JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

Golden Apple Scholars (GA) of Illinois Electronic Processing

Overview
Access to the GAP Access Portal
Access GA Data
Hours of Operation
GA User Guide
Helpful Hints

Overview

The Golden Apple Scholars (GA) of Illinois Program is processed through ISAC’s Gift Assistance Program (GAP) Access portal. Processing via the GA system has the same look and feel and functionality as the other Gift Assistance Programs administered through GAP Access.

The Application, Certification and Award Determination functions to receive a Golden Apple Scholarship are performed by the Golden Apple Foundation. When the Golden Apple Foundation submits applicant and award information to ISAC, a record is added to the college’s database in the GA system that can be viewed by selecting the Student tab to display the Student List Eligibility: View screen. The Student List Eligibility: View screen displays in a format similar to other programs that are processed via the GAP Access portal.

Currently colleges have the option to submit individual or batch payment requests for awarded students. Refer to the GA Payment page for information about the payment request and payment authorization processes. Refer the GA User Guide section for details regarding application, eligibility certification, award determination, payment request and payment authorization processes.

Access to the GAP Access Portal

The GAP Access Administrator authorizes privileges for users at their school to access data for all Gift Assistance Programs on the GAP Access portal. The financial aid director is the primary GAP Access Administrator, however, the director may select others to act as GAP Access Administrators. GAP Access Administrators are responsible for monitoring passwords, security and staff access to the portal and the GA system. The financial aid director should select the administrators based on the confidential nature of, and the access to student data. Refer to the GAP Access User Guide for general questions, user name and password maintenance, and technical information about accessing programs in GAP Access.

After obtaining a user ID and password from the Administrator, two-factor authentication is required for both School User and Administrator accounts every time a user logs in. All users, not just those who work in the financial aid office, are required to use two-factor authentication.The previous use of challenge questions and answers was discontinued.

If the application needed to implement two-factor authentication has not been installed, users will not be able to log in to the GAP Access portal. Refer to the GAP Access Two-Factor Authentication User Guide found in the GAP Access User Guides section of the GAP Access page or contact the School Services Department for assistance.

Access GA Data

To access GA data:

  • sign on to the GAP Access system using the assigned User ID and password then complete the two-factor authentication process
  • select "Programs" from the blue ribbon across the top of the screen and select GA from the drop-down menu;
  • select the academic year from the drop-down menu;
  • select one of the tabs at the top of the “GA” screen to access any of the functions; i.e., select the “Student” Tab to access the Student List Eligibility: View or
  • enter an SSN to access an individual student record

Hours of Operation

The GA system is available each day between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. (CT).

GA User Guide

The GA User Guide, which includes details regarding access to student eligibility data and payment processing, can be viewed online, printed or saved to your computer for future reference.

Helpful Hints

  • The GA system via GAP Access can be experienced best using the Google Chrome browser.
  • Adjust the screen resolution if needed.
  • For optimum printing of screens, set the printing option to landscape.