Allowances
    If you have any of the following expenses, you can provide proof of purchase or expenditure using the Request Form link below. The Financial Aid Office will include that cost in your overall cost of attendance and then determine if it will impact your financial aid eligibility. If there is an adjustment to your award, you will receive an updated Financial Aid Notification.
    • Computer Cost:  an allowance for the purchase of a computer for educationally related usage.
    • Dependent Care Expenses:  an allowance based on the estimated actual expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of such dependents. Such allowance must not exceed the reasonable cost in the community in which such student resides for the kind of care provided, and the period for which the dependent care is required includes, but is not limited to, class-time, study-time, field work, internships, and commuting time.
    • Disability-related Expenses: an allowance for expenses associated with a student's disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided by other agencies.
    • Cooperative Education Costs:  an allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, associated with such employment for a student engaged in a work experience under a cooperative education program.

Complete the 2023-2024 Cost of Attendance Additional Allowances Request Form.

    • Study abroad expenses are identified as part of the study abroad process. Study abroad expenses are an allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution. Visit Study Abroad for more information.

Cost Of Attendance graphic

Cost of Attendance  (COA) is the estimated total cost of attending an institution for one academic year. The COA includes direct costs and indirect costs and is the budget used to calculate your aid.

Direct costs are charges included in the Cost of Attendance that the student/family pays directly to the college. At Harper, direct costs are tuition and fees only.

Indirect costs are estimated expenses in the Cost of Attendance that are not paid directly to the institution. At Harper, indirect costs are books and supplies, transportation, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses.

The COA table below is based on in-district enrollment of thirty (30) credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters. A separate COA is used for the Summer term and is not included in this table.

Estimated Cost of Attendance
Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Semester

Full-Time Enrolled Student Living with Parents

Direct Costs:   Budget
Tuition and Fees  $  4,689
Indirect Costs:  
Books and Supplies      1,328
Transportation      2,556
Room and Board      2,822
Misc      2,176
Total COA/Year $ 13,571
Total COA/Semester $   6,786

Full-Time Enrolled Student Living Off Campus

Direct Costs:    Budget
Tuition and Fees   $  4,689
Indirect Costs:  
Books and Supplies       1,328
Transportation       2,556
Room and Board     15,360
Misc       2,176
Total COA/Year $  26,109
Total COA/Semester $  13,055

Tuition estimate is based on in-district rates. See Tuition and Fees for all rate information.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an eligibility index 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 specified in law and is based upon the information provided by the student and their family on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Financial need is the end result of a simple calculation that subtracts the Expected Family Contribution from Harper College's Cost of Attendance. The total amount of financial aid you receive cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance.

   Cost of Attendance

-  Expected Family Contribution
--------------------------------------------------------
=  Financial Need

The majority of the funds administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance are based on demonstrated financial need. 

After the student's eligibility is considered, financial assistance is awarded using federal, state, institutional and private sources. For more information go to Understanding Your Financial Aid Awards.

 

Explore Financial Aid and Scholarships

 

Last Updated: 4/24/23