Apply for Aid
A great education is within reach. Applying for scholarships and financial aid at Elmhurst University is easy, and we’re here to help.
The University offers scholarships, grants, loans and work-study. Some types of aid are based on need, others on academic merit, talent or other considerations.
You’ll be automatically considered for Elmhurst University scholarships when you submit your application for admission. To apply for grants, loans and work-study, follow these steps.
Apply for admission to Elmhurst University. You have to be admitted to the University before we can award financial aid. This will also be your application for most Elmhurst scholarships.
Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). This will be your login to the federal site and allow you to access the FAFSA. Each person contributing to the FAFSA will need their own login (ex. parents or spouse).
The student will need to have a valid Social Security Number to create their account, but it is not a requirement for parent contributors.
Tax information from two years back is needed for the application. In most cases, you can transfer in your tax records to the FAFSA application with the Direct Data Exchange tool, but it is encouraged to have your records on hand when completing the application.
Other records such as W-2s, other records of money earned, asset information, child support received, and business or farm information is helpful to have as well.
Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid). Complete the FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible, and by our suggested priority deadline of January 2026. The Office of Student Financial Services can assist with this if needed. Don’t forget to list Elmhurst University on your application with our school code 001676.
State aid such as the Illinois MAP Grant have earlier deadlines, so Illinois residents should be filing the FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered.
After you successfully submit your FAFSA, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your FAFSA Submission Summary on your FSA account. It’s important to review this, as it will tell you if any errors have been detected and need correcting. You will also be able to see your Student Aid Index (SAI) here.
If you do not receive this communication, it’s possible your application was not submitted fully. You can check the “My Activity” section of studentaid.gov to review the status of your application.
After we receive your application, we will publish your award package in Self-Service and send a letter by mail for new students. Once notified, review your award package in Self-Service on the myElmhurst Portal to accept or decline any of the self-help aid, which includes loans and work-study. Scholarships and grants are automatically accepted for you.
Instructional Videos for the FAFSA Application
Federal Student Aid has produced videos to assist with common questions about the FAFSA. Review them here:
- Create and Access Your StudentAid.gov Account
- Gather Information Required To Complete the FAFSA® Form
- Start Your FAFSA® Form
- What Does It Mean To Provide Consent and Approval on the FAFSA® Form?
- Complete the Financials Section of the FAFSA® Form
- What Happens After Submitting Your FAFSA® Form?
Other Helpful Information
Need to appeal your circumstances?
Since the FAFSA uses income information from two years prior, it’s possible your financial situation has changed. If your family has extenuating circumstances that you would like us to consider in awarding aid—for instance, a job loss or serious illness—please review your eligibility for Special Circumstances and, if applicable, submit an appeal. For more information, visit our Special Circumstances page.
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Eligible students unable to complete the FAFSA can choose to apply for Illinois state financial aid. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has created an Illinois-specific online application for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, called the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The data from the application will be used to determine a student’s MAP eligibility. Any students meeting the RISE Act criteria are encouraged to complete this application. Eligible students must also meet the MAP program’s eligibility requirements.
Other forms of aid
We also encourage you to explore additional sources of financial assistance. Many foundations, businesses and civic organizations offer scholarships to students who fit certain criteria. Check with your school counselor to find out what’s available to you. You can also visit our External Scholarships page.