Updated Aug. 7, 2026
What happened?
On July 24, 2026, a United States federal district court ruled that Illinois laws allowing state financial aid for undocumented students attending public universities are unconstitutional and invalid. The court also permanently barred enforcement of related provisions of the RISE Act and Illinois DREAM Fund.
The ruling affects state financial aid programs, including the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and AIM HIGH, for the 2026-27 academic year.
Since the ruling, the state of Illinois, including the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the Illinois Board of Higher Education and Illinois public universities, has been working to understand its implications and determine next steps.
Who is affected?
The ruling affects students who applied for state of Illinois financial aid through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid for the 2026-27 academic year.
On Aug. 7, the state of Illinois informed universities that, as a result of the court ruling, students who applied through the Alternative Application are no longer eligible to receive state financial aid, including MAP and AIM HIGH, for the 2026-27 academic year.
Students who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are not affected by this ruling and will continue to be considered for federal and state financial aid for which they are otherwise eligible.
How does this affect financial aid offers?
Based on guidance regarding the court’s ruling from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and NIU’s Office of General Counsel, NIU must reassess financial aid offers for affected students. This will likely reduce the amount of financial aid available to those students.
NIU’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is currently reviewing and revising financial aid packages for affected students, who will receive information specific to their individual circumstances during the week of Aug. 10. These students do not need to contact the office to request a review because NIU is proactively handling that process and will communicate directly with each of them.
What is NIU doing?
NIU recognizes the significant impact this change may have on affected students and their families. This was not the outcome the university had hoped for, and NIU remains committed to working with affected students to identify available options that can help them continue pursuing their NIU degree.
NIU will communicate directly with affected students about changes to their financial aid and available next steps.
Additional Information
This is a developing situation, and NIU will update this page as additional information becomes available.
Students and families can also review information from ISAC, including details about the Monetary Award Program and ISAC’s Frequently Asked Questions about the RISE Act, available in English and Spanish.