You run the risk of not getting grant money with the Illinois MAP Grant. If you wait too long, then that's up to $4,500 you don't qualify for because you filed late.

We've changed stuff even from last year. This resulted in students owing the university money when we returned aid.

Anybody who has turned in their application prior to March 1 we work on first.

It is certainly a risk if you have new money in the market now with these kind of price- earnings ratios, ... If you're queasy about drops and ups and downs this might be a time to be a little cautious.

There's never any great risk as long as you have money.

There's a limited pot of money, and applying late puts you at risk of missing out on financial aid you might be eligible for.