The Student-to-Student (STS) grant is a grant awarded in part by the state of Illinois, through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), to undergraduate students. Voluntary student contributions are matched, dollar-for-dollar, by ISAC and paid to Illinois public institutions to award to needy students. An STS grant does not have to be repaid.

The student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year he or she plans to attend, prior to the SIUC April 1st priority deadline date. (See full instructions under Federal Pell Grant)

An undergraduate student is eligible to be considered for the STS grant if they have a valid EFC on file in the Financial Aid Office by the deadline date, and are determined to have financial need. Students who have been chosen to complete the verification process (through which information on the FAFSA is verified as accurate by the Financial Aid Office) must complete the verification process before any federal or state financial aid is processed.

Undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, who have met the basic criteria and the April 1st priority deadline, and have a packaging need greater than $8,435 after the Estimated Family Contribution, Veterans benefits and other aid excluding loans & Federal-Work-Study may be awarded STS funds.

As required by ISAC, STS awards at SIUC may not be above $1,000. Half of the award is provided in the fall semester and half in the spring semester.