Financial Aid
At Triton College, we take pride in offering an affordable education. While Triton's tuition costs are less than those of most major colleges and universities, individuals and families on a tight budget may still have difficulty meeting their yearly expenses. The purpose of financial aid is to help students and their families bridge the gap between their own resources and the cost of attending Triton College.
Financial assistance may be available to students who are enrolled at Triton for as little as one credit hour. This assistance may be in the form of grants, loans, work on campus or various scholarships. Most of our financial aid programs are based on each student's financial need. Whatever your financial status, we can assist you in affording college.
| In-Person Hours | ||
| Financial Aid Office Student Center - B Building, Room B-160 (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3155 finaid@os-tw.com Fax: (708) 583-3180 |
Fall/Spring Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8AM-7PM Friday: 8AM-4PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8AM-7PM Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
Financial Aid Documents
How to Create Your
StudentForms Account
FAFSA Simplification Act
As a result of the FAFSA Simplification Act, Federal Student Aid is updating the FAFSA process to expand access to federal student aid and provide an easier, streamlined FAFSA experience for students and families. Please see the below video on the changes to the FAFSA application.
Financial Aid Events
Click here to register for FAFSA/Alternative Application Workshop.
Contact Financial Aid Specialist
Financial Aid specialists are assigned based on the first letter of each student's last name.
| Last Name begins with | Specialist | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A - D | LaTanya Walls | (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3531 | latanyawalls@os-tw.com |
| E - L | Felicia LaGioia | (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3741 | felicialagioia@os-tw.com |
| M - Q | Eric Mango | (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3217 | ericmango@os-tw.com |
| R - Z | Karina Vale | (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3043 | karinavale@os-tw.com |
| Veterans (A - M) | April Sharelis | (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3616 | aprilsharelis@os-tw.com |
| Veterans (N - Z) | LaTanya Walls | (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3531 | latanyawalls@os-tw.com |
Financial Aid Basics
Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college. This financial assistance covers educational expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. There are several types of financial aid, including grants and scholarships, work study and loans. Financial aid awards may include a combination of the various types of aid.
There are two basic types of financial aid: Gift aid and Self-help aid.
- Gift aid includes federal grants, state grants, scholarships and other benefits (such as veteran's benefits). This type of aid is free and does not need to be repaid.
- Self-help aid includes student loans or work-study. This type of aid must be repaid or earned.
To be eligible for financial aid (gift aid) you will need to meet these requirements:
- U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizenship
- Illinois residency for state grants only (If you are a dependent, the parent whose information is used must be an Illinois resident)
- Demonstration of financial need
- Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress as determined by your college
- No default status on any student loan, no refund owed on any state or federal grant
- No bachelor's degree (you may still apply for a federal loan)
- Compliance with Federal Selective Service registration requirements
- Not currently incarcerated
- High school graduate or GED recipient
- Degree-seeking undergraduate student
The following videos will explain the Financial Aid process in greater detail
Overview of the Financial Aid Process
How to Fill Out the FAFSA
After the FAFSA: What Happens Next
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for Financial Aid you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov.
Based on the financial information you enter on the FAFSA, the government uses a formula to decide how much you can pay for college out of pocket. That number is your Student Aid Index, or SAI. Triton will subtract your SAI from the school's annual cost of attendance (which includes tuition, living expenses, books, supplies and transportation) to determine your financial need.
If you qualify for need-based financial aid, you will be offered grants to cover some or all of your financial need.
If you do not receive enough gift aid to cover your cost of attendance, or if you did not qualify for any aid at all, you will be given the opportunity to apply for a student loan and/or Triton's work-study program
Financial Aid Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to apply for financial aid at Triton College, where do I start?
Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?
I need help filling out my forms. Who can I talk to?
Who is my Financial Aid specialist?
What is “verification,” and why was I selected?
How long will it take to complete my file and receive my award letter?
Can I start classes before my financial aid is complete?
I want to drop a class. Will this affect my financial aid?
My financial situation has changed since applying for Financial Aid. Is there a way for reconsideration of my financial aid eligibility?
When can I get my books?
What happens to any leftover grant money not used for my tuition and fees?
How do I get my Pell Grant refund check?
Updates
Textbooks
Financial Aid can now be used online at the Triton College Bookstore. At the time of checkout, please select the Financial Aid option and enter in your 7-digit Colleague ID number, which can be found on your schedule. Any purchases are dependent on funds available. Restrictions may apply.
Scholarships
If a student receives a scholarship that includes book funds, and wishes to buy books with the funds, they should follow the steps below:
Students will go to the Bookstore and tell the clerk they will be paying for their books using a book voucher. The cashier will then supply a receipt to the student. The student will then come to the financial aid office, and submit both their receipt and student ID to the Scholarship Office. The Scholarship Office will generate a Book Voucher, and the student can then use the Book Voucher as form of payment at the Book Store.
It’s time to file or renew your FAFSA application!
Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA application as soon as possible. Starting on October 1, the Department of Education will release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and institutions. The Department of Education will make the application available to all students on or before December 1.
The FAFSA application is located at http://fafsa.gov and students should enter Triton College’s school code (001773) when asked which colleges they would like their FAFSA information to be sent to.
In order to better serve our students, the Financial Aid Office has a FAFSA Lab with computers for students to complete and submit the FAFSA. If you are interested in utilizing the computers, please bring appropriate year's taxes and the Financial Aid Office staff will assist with any questions you may have as you process your application. It’s important to create your (and your parent if dependent) FSA ID beforehand as it takes up to 24 hours for the FSA ID to be activated which is required to complete the FAFSA.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3155 or at finaid@os-tw.com.
Special/Unusual Circumstances
If your financial situation has changed significantly since you completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may contact the Financial Aid Office to conduct a review. Updated income and tax information must be provided for the review.
Examples of changes to you or your parent’s financial situation:
- Unemployment
- Dependency Status Change
- Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Marital Status Change (divorce, separation, widowed)
Unusual circumstances do NOT include:
- Parents will not provide information on the FAFSA
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent on taxes or if the student is self sufficient
- Resigning or leaving a job voluntarily
- Voluntarily decreasing work hours to attend college
- Credit card or mortgage debt
If you would like to pursue a special/unusual circumstances review, please email the financial aid office at finaid@os-tw.com.