Amount
Tuition and mandatory fees. The amount is determined by the institution.
Learn more about the award amountEligibility
You must be a student attending a college in Illinois or a bordering state that participates in the HELP Program.
Learn more about eligibility requirementsApplication Process
Complete the FAFSA or Alternative Application every year. Contact your college to see if they have an additional application process.
How to applyApplication Deadline
The deadline depends on whether your school has application materials for students to submit.
Dates and timelinesProgram Details
This program provides assistance to students who attend colleges in Illinois or a neighboring state that participate in the special collegiate license plates. The Illinois Secretary of State issues special collegiate license plates for these institutions. Part of the funds from these license plates is appropriated annually to ISAC to administer a grant program for undergraduate students attending colleges and universities located in Illinois or a bordering state.
For Students and Parents
For Partners and Professionals
The Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Grant program provides need-based grant assistance to students attending participating Illinois private colleges and universities. The 2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) appropriation for the Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program is $110,000. The Secretary of State deposits $25 per set of collegiate license plates sold into the University Grant Fund.
Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Grant Program: Part 2737 - Administrative Rules
Please review the eligibility, how to apply, dates and timelines, award amounts, and definitions sections for additional program information.
Each year, typically in September, ISAC determines annual institutional allocation amounts based on collegiate license plate revenues received from the Secretary of State for the applicable calendar year.
Once allocations are finalized, ISAC notifies the institutions of the amount available to each college and requests the submission of payment requests.
Participating institutions are required to respond within the established timeframe and submit the required payment request information to ISAC. After receiving and reviewing the institutional request, ISAC will process payments in accordance with applicable State fiscal and accounts payable procedures.