Scholarships & Aid

For any student, the task of figuring out how to fund post-secondary education can be daunting.  For students with disabilities, the process can be even more overwhelming.  Thankfully, there are a number of options available to students.  The following options are available to students looking to off-set the cost of a college education.

FAFSA

All students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA application. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for all Federal and State financial aid programs. Even if you feel you may not qualify for assistance, it is still recommended that you complete the application.  Even students who are not eligible for one type of aid (a MAP or PELL grant, for example), may still qualify for another program, such as Work Study. The FAFSA can be completed online at fafsa.ed.gov. To apply online, it is recommended that you (and your parent, if you are a dependent) first register for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the U.S. Department of Education. You can request a PIN online.  Be careful to enter the appropriate code for the school to which you are applying- Rock Valley College's school code is 001747.

More information on financial aid, completing the FAFSA, and other financial resources can be found on the RVC Financial Aid website or by contacting the RVC Financial Aid office at (815) 921-4150.

It is also important to note that it may also be a requirement by other social service organizations, such as the Department of Human Services, to complete the FAFSA application as part of their eligibility procedure. You should inquire about the agency's specific eligibility requirements prior to RVC's payment deadline if you are receiving financial support from another outside organization.

Scholarships- Internal

Rock Valley College does not recommend that you pay anyone to find a scholarship or financial assistance for you. Rock Valley College offers funding assistance provided by private donors, the RVC Foundation, and other state and community sources. New and current full-time and part-time students are encouraged to apply for scholarships through the RVC Foundation.  Scholarship applications must be completed online and submitted by the due date.

Disability-Related Scholarships

The DSS office maintains a listing of external scholarship opportunities specifically for students with disabilities.  Although the DSS office strives to keep this listing as up-to-date as possible, it is recommended to reference the scholarship source's webpage for the most accurate information.