JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

Submit 2023-24 MTI and Golden Apple Second-Term Claims

01/12/2024

Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org).

The ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal – which includes the electronic processing systems for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship and Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois programs – is available for submission of second-term (spring semester and winter quarter) records.

  • Colleges are encouraged to submit 2023-24 second-term certifications and/or payment requests (claims) as soon as possible.
    • The second-term MTI and Golden Apple priority claim deadline dates will be announced once they have been determined.
  • Even though the priority claim deadline of December 29, 2023 has passed for the first (fall) term, ISAC is continuing to accept and pay first-term claims for these programs.
  • Colleges may submit first- and second-term claims by accessing the MTI and Golden Apple systems.
    • Colleges are always encouraged to submit claims as soon as they are able to do so.
    • The timely submission of claims and cancellations/adjustments allows ISAC staff to monitor remaining funds and award other students, as applicable.
  • Colleges are reminded to continue certifying MTI eligibility throughout the year, in order to ensure that students will be included in any rounds of awarding that take place.
  • By submitting a Golden Apple claim, the institution is certifying that the student is enrolled and continues to meet all eligibility requirements for the program.
    • If not submitting a claim, the institution reports the reason for the student's ineligibility.
  • Submitting claims is a two-step process, which involves generating the request (either individually or in a batch) and then submitting the request.
  • MTI and Golden Apple claim results are available on a daily basis via each program's online system.
    • Colleges are encouraged to always review the Payment Results/Exceptions report, which is available the day after claims are processed.
  • The disbursement of funds is processed by the State Comptroller's Office.
  • Because Payment Offset and Reconciliation procedures apply to the MTI and Golden Apple programs, refund checks should not be sent for cancellations/adjustments made throughout the award year.
    • Funds should only be returned to ISAC after a final reconciliation has been completed at the end of the regular school year.
  • More information regarding online certification (for the MTI Scholarship Program) and payment functionality (for both programs), including detailed instructions, is available at the following locations on ISAC's website:

Watch for Future Updates

Future program updates will be shared with colleges via ISAC's standard methods of communication, including: the MTI Scholarship and Golden Apple "Program News" areas; the FAA Message Board; and, this e-Messaging service.

You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups for FAAs.

If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please contact ISAC's School Services Department by calling toll free at 866.247.2172 or sending an e-mail message to isac.schoolservices@illinois.gov.