Harper College
Registration, Payment, Financial Aid

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 student's Student Aid Index. All requested 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 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 Fall and Spring COA amounts listed below are based on full-time enrollment of thirty (30) credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • The One Term COA amounts listed below are based on full-time enrollment in one term: Fall, Spring or Summer term.
  • The Academic Year COA amounts listed below are based on full-time enrollment in all three terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

Estimated Cost of Attendance
 2024-2025

In District - Enrolled Full-Time

  Living with Parent Living Off Campus
Direct Costs:    
Tuition and Fees $4,839 $4,839
     
Indirect Costs:    
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $1,100 $1,100
Transportation $2,903 $2,903
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $7,479 $14,251
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $9,236 $9,236
     
Total COA - Fall and Spring $25,557 $32,329
Total COA - One Term (Fall, Spring or Summer) $12,779 $16,165
Total COA - Academic Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $38,336 $48,494

 

Out of District - Enrolled Full-Time

  Living with Parent Living Off Campus
Direct Costs:    
Tuition and Fees $12,549 $12,549
     
Indirect Costs:    
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $1,100 $1,100
Transportation $2,903 $2,903
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $7,479 $14,251
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $9,236 $9,236
     
Total COA - Fall and Spring $33,267 $40,039
Total COA - One Term (Fall, Spring or Summer) $16,634 $20,020
Total COA - Academic Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $49,901 $60,059

 

Out of State - Enrolled Full-Time

  Living with Parent Living Off Campus
Direct Costs:    
Tuition and Fees $14,814 $14,814
     
Indirect Costs:    
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $1,100 $1,100
Transportation $2,903 $2,903
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $7,479 $14,251
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $9,236 $9,236
     
Total COA - Fall and Spring $35,532 $42,304
Total COA - One Term (Fall, Spring or Summer) $17,766 $21,152
Total COA - Academic Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $53,298 $63,456

 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. The dependent must be included in the student’s household size, care is required for the student to attend school and the student incurred or will incur dependent care expenses. The period for which 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 2024-25 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 Living Expenses Adjustment If you are a dependent student, the Living Expenses (Housing & Food) component of your Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on Living with Parent. If you are an independent student, the Living Expenses (Housing & Food) component of your COA is based on Living Off Campus. If this is not accurate, you may complete this Request Form for an adjustment. The Financial Aid Office will update your budget and then determine if it will impact your financial aid. If there is an adjustment to your aid, you will receive an updated Financial Aid Notification.

Complete the 2024-25 Cost of Attendance Living Expenses Adjustment Request Form.

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 Fall and Spring COA amounts listed below are based on full-time enrollment of thirty (30) credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • The One Term COA amounts listed below are based on full-time enrollment in one term: Fall, Spring or Summer term.
  • The Academic Year COA amounts listed below are based on full-time enrollment in all three terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

Estimated Cost of Attendance
 2025-2026

In District - Enrolled Full-Time

  Living with Parent Living Off Campus
Direct Costs:    
Tuition and Fees $5,019 $5,019
     
Indirect Costs:    
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $1,100 $1,100
Transportation $2,985 $2,985
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $8,397 $14,656
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $9,499 $9,499
     
Total COA - Fall and Spring $27,000 $33,259
Total COA - One Term (Fall, Spring or Summer) $13,502 $16,631
Total COA - Academic Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $40,502 $49,890

 

Out of District - Enrolled Full-Time

  Living with Parent Living Off Campus
Direct Costs:    
Tuition and Fees $12,819 $12,819
     
Indirect Costs:    
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $1,100 $1,100
Transportation $2,985 $2,985
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $8,397 $14,656
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $9,499 $9,499
     
Total COA - Fall and Spring $34,800 $41,059
Total COA - One Term (Fall, Spring or Summer) $17,402 $20,531
Total COA - Academic Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $52,202 $61,590

 

Out of State - Enrolled Full-Time

  Living with Parent Living Off Campus
Direct Costs:    
Tuition and Fees $15,084 $15,084
     
Indirect Costs:    
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $1,100 $1,100
Transportation $2,985 $2,985
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $8,397 $14,656
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $9,499 $9,499
     
Total COA - Fall and Spring $37,065 $43,324
Total COA - One Term (Fall, Spring or Summer) $18,534 $21,663
Total COA - Academic Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $55,599 $64,987

 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. The dependent must be included in the student’s household size, care is required for the student to attend school and the student incurred or will incur dependent care expenses. The period for which 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 2025-26 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 Living Expenses Adjustment If you are a dependent student, the Living Expenses (Housing & Food) component of your Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on Living with Parent. If you are an independent student, the Living Expenses (Housing & Food) component of your COA is based on Living Off Campus. If this is not accurate, you may complete this Request Form for an adjustment. The Financial Aid Office will update your budget and then determine if it will impact your financial aid. If there is an adjustment to your aid, you will receive an updated Financial Aid Notification.

Complete the 2025-26 Cost of Attendance Living Expenses Adjustment Request Form.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is an eligibility index that college financial aid staff use for the academic year to determine how much financial aid you would receive if you were to attend their school. The SAI is a result of the information provided by the student and their contributors on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

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

   Cost of Attendance

-  Student Aid Index
--------------------------------------------------------
=  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: 5/13/25