ISAC Student PortalISAC Communiqué
Volume 35, Number 7C
January 2026
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| ISAC Communiqué |
Welcome to the January 2026 ISAC Communiqué, which is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout January.
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.
Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy!
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 January 22, 2026.
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 at all
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 Tuesday, January 27th, 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: Become Certified in Financial Aid!
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 January 20, 2026.
You can still register for ISAC's Financial Aid Certification series taking place January 26 – January 30, 2026!
ISAC's Financial Aid Certification Series:
1/26/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
1/27/26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CT) |
1/28/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
1/29/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
1/30/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
For registration details and information about more upcoming FREE professional development webinars, visit the ISAC Professional Development Offerings page. More ISAC professional development events and webinars will be available this spring.
Please share these opportunities with colleagues and partners. Professional Development and Continuing Education hours are available.
For questions, contact [email protected].
Register Now! 2026 Success Network Conference: February 26, 2026
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on January 14, 2026.
You're invited to join us on February 26th for the 13th annual Illinois Education and Career Success Network (Success Network) Conference. This one-day event will return to Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois. Our keynote speaker Jeff Strohl, Ph.D., Director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, will explore the evolving role of education and credentials in workforce readiness, the emerging skill sets and training pathways needed to meet future demand, and how demographic shifts and automation will reshape job opportunities. Plus, choose from 23 breakout sessions to help communities advance postsecondary attainment. Explore the agenda.
The Success Network's annual conference is designed for a diverse group of stakeholders committed to enhancing equitable postsecondary attainment across Illinois. This includes leaders from secondary and postsecondary education, local and state government, community-based organizations, policymakers and advocates, grantmakers, employers, and workforce development. The conference serves as an engaging learning opportunity where attendees collaborate to share best practices, explore innovative strategies, and discuss systemic challenges affecting students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Participants can expect a dynamic environment that fosters networking, knowledge exchange, and actionable insights aimed at driving systemic change to support student success throughout Illinois.
The Illinois Education and Career Success Network (formerly the Illinois 60 by 2025 Network) is a growing network of communities in Illinois that are committed to advancing equitable postsecondary attainment. The Success Network was launched and is organized by: Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University (EdSystems), and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy! What are you waiting for?
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 January 8, 2026.
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 Tuesday, January 27th, 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 NOW! Free Professional Development 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 January 7, 2026.
We are excited to offer the following free webinars this spring. Please share these offerings with colleagues and partners! You can find full session details and register for the Spring Professional Development Series on our website.
Tuesday, January 13 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. (CT) |
Become Certified in Financial Aid!
Join us for our Spring 2026 Financial Aid Certification (FAC) series to support students through the financial aid process! The series includes a detailed breakdown of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the information required to complete the FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, and tips for students to better understand financial aid offers. Upon completing the training, participants will be equipped to assist students and families in the financial aid process from beginning to end.
This virtual series will consist of five sessions taking place from Monday, January 26 through Friday, January 30, 2026. Participants who attend all five sessions will receive a link to the post-series assessment for the opportunity to receive a financial aid certificate from ISAC. Participants who score an 80% or higher on the assessment will receive an ISAC-issued certificate 2-3 weeks after the training.
ISAC's Financial Aid Certification Series:
1/26/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
1/27/26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CT) |
1/28/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
1/29/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
1/30/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
Professional development hours and continuing education credits will be available for each session to those who attend and complete an evaluation.
For more information regarding future offerings, visit our Professional Development Offerings webpage.
December 2025 ISAC Communiqué
Sent on January 2, 2026.
The December 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 December 2025 ISAC Communiqué include:
- 2026-27 State Scholars Announced
(sent December 15, 2025) - November 2025 ISAC Communiqué
(sent December 1, 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.
