Prepaid Tuition 
ISAC Update
VOL. 29, NO. 1IGSL, 1B
July 2011
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| MAPnet Users | |
| FFELP Participants | |
| ISAC Update Group |
Welcome to the July 2011 ISAC Update for financial aid administrators and business officers. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent through the College Illinois! e-Messaging service throughout July.
The articles in this Update have been organized according to the FAA subscription groups to which the messages were distributed.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this ISAC Update can be directed to School Services at 866.247.2172 or at isac.schoolservices@isac.illinois.gov. On occasion, you may be directed to a specific contact person or area; when this occurs, we will provide the appropriate information in the individual article or message.
2011-12 BIG Program Application Available August 1
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on July 27, 2011.
The following is important information regarding the
2011-12 College Savings Bond Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG) Program.
Availability of 2011-12 BIG Program Application
The 2011-12 BIG Program application is scheduled to be available to print and download from the "Applications" page (located under "During College - Applying for Financial Aid" in the Students & Parents area of the College Illinois! website) beginning at 9 a.m. (CT) on Monday, August 1, 2011. To facilitate access for financial aid professionals, the application will also be posted in the e-Library of the College Zone website under #4, "Applications & Forms." Completed applications should be submitted as soon as possible after they become available.
In order to be considered for an award, all sections of the BIG Program application must be complete, including certification of enrollment from a representative of the college Registrar's Office. Complete applications will be processed according to the date they are received at ISAC, and it is estimated that approximately 350 grants will be funded. Consequently, you are encouraged to notify the Registrar's Office at your college that they may see an increase in requests for enrollment verification on or after August 1, and their prompt response to those requests will greatly assist bondholders and students with the application process.
Specific details regarding the BIG Program are provided in the College Savings Bond Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG) Program section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa.
Commission Appoints Interim Executive Director
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators and Business Officers on July 25, 2011.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, with newly-appointed members and Chairman, has named John Sinsheimer as Interim Executive Director, replacing Andrew Davis. John is not new to ISAC nor the financial aid field, having served as ISAC's Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of Financial Products and Services from 2007 ? 2009. Most recently, John has been Director of Capital Markets for the State of Illinois, and as such, is well aware of the challenges facing a state agency in tough economic times. John's appointment was effective July 8th.
Although new agency leadership is in place, our commitment to providing the best possible programs and services to the students and families we serve, as well as to you our partners, remains unchanged. We look forward to our continuing collaboration as we fulfill our mission of making college accessible and affordable for Illinois students.
FY12 State Budget Approved - Funding in Place for ISAC's Programs
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users and Business Officers on July 21, 2011.
Governor Pat Quinn, on June 30th, signed the Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) State budget, which includes funding for ISAC-administered programs. While some ISAC programs saw an increase from FY11 appropriations, the overall FY12 budget of $406,865,000 is nearly $9 million less than last year's.
Most notably, funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) was reduced by $17.2 million, despite record demand for need-based student assistance. However, even though the budget has been approved, several legislators have expressed support for a supplemental appropriation for MAP and other programs which could occur during the fall veto session or in early 2012. We will, of course, keep you apprised of any developments regarding that possibility.
On a more positive note, the FY12 budget restored limited funding of $6 million for the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program. It is expected that this amount will be sufficient to pay most summer term claims, and is in addition to $7.25 million in the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) budget which may cover most remaining IVG claims in the community college sector.
For detailed information on the funding allocation for each ISAC program, access the chart included in Item #6 of the July 8th Commission Meeting Agenda Book. Please note that the narrative accompanying the chart was written prior to the governor's approval of the budget, and does not indicate that the legislation was signed.
Also be watching for an updated State Legislative Update, which will be posted in the near future and will include information about legislative activity on other education-related bills.
Military Program Processing Updates: 2010-11 ING Grant Payment Status and Close-out, and 2011-12 IVG Payment
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs and Business Officers on July 21, 2011.
Please note that all online pages referenced in the below message may be accessed via isac.org/faa.
The following updates are being provided by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to assist colleges as they administer the Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant and the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) programs.
ING Grant Updates
2010-11 ING Grant Spring and Summer Term Payment
As you are aware, 2010-11 timely (in-district and out-of-district) ING Grant payment requests for fall term were paid at 100% (no proration factor was applied).
However, because all appropriated funds have been expended, the institution will be responsible for 100% of each eligible student's ING Grant timely spring and summer term awards, and will also be responsible for 100% of all eligible students' late claims (i.e., claims that were submitted after the due dates for each term's claims).
End of 2010-11 ING Grant Online Processing Cycle
The end of the online reconciliation cycle (i.e., processing via My Zone) for the 2010-11 ING Grant Program is quickly approaching. ISAC encourages colleges to make every effort to reconcile ING Grant data for the year (including summer term).
Keep in mind the following updates and reminders:
- By the end of July, the 'submit' button on the ING Payment Roster View screen and the ING Supplemental Payment Roster screen will be disabled. No initial or supplemental rosters for FY10 (i.e., the 2010-11 academic year) may be submitted via My Zone. The ability to view 2010-11 ING Grant records at My Zone will remain through the end of July.
- Colleges should reconcile and print reports for historical and record keeping purposes as soon as possible, because My Zone will no longer contain 2010-11 ING Grant data after July.
- In order to report 2010-11 ING Grant correction records and supplemental claims after July, colleges should send an e-mail message to School Services (isac.schoolservices@isac.illinois.gov) that contains the following information:*
- Subject Line: FY10 ING Supplemental Roster
- School Name
- Student's Name
- Last 4 Digits of the SSN
- Restrictions (if any)
- In-District Tuition Amount
- Out-of-District Tuition (if any)
- Activity Fee (if any)
- Eligible Fee (if any)
- Total Dollars
- Total Hours
- Adjustment Type
* Please see the ING - Supplemental Payment Request Quick Reference Guide for other items that may need to be included on the supplemental request, depending on the adjustment type.
2011-12 ING Grant Announcement Roster Cycle
Current plans call for applicant data to be available for review by the Illinois Department of Military Affairs (IDMA) in late July. ING Announcement Rosters are anticipated to be available for colleges to view at My Zone in early- to mid-August.
You will be notified via the standard communication methods (i.e., the FAA Message Board, ING Program News, and this e-Messaging system) when specific details are available.
IVG Updates
2011-12 IVG Online Payment
IVG Online Payment is anticipated to be available in early August, allowing colleges to submit IVG Program payment requests via the My Zone portal, as well as via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). IVG Online Payment will be available daily from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. (CT).
As a reminder, the 2011-12 IVG File Specifications (describing the 80-byte file layout to be used to send payment requests for the IVG Program to ISAC via FTP) are available within the Electronic Tools section of the
e-Library. To activate participation in the IVG FTP process, or to schedule the transmission of an IVG FTP test file, colleges must contact School Services.
IVG Summer Term Processing Schedule
ISAC anticipates accepting IVG summer term claims via IVG Online Payment, as well as via FTP, beginning in early August. Summer term claims are due on or before September 15, 2011.
Since the summer term leads the academic year for the IVG Program, 2011-12 tuition and fees are to be used when claiming payment for summer 2011.
IVG Fall and Spring Terms Processing Schedule
IVG claims processing for the fall term will begin on September 16, 2011. The start date for spring term claims processing is January 16, 2012. Schools will receive a response of "F - Future Claim" for payment requests submitted prior to the term's processing start date. These claims will be held at ISAC and then automatically processed when payment processing for that term begins (i.e., September 16 for fall term or January 16 for spring term).
Fall term claims are due on or before January 15, 2012. Spring term claims are due on or before May 25, 2012.
Be sure to regularly check the current "Important Reminders" calendar, which is located at the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs page, for upcoming processing dates regarding the IVG Program and other gift assistance programs administered by ISAC.
Security Levels for Accessing Data
Individuals who have been accessing IVG eligibility information in My Zone can view the IVG payment screens via IVG Online Payment. It's important to note, however, that the security level for a staff person to request, edit or update IVG payment claims must be set to "General Admin" by the My Zone administrator at each college. The My Zone administrator should set user access to "View Only" for staff who will not be involved in requesting payment, but need to view IVG eligibility and payment information.
Questions?
If college staff or My Zone administrators have problems gaining access to the ING Grant Program or IVG Program functions, or have questions regarding the online system, they should contact ISAC's School Services Department as indicated below.
As always, refer to the ING Grant and IVG Program News areas for the most up-to-date information.
2011-12 Recompute Implementation for MAPnet, and Update on 2010-11 MAP
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users and Business Officers on July 14, 2011.
The following message provides details regarding plans for reflecting recompute processing changes in the 2011-12 MAPnet system, as well as an explanation of how the anticipated fiscal year 2012 (FY12) state budget may impact 2011-12 Monetary Award Program (MAP) awards. In addition, important information regarding 2010-11 MAP is provided.
Recompute Implementation Schedule
Because the 2011-12 start-up formula has been approved as the recompute formula (see below "2011-12 MAP Awards" section for details), MAPnet award data does not need to be recalculated. However, at this time some college-specific changes will be made (e.g., changing from "cents" to "no-cents) and the new MAP 2+2 Pilot school codes will be added to the system. ISAC anticipates that these updates will be completed around noon (12 p.m.) on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. In order to move these changes into production, access to the 2011-12 MAPnet system will be unavailable starting at noon on Friday, July 15, and continuing until further notice on July 19.
Once verification of the system update has been completed on July 19, we will send a message to the "MAPnet Users" e-Messaging subscription group to announce the availability of the 2011-12 MAPnet system. All 2011-12 Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) data received from the Central Processing System (CPS) through (including) Friday, July 15 will be reflected in MAPnet on Tuesday, July 19.
2011-12 MAP Awards
As was announced in a July 11 e-Message, at its July 8 meeting the Commission approved using the FY12 MAP start-up formula as the FY12 recompute formula. If it is later determined necessary to reduce award amounts to stay within the appropriation, second- and third-term awards would be reduced accordingly (as outlined in Table 2 of Agenda Item 7 from the July 8 Agenda Book).
2011-12 IIA Program Not Funded
Based on FY12 state budget appropriations, the 2011-12 Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program will not be funded.
Resources Available Online
The 2011-12 MAP Formula section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa, has been updated to reflect the recompute process.
As always, refer to the MAP Program News area for the most up-to-date information.
2010-11 MAP Updates
MAPnet System Not Impacted by Recompute
The 2010-11 MAPnet system will not be impacted by the implementation of 2011-12 recompute. Please note the following important dates related to the close-out of 2010-11 MAP:
- the deadline to submit 2010-11 cancellations, refunds, or reductions via MAPnet for MAP is 7 p.m. on July 29, 2011; and
- the MAPnet application for 2010-11 becomes available for historical view only on August 1, 2011.
Return Amounts Due by August 8
You are encouraged to finalize reconciliation activities on your campus and return funds due to ISAC as soon as possible.
As was announced in a July 8 e-Message, the outstanding amount due for MAP (with proper documentation) should be returned to ISAC on or before August 8, 2011. Be sure to use the Gift Assistance Programs Check Return Form, which includes a field to specify the term(s) for which funds are being returned. This document is available within the Refunds and Unpaid Claims portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa.
As a reminder, due to the offset process, do not send refund checks to ISAC without providing the appropriate adjustment data via MAPnet. Details regarding the use of MAPnet (including the User Guide) are provided within the MAPnet portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area.
Commission Meeting Summary - 2011-12 MAP Recompute Formula Approved
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on July 11, 2011.
At its July 8th meeting, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) approved the 2011-12 Monetary Award Program (MAP) recompute formula, along with various other agenda items (see below).
2011-12 MAP Recompute Formula (Agenda Item 7)
Each year, ISAC is responsible for adopting an allocation formula for MAP. However, because the fiscal year 2012 (FY12) MAP appropriation is somewhat unclear (see Agenda Item 7 for details) and early application volume increased again this year (resulting in the earliest-ever suspense date of March 26th), the Commission approved staff's recommendation to use the FY12 MAP start-up formula as the FY12 recompute formula. If it is later determined necessary to reduce award amounts to stay within the appropriation, second- and third-term awards would be reduced accordingly (as described in Table 2 of this agenda item).
Watch for Further Details
The 2011-12 MAP Formula section will soon be updated to reflect "recompute." You will be notified via this e-Messaging service when the appropriation for FY12 MAP has been finalized, and when to expect system changes related to the recompute process.
Adopted Rules and Amendments (Agenda Item 4)
The Commission approved and adopted the omnibus rules and amendments, as modified during the rulemaking process, to be effective for the 2011-12 academic year. No substantive changes were made to the rules and amendments as originally published. The full text of the newly-adopted rules and amendments is available online within the ISAC Administrative Rules section of the e-Library, which can be accessed via isac.org/faa. Note that, until such time as the "2011-12 ISAC Rules" section has been created (anticipated for later this summer), these rules and amendments will appear in the e-Library as "Proposed Omnibus Rules and Amendments."
Other Commission Meeting Agenda Items
Information regarding additional agenda items discussed by the Commission is provided in the July 8 Agenda Book (located within the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area at isac.org).
Returning Amounts Owed for 2010-11 MAP
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users and Business Officers on July 8, 2011.
The 2010-11 Monetary Award Program (MAP) third term priority payment claim deadline (June 1) has passed, and late payment requests for MAP that were received on or before July 1, 2010 have been released for payment. In order for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to determine its ability to pay additional MAP late claims, a prompt return of funds is necessary.
You are encouraged to finalize reconciliation activities on your campus and return funds due to ISAC as soon as possible. In addition, letters were mailed to college financial aid offices on July 8, 2011, detailing the "Due to ISAC" amount for each institution as of the Tuesday, July 5th MAP payment processing run. Please review the letter and return the appropriate amount.
Return Amounts Due by August 8th
The outstanding amount due for MAP, with proper documentation, should be returned to ISAC on or before August 8, 2011. Be sure to use the Gift Assistance Programs Check Return Form, which includes a field to specify the term(s) for which funds are being returned. This document is available within the Refunds and Unpaid Claims portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa.
As a reminder, due to the offset process, do not send refund checks to ISAC without providing the appropriate adjustment data via MAPnet. Details regarding the use of MAPnet including the User Guide) are provided within the MAPnet portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area.
2010-11 MAP Late Claims Released for Payment: Results Available in MAPnet
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users and Business Officers on July 6, 2011.
2010-11 Monetary Award Program (MAP) late claims (initial payment requests received at ISAC after the applicable priority claim deadline) were released for payment on Tuesday (July 5), and payment results are now available in MAPnet. All late claims received on or before July 1, 2011 have been processed. Payment results appear on MAPnet's Payment Results reports, Student List Payment screen and the Payment Detail screen.
All other initial payment requests (i.e., any requests received after July 1) will continue to be held. Records currently held as late claims are identified in MAPnet with a Reject Reason Code of "Y."
ISAC will continue to process reductions and cancellations to awards through July 29, 2011.
Continued Need to Reconcile 2010-11 MAP Records
The need for colleges to reconcile 2010-11 MAP records continues. Please complete a full reconciliation of MAP data and disbursements and return any amounts due (with proper documentation) as soon as possible. Letters detailing the "Due to ISAC" amount will be mailed to financial aid directors in the near future. Please review the letter and return the appropriate amount.
In addition, be sure to use the Gift Assistance Programs Check Return Form, which includes a field to specify the term(s) for which funds are being returned. This document is available within the Refunds and Unpaid Claims portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa.
As a reminder, due to the offset process, do not send refund checks to ISAC without providing the appropriate adjustment data via MAPnet. Details regarding the use of MAPnet (including the User Guide) are provided within the MAPnet portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area.
Watch for Future Updates
Continue to monitor ISAC's established methods of communication (i.e., MAP Program News, FAA Zone Message Board and e-Messages) for additional updates as they become available.
2010-11 MAP Late Claims Being Released for Payment
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users and Business Officers on July 1, 2011.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) plans to release 2010-11 Monetary Award Program (MAP) claims, as outlined below.
Late Claims - Processed July 5
2010-11 MAP late claims (initial payment requests received at ISAC after the applicable priority claim deadline) will be released for payment according to the following schedule:
- On Tuesday (July 5, 2011), late claims received on or before July 1, 2011 will be processed. Payment results will be available in MAPnet on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.
Records currently held as late claims are identified in MAPnet with a Reject Reason Code of "Y." Results for late payment requests that are processed will be available via MAPnet as outlined above. Payment results will appear on MAPnet's Payment Results reports, Student List Payment screen and the Payment Detail screen.
Once the above-referenced payment claims have been released for payment, all other initial payment requests will continue to be held. ISAC will continue to process reductions and cancellations to awards through July 29, 2011.
Continued Need to Reconcile 2010-11 MAP Records
The need for colleges to reconcile 2010-11 MAP records continues. Please complete a full reconciliation of MAP data and disbursements and return any amounts due (with proper documentation) as soon as possible. Letters detailing the "Due to ISAC" amount will be mailed to financial aid directors in the near future. Please review the letter and return the appropriate amount.
In addition, be sure to use the Gift Assistance Programs Check Return Form, which includes a field to specify the term(s) for which funds are being returned. This document is available within the Refunds and Unpaid Claims portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa.
As a reminder, due to the offset process, do not send refund checks to ISAC without providing the appropriate adjustment data via MAPnet. Details regarding the use of MAPnet (including the User Guide) are provided within the MAPnet portion of the FAA Zone's Processes area.
Watch for Future Updates
Continue to monitor ISAC's established methods of communication (i.e., MAP Program News, FAA Zone Message Board and e-Messages) for additional updates as they become available.
MAP Recompute Successfully Implemented: 2011-12 MAPnet System Available
Sent on July 21, 2011
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) staff has completed verification of system changes related to the Monetary Award Program (MAP) recompute process and the 2011-12 MAPnet system is now available.
All 2011-12 Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) data received from the Central Processing System (CPS) through (including) Friday, July 15 is reflected in MAPnet, and we have returned to daily processing of ISIR data.
The 2011-12 MAP Formula section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa, has been updated to reflect the recompute process.
2010-11 MAP Updates
Please note the following important dates related to the close-out of 2010-11 MAP:
- the deadline to submit 2010-11 cancellations, refunds, or reductions via MAPnet for MAP is
7 p.m. on July 29, 2011; and - the MAPnet application for 2010-11 becomes available for historical view only on August 1, 2011.
As was announced in a July 8 e-Message, payment results for processed 2010-11 MAP late claims received through (including) July 1, 2011 are available in MAPnet. You are encouraged to finalize reconciliation activities on your campus and return funds due to ISAC as soon as possible. The outstanding amount due for MAP (with proper documentation) should be returned to ISAC on or before August 8, 2011 (see the July 8 e-Message for further details).
As always, refer to the MAP Program News area for the most up-to-date information.
Latest School DAAR Report Available
Sent on July 5, 2011 and July 18, 2011
The Notification of Student Loan Borrower DAAR Status report (School DAAR Report) for your school is now available on College Zone's My Zone.
The School DAAR Report is non-cumulative and is available twice a month to those institutions with students for whom ISAC, as the guarantor, has received a Default Aversion Assistance Request (DAAR) during the reporting time period. Each time a new School DAAR Report is made available online, an e-Message will be sent to the "FFELP Participants" e-Messaging subscription group.
Accessing School DAAR Reports at My Zone
My Zone is a portal available in the FAA Zone at isac.org/faa that allows postsecondary schools online access to student-specific data in a secure environment. If you have not yet signed up to participate in My Zone, proceed to the FAA Zone front page and select the My Zone Quick Link.
For complete information and instructions to access your school's DAAR Report, proceed to the FAA Zone front page and select the My Zone Quick Link in the right margin of the page.
Electronic ISAC Update for June 2011 Now Available
Sent on July 1, 2011
The June 2011 edition of the ISAC Update is now available for your review within the ISAC Publications section of College Zone's e-Library, which may be accessed via isac.org/faa. This version of the monthly electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent to financial aid administrators and business officers in June via the College Illinois! e-Messaging service.
Topics covered in the June 2011 ISAC Update include:
- Commission Meeting to be Held Friday, July 8th
(sent June 30, 2011) - New from Mapping Your Future: Loan Management Counseling
(sent June 29, 2011) - ISAC Selects Institutions to Participate in 2011-12 MAP 2+2 Pilot
(sent June 24, 2011) - "College Changes Everything" Conference: Registration Now Open
(sent June 20, 2011) - 2010-11 ING Grant Summer Term Payment Request Rosters Now Available via My Zone
(sent June 15, 2011) - Commission Meeting Rescheduled to July 8th - MAP Formula on Agenda
(sent June 8, 2011) - ISAC Update Webinar Rescheduled for June 16
(sent June 8, 2011) - New State Legislative Update Available (June 6, 2011)
(sent June 6, 2011) - New from Mapping Your Future: Grace Period and Repayment Counseling
(sent June 6, 2011) - New State Legislative Update Available (June 1, 2011)
(sent June 2, 2011) - Latest School DAAR Report Available
(sent June 3, 2011 and June 20, 2011) - Electronic ISAC Update for May 2011 Now Available
(sent June 1, 2011)
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