ISAC Student PortalUpcoming Important Dates from ISAC
08/27/2024
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to make you aware of the following information, which may be of interest to you and/or your college-bound students.
Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at ISAC's website (isac.org).
You may either scroll through the remainder of this message, or click on the appropriate link(s) to go directly to a specific section:
2025-26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)
2024-25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
By December 1: Anticipated 2025-25 FAFSA® Availability
In early August, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the anticipated schedule for the launch of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
- Starting on October 1, 2024 (which is in line with the timeframe in recent years prior to 2024-25, when availability of the application was delayed due to implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act), ED plans to release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and institutions.
- The application is expected to be available to all students on or before December 1, 2024.
The e-Library's 2025-26 FAFSA Completion area will be updated as details are released regarding the 2025-26 federal process for requesting financial aid.
College-bound students and their families, who may be seeking information, can be directed to the Financial Aid: Completing the FAFSA area of ISAC's website – which will also be updated as information becomes available – and the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov).
FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, as well as several other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance.
By June 30, 2025: High School Juniors Take College Assessment Exams for 2026-27 State Scholar Consideration
Eligibility for the State Scholar Program is based, in part, on a student's highest qualifying ACT or SAT score. For students who are currently (or will soon be) high school juniors, only exams taken between August 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 qualify for consideration in the State Scholar announcements that will be made during their senior year (i.e., high school juniors, who will be college freshmen during the 2026-27 academic year, will be named Scholars during the fall of 2025).
High school juniors who are potential candidates will need to take one of the accepted exams during the specified timeframe to be considered for State Scholar designation, even though Illinois' public institutions are now prohibited from requiring the submission of student test scores as part of the admissions process.
Further details are provided for students at the State Scholar Program page of our website.
State Scholar Processing Update
Submit Sixth Semester Data
A July 29 e-Message announces that sixth semester data, which will be used to determine State Scholar designation for Illinois students who will be college freshmen during the 2025-26 academic year, is being accepted via the State Scholar component of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal.
The option to submit sixth semester data in batches (via Excel spreadsheets) is available now, and the online process is anticipated for early- to mid-September.
The early announcement option is again being offered this processing cycle.
GAP Access Reminders
- High schools choosing to participate in the State Scholar Program process must be registered to utilize GAP Access.
- Information regarding how to register for GAP Access is provided via the Required Sixth Semester Data page within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section.
- Each time a user logs in to the GAP Access portal, the two-factor authentication process requires the use of a one-time verification code – which is obtained through an application – in conjunction with a user ID and password.
- Please report any changes in your school's administration (i.e., new principal) to ISAC.
- In keeping with the goal of securing all confidential data, the principal of each high school is designated as that school's GAP Access Primary Administrator.
- While we understand principals are not usually involved in the day to day processes, we do require the school principal to register for their own GAP Access account.
Reminder Regarding Certificates of Achievement
Beginning with the announcement of 2025-26 State Scholars, ISAC no longer prints Certificates of Achievement – all high schools need to print Certificates of Achievement for their State Scholars.
Watch for additional updates – including availability of the online option to provide/review individual records, and scheduling of the first round of early announcements – via the standard communication methods (i.e., the Counselor Message Board, the State Scholar Program News section, and ISAC's e-Messaging service). Processing updates will also be communicated via a yellow highlighted box that appears on the "State Scholar Program: Search By School: Results" screen.
2024-25 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
Although ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2024-25 MAP grants (for all students whose initial 2024-25 FAFSA is received by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application is received by ISAC, on or after August 21, 2024), these 2024-25 applications remain available online. Please inform any 2024 high school graduates with whom you may be in contact that – if not already done – an application should be completed and submitted as soon as possible by students who will be attending college between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance. The suspension of 2024-25 MAP award announcements does not impact any other financial aid programs.
September 19: Next Commission Meeting
The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Further details, including a listing of tentative agenda items, will be available prior to the meeting via the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area.
Visit the Commission Meeting Schedule page for information regarding all meetings scheduled in 2024.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, September 2 – Labor Day
- Monday, October 14 – Columbus Day
- Tuesday, November 5 – General Election Day
- Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 29 – Day after Thanksgiving
- Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas
- Wednesday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
For Assistance
Access the Counselors area anytime, or send an e-mail message to ISAC's School Services Department. With the exception of days when ISAC staff members are unavailable, we will review and respond to messages during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CT).
You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups for Counselors.
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 [email protected].
