The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has announced the deadline to be eligible for the Monetary Award Program is Saturday, February 21.

In an email sent to students Friday, Carol Waldmann, the interim director of financial aid and scholarships, encourages students to apply for financial aid.

Students need to visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/ and fill out a FAFSA application by Saturday, February 21, to meet the Illinois deadline for MAP grants.

ISAC said in a press release that this year’s deadline is the earliest in the program’s history.