ISAC Student PortalISAC Communiqué
Volume 35, Number 4C
October 2025
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| ISAC Communiqué |
Welcome to the October 2025 ISAC Communiqué, which is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout October.
The articles in this electronic Communiqué have been organized according to the Counselor subscription groups to which the messages were distributed.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this electronic Communiqué can be directed to Partner Services by calling 866.247.2172 or sending an email message to [email protected]. 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.
Reminder: FREE ISAC Webinars!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on October 27, 2025.
You can still register for ISAC’s professional development webinars! Please share these opportunities with colleagues and partners. Professional Development and Continuing Education hours are available.
For registration details and more information, visit the Upcoming Professional Development Offerings page
For questions, contact [email protected].
Reminder: Make the Switch to Electronic Transcripts!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, and Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants on October 16, 2025.
Don't forget to register and join ISAC for a webinar to hear about this great opportunity!
The ISAC Transcript Exchange is available at no cost
Illinois public and private high schools!
The ISAC Transcript Exchange, powered by Parchment, provides the opportunity for high school students to request their transcripts and other credentials be sent electronically to the college(s) of their choice, the Common App, and other organizations requesting transcripts (e.g., scholarship providers and third-party verifications).
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is highlighting the importance of every high school in Illinois developing and submitting a “school profile” as part of a new initiative from the state of Illinois aimed at helping Illinois students apply to colleges and universities. Research shows detailed information in a profile can help admission officers more fairly evaluate students’ accomplishments, thus promoting more equitable admission outcomes. You can learn more about this initiative and access the ISBE School Profile Toolkit on ISBE’S website.
ISAC can assist in having your school profiles submitted to colleges and universities directly through the ISAC Transcript Exchange.
The ISAC Transcript Exchange - Parchment Preview
Join us on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. (CT) to learn about the ISAC Transcript Exchange, how to navigate the student and administrator dashboards, and gain efficiencies by switching from paper to electronic transcripts. Attendees will hear directly from a school professional on how the ISAC Transcript Exchange has made a difference at their school and for their students.
To register, visit the Professional Development Offerings page.
For questions on ISAC's Transcript Exchange, contact [email protected].
Note: ISAC will not be offering Continuing Education or Professional Development hours for this webinar.
Reminder: Registration Closes Soon
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on October 14, 2025.
Dear Colleagues,
Reminder: Registration closes soon! The deadline to register for ISAC's upcoming author events, presented in partnership with the Family Action Network (FAN), is Friday, October 17th. Space is limited, and separate registration is required for each event.
Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
Dealing With Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want
Date & Time: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will be in conversation with Teresa Ramos, Secretary, Illinois Department of Early Childhood, for an engaging discussion about how understanding and using emotions can strengthen personal decision-making and professional guidance. These insights are especially valuable for those supporting students through key life and educational choices.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dealing With Feeling will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Marc Brackett
Jeff Selingo
Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You
Date & Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Gain insights into navigating the evolving landscape of college options, essential for those supporting students as they make meaningful educational choices. Jeff Selingo, a renowned higher education journalist and best-selling author, will be in conversation with Phil Hale, VP for Civic Engagement & Government Affairs, Loyola University Chicago.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dream School will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Jeff Selingo
Professional Development and Continuing Education Hours are available for both events.
Parking and Venue Instructions:
- Parking is available on the north and east sides of the building. You may park anywhere, not only in Visitor Parking spots.
- Enter through the east entrance.
- This is a state government building; all visitors must present valid picture identification.
- Take the elevator to the 4th floor. An ISAC staff member will direct you to the event.
We look forward to welcoming you to one, or both, of these inspiring conversations!
Make the Switch to Electronic Transcripts!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, and Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants on October 2, 2025.
The ISAC Transcript Exchange is available and free to all
Illinois public and private high schools!
Join ISAC for a webinar to hear about this great opportunity!
The ISAC Transcript Exchange, powered by Parchment, provides the opportunity for high school students to request their transcripts and other credentials be sent electronically to the college(s) of their choice, the Common App, and other organizations requesting transcripts (e.g., scholarship providers and third-party verifications).
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is highlighting the importance of every high school in Illinois developing and submitting a “school profile” as part of a new initiative from the state of Illinois aimed at helping Illinois students apply to colleges and universities. Research shows detailed information in a profile can help admission officers more fairly evaluate students’ accomplishments, thus promoting more equitable admission outcomes. You can learn more about this initiative and access the ISBE School Profile Toolkit on ISBE’S website.
ISAC can assist in having your school profiles submitted to colleges and universities directly through the ISAC Transcript Exchange.
The ISAC Transcript Exchange - Parchment Preview
Join us on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. (CT) to learn about the ISAC Transcript Exchange, how to navigate the student and administrator dashboards, and gain efficiencies by switching from paper to electronic transcripts. Attendees will hear directly from a school professional on how the ISAC Transcript Exchange has made a difference at their school and for their students.
To register, visit the Professional Development Offerings page
For questions on ISAC's Transcript Exchange, contact [email protected].
Note: ISAC will not be offering Continuing Education or Professional Development hours for this webinar.
Register for Upcoming Book Discussions
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on October 2, 2025.
Dear Colleagues,
In partnership with the Family Action Network (FAN), ISAC is excited to host two upcoming book discussions at our Deerfield office. Each event will feature a conversation with a nationally recognized author and thought leader in education. Please note that registration is required for each event separately, and space is limited.
Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
Dealing With Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want
Date & Time: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will be in conversation with Teresa Ramos, Secretary, Illinois Department of Early Childhood, for an engaging discussion about how understanding and using emotions can strengthen personal decision-making and professional guidance. These insights are especially valuable for those supporting students through key life and educational choices.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dealing With Feeling will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Marc Brackett
Jeff Selingo
Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You
Date & Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Gain insights into navigating the evolving landscape of college options, essential for those supporting students as they make meaningful educational choices. Jeff Selingo, a renowned higher education journalist and best-selling author, will be in conversation with Phil Hale, VP for Civic Engagement & Government Affairs, Loyola University Chicago.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dream School will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Jeff Selingo
Professional Development and Continuing Education Hours are available for both events.
Parking and Venue Instructions:
- Parking is available on the north and east sides of the building. You may park anywhere, not only in Visitor Parking spots.
- Enter through the east entrance.
- This is a state government building; all visitors must present valid picture identification.
- Take the elevator to the 4th floor. An ISAC staff member will direct you to the event.
We look forward to welcoming you to one, or both, of these inspiring conversations!
2026-27 FAFSA, Alternative Application, and Important Dates
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on October 1, 2025.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to share information which may be helpful to you and/or your college-bound students.
Links in this message go to ISAC's website (isac.org) unless otherwise noted.
You may scroll through this message, or click a link to go to a specific section:
2027-28 (July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028)
2026-27 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
By June 30, 2026: High School Juniors Take College Assessment Exams for State Scholar Consideration
Eligibility for the State Scholar Program (SSP) is based, in part, on a student's highest qualifying ACT or SAT score. High school juniors who are potential candidates 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 prohibited from requiring the submission of student test scores as part of the admissions process.
For students who are high school juniors during the 2025-26 school year, only exams taken between August 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 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 2027-28 academic year, will be named Scholars during the fall of 2026). Further details are provided for students at the State Scholar Program page within the Students & Parents area.
2026-27 FAFSA and Alternative Application
The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) cycle – including availability of the online FAFSA for all students – has opened, and the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) is transmitting 2026-27 FAFSA results to colleges. Students (and any contributors, if applicable) who successfully submitted the 2026-27 FAFSA form during the fall 2025 beta testing period do not need to resubmit it.
Visit the Applying for Financial Aid section of the e-Library for information about the 2026-27 application cycle.
The 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) is also available (in English and Spanish). Further details are provided at ISAC's Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act page.
The Financial Aid Planning area has resources to help college-bound students complete the financial aid process.
Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative
All Illinois public high school students are required to complete either the FAFSA or the Alternative Application as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. See ISAC's Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative page for more information.
Students and/or parents who choose to not complete either the FAFSA or the Alternative Application may complete the Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form. The 2025-26 Nonparticipation Form (used to opt-out of the 2026-27 applications) can be submitted online via the Program Applications & Status Checks page of the ISAC Student Portal. A Student Portal account is required to complete and sign the Nonparticipation Form.
MAP Processing Cycle
At its September 18, 2025 meeting, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission approved a start-up formula for 2026-27 academic year Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants. The formula includes the same 4% reduction that was in place for 2025-26 MAP awards, resulting in an effective maximum award of $8,064. Additional details regarding the formula are provided in a September 19, 2025 "2026-27 MAP Start-up Formula Approved" e-Message.
State Scholar Processing Update (determining 2026-27 State Scholars)
Submit sixth semester data as soon as possible to ensure your students are included when 2026-27 State Scholars are named. The final date through which data will be accepted is Friday, October 31, 2025.
Data may be submitted in batches (via Excel spreadsheets) or via the online process.
New for the 2026-27 State Scholar processing cycle, an "Illinois Resident" field appears on the SSP Data Exchange Layout and a corresponding column appears on the School List screen in the SSP system. Complete the field with a "Y" or "N" response.
Early announcements are anticipated to begin in mid-October.
Further information is provided in an August 14, 2025 "State Scholar Processing Has Begun" e-Message and a September 24, 2025 "Processing Update for 2026-27 State Scholars" e-Message. Watch the Counselor Message Board, the State Scholar Program News section, and ISAC's e-Messaging service for future updates. Processing updates will also be communicated via a yellow highlighted box that appears on the "State Scholar Program: Search By School: Results" screen.
One Click College Admit Opt-in Remains Available for Students
One Click College Admit – an initiative of the State of Illinois – is the state's free, quick, and stress-free direct admissions program into most state public universities and all community colleges.
Participating students pay no application fees and do not need to submit essays or letters of recommendation for general admission to these state universities or their local community college – the only requirement to be considered for admission to most of the state's universities is meeting the university's minimum grade point average (GPA).
Interested students can visit the One Click College Admit site (https://oneclickadmit.org/) for more information and to opt in to participate. Please note, students who are under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian complete and sign the consent and release form.
Professional Development Opportunities
Be sure to attend our free professional development events that are taking place throughout the fall. Choose from several in-person and virtual (webinar) options. Visit the Upcoming Professional Development Offerings page for specific details, including topics, dates, and registration. Send questions to [email protected].
December 4: Next Commission Meeting
The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, December 4, 2025. 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.
The Commission Meeting Schedule page will soon be updated with information regarding all meetings scheduled in 2026.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, October 13 – Columbus Day
- Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 28 – Day after Thanksgiving
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas
- Thursday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
Processing Schedules
The SSP system remains available on holidays during regularly-scheduled hours.
Click on the following link to access holiday processing schedules for State Scholar records.
For Assistance
Access the Counselors area anytime, or send an email message to Partner Services at [email protected]. We will review and respond to messages during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CT).
September 2025 ISAC Communiqué
Sent on October 1, 2025.
The September 2025 edition of the ISAC Communiqué is now available for your review, and may be accessed via the Partner e-Messages & Newsletters section of the e-Library for Partners at isac.org. This electronic version of ISAC's newsletter is a compilation of information provided to Counselor partners via ISAC's e-Messaging service over the past month.
Topics covered in the September 2025 ISAC Communiqué include:
- Processing Update for 2026-27 State Scholars (Impacting High School Graduating Class of 2026)
(sent September 24, 2025) - Reminder: Register Now for ISAC's In-Person Trainings!
(sent September 22, 2025) - 2026-27 MAP Start-up Formula Approved
(sent September 19, 2025) - Commission Meeting Thursday, September 18
(sent September 15, 2025) - FREE Professional Development Webinars This Fall!
(sent September 9, 2025) - Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
(sent September 3, 2025) - Register for ISAC's In-Person Trainings!
(sent September 3, 2025) - August 2025 ISAC Communiqué
(sent September 2, 2025)
Encourage Your Colleagues to Sign Up for e-Messaging
ISAC's e-Messaging service is our primary means of communicating information to Counselor partners.
Encourage your colleagues who have not done so to subscribe through the Counselors e-Messaging sign-up page at isac.org today, so that they won't miss future announcements or updates from ISAC.
