@mom2collegekids
I just recently learned that Loyola does not participate in the MTIP program, so those funds can be scratched off from any financial aid package from Loyola (UIUC participates though). The 5k in MAP funds is almost assured, for it goes to those first have have high financial need. As long as I fill out my FAFSA as soon as possible I will be good. The TEACH grant is not very hard to get, but the commitment that it requires (5 years of teaching low income high need) sees a lot of people fail to meet the commitment and convert the grant to unsubbed stafford loans. There is one public I could commute to (Western Ill- Quad Cities), but it is a very new school having opened in 2012, and is still very rough and unproven.
My healthcare is covered through the state as of now, but as soon as my brother turned 18 they dropped him, so I figure they might do the same to this winter. I think this was probably because the program was only for minors, so I will likely have state covered healthcare under a new program since my mother moves jobs a lot. One of the larger costs at Loyola is their healthcare plan, which under certain circumstances one can be waived out of.
I also just remembered that my mother said that if she gets a lot back during tax season (she normally does) she might be able to throw some my way, so depending on how good she does, I could have possible an extra 1k-2k a year.