CHICAGO – State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is encouraging students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to seek financial aid adjustments if needed and take advantage of free financial aid consultation from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“This pandemic has had a significant impact on college students throughout the state, and many of them may now be facing questions about how they can afford to continue their education,” Munoz said. “It’s critical that we provide them with resources to guide them through the process of adjusting their financial aid.”

As students prepare to return to colleges and universities in the fall, many of them are facing new financial challenges due to the pandemic. Students and their families can seek an adjustment to their financial aid offers based on their new financial situation. Students in need of additional aid should contact the financial aid offices at their colleges and universities. ISAC is available to help guide them through the process.

ISAC also provides free assistance to these students as they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the recently launched Alternative Application for Illinois Financial aid, which provides financial aid to undocumented and transgender students. 

These resources can be accessed both online and through the ISAC College Q&A program, a free text resources for students seeking answers to financial aid questions. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish. 

“Every student’s situation is different, and these resources allow them to work with ISAC to ensure they receive the financial aid package that best suits them,” Munoz said. “I encourage all students and families who have been impacted by the pandemic to take advantage of them.”

For additional information about financial aid and returning to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://www.isac.org/covid-19/.