JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

ISAC Communiqué

Volume 32, Number 11C
May 2023

Messages sent to: Multiple Subscription Groups
  ISAC Communiqué

Welcome to the May 2023 ISAC Communiqué, which is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout May.

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 School Services at 866.247.2172 or at ISAC.schoolservices@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.


MULTIPLE SUBSCRIPTION GROUPS


Join us for Free Events in June!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on May 23, 2023.

We are excited to share the free events regarding FAFSA Simplification happening in June for school counselors, college and career staff, and others who support students through the financial aid process. For more information and to register, visit the webinars page!

Professional Development and Continuing Education credits are available. For questions on FAFSA simplification, contact isac.outreachtraining@illinois.gov.

FAFSA Simplification: What We Know

The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid® (FAFSA) will experience significant changes this year, which will impact students and families across the state of Illinois. Join us on Tuesday, June 6, from 10-11 a.m. (CT) to learn about the upcoming changes on:

  • reporting tax information for students and parents,
  • reporting parental information,
  • how to complete the application, and more!

The Student Aid Index (SAI)

Join us on Tuesday, June 20, from 10-10:30 a.m. (CT) for our session on the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA. During this session we will discuss what we know so far regarding the switch from the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the SAI, the main components of the new calculation, as well as changes to the Federal Methodology of the FAFSA.


Now Available: Presentations and Recordings from the 2023 Virtual PaCE Symposium!
Sent to  Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on May 17, 2023.

Illinois PaCE Symposium

We want to thank everyone who joined us, whether in-person or virtually, for the 2023 Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Symposium! We are happy to share the presentations and the recordings are now available on the Illinois PaCE Symposium page.

The PaCE Symposium is a one-day symposium for professionals to share best practices on community involvement in the PaCE Framework and discuss how schools and districts are advancing postsecondary and career readiness efforts using the Illinois PaCE Framework.

We look forward to everyone joining us next year to learn more about how you can help your school, districts, and community strengthen their college and career readiness efforts!

For questions about the PaCE Symposium, contact isac.pace@illinois.gov.


Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on May 11, 2023.

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:

2024-25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025)

2023-24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024)

General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)

2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR

By End of December 2023: 2024-25 FAFSA® Available

As part of implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act, the 2024-25 federal process for requesting financial assistance is anticipated to reflect the changes outlined below. Because these changes will take time to properly implement, the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is expected to be available in December 2023 (rather than in October). ISAC anticipates availability of the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid for the 2024-25 academic year to coincide with the launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA.

With the 2024-25 FAFSA:

  • up to 20 different colleges can be listed on the online FAFSA and have information sent to them (in prior years, only ten colleges could be listed);
  • due to a change in the methodology used to determine aid, a Student Aid Index (SAI) – rather than an expected family contribution (EFC) – is used to measure the student's (and, if applicable, the family's) ability to pay for college;
  • the new need analysis formula no longer factors the number of family members attending college into the calculation;
  • separate criteria to determine eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant Program, linking eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level, make program funds available to more students; and,
  • revisions to several of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid are required, including a new interface to directly receive federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The e-Library's 2024-25 FAFSA Completion area is updated on a regular basis as details are released regarding the 2024-25 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 regularly updated as new information becomes available – and the Federal Student Aid studentaid.gov website.

May 16: FAFSA Simplification Webinar

Join us for a "FAFSA Simplification: What We Know" webinar, being offered on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 1-2 p.m. (CT). Hear what is changing via the Consolidated Appropriations Act as ISAC gives a high-level review of the Student Aid Index (SAI), parental information, and the new FSA ID process. Further details, including access to online registration, are provided in a May 9 e-Message.

2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR

Prepare for Upcoming State Scholar Processing Cycle

High schools will be notified via the usual communication methods (the State Scholar Program News area, the Counselor Message Board, and this e-Messaging service) once sixth semester data – which will be used to determine State Scholar eligibility for high school juniors who will be college freshmen during the 2024-25 academic year, and will be named Scholars during the fall of 2023 – is being accepted.

As you begin preparing for the upcoming State Scholar processing cycle, remember that sixth semester data is accepted only via the State Scholar component of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs Access (GAP Access) portal. Information regarding how to register for GAP Access is provided via the Required Sixth Semester Data page within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section.

School Contact Information

Please notify ISAC of any changes in your school's administration (i.e., new principal).

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.

By June 30: High School Juniors Take College Assessment Exams for State Scholar Consideration

Eligibility for the State Scholar Program 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 now prohibited from requiring the submission of student test scores as part of the admissions process.

For current high school juniors, only exams taken between August 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 qualify for consideration in the State Scholar announcements that will be made during their senior year (in the fall of 2023). Further details are provided for students at the State Scholar Program page of our website.

2023-24 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available

The 2023-24 FAFSA remains available online, and – if not already done – should be completed and submitted as soon as possible by students who will be attending college between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for several forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance, including the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.

In addition, the 2023-24 Alternative Application is also available (in English and Spanish). Qualifying undocumented students may file the Alternative Application – which is patterned after the FAFSA – to apply for the MAP grant. Further details are provided at ISAC's Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act page.

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. ISAC's Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative is a resource that can help high schools monitor their students' compliance with this mandate.

The Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative matches student lists of participating high schools against FAFSA and Alternative Application records. New 2023-24 match data is available on a daily basis.

Further details – including specific information for public high schools and private high schools, details regarding an "opt-out" box allowing high schools to indicate that the financial aid application mandate waiver provision has been exercised, access to the current user guide, and information on how to participate in the Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative – are provided in a November 14 e-Message.

MTI Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted

Make sure your college-bound seniors are aware that the 2023-24 application for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program continues to be accepted, even though the March 31, 2023 priority consideration date has passed. Complete applications – including the 2023-24 FAFSA (or Alternative Application, if applicable) – received after this date will continue to be considered for the MTI Scholarship Program for as long as funding remains after all timely complete applicants have been awarded. Encourage all minority students and qualified bilingual minority applicants who meet the program's eligibility requirements to complete and submit their applications as soon as possible.

GENERAL INFORMATION

First Generation Scholars Network

Encourage your graduating seniors who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree to join the First Generation Scholars Network to get support and resources from ISAC, their peers, and colleges across the state. Students heading to their first year of college this fall will find events and programs that provide tools, resources, mentoring, and connections that can help make the transition easier.

Campus Partnerships

ISAC and our First Generation Scholars Network mentors are available to work with colleges and universities to support existing campus programming for first generation college students and to collaborate to develop new student supports. Contact ISAC.FirstGen@illinois.gov to start the conversation on ways ISAC can partner with your campus for student success.

Further details are provided in a March 27 e-Message.

Online Resource Helps Students Find Leads for Summer Employment/Internships

Counselors are urged to promote the "Internship and Summer Jobs" online resource, which may be accessed via the Toolbox area of the ISAC Student Portal, to their students who may be seeking summer employment or internships.

Outreach Resources

Information About the ISACorps and outreach programs are available on our website.

Find Your ISACorps Member

In the Outreach Resources section, you will find additional information on how we can assist you with your school's efforts to provide college-bound students with information about financial aid.

e-Messaging Reminder

ISAC's e-Messaging service is our primary means of communication with our high school partners. Please share this information with any colleagues who may not yet be registered to receive ISAC's e-Messages.

May 11: Virtual ISAC PaCE Symposium

ISAC will host a virtual Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Symposium, starting at 9 a.m. (CT) on Thursday, May 11, 2023. We hope those who were unable to join us for April's in-person symposium can participate virtually to learn about the latest updates regarding the Illinois PaCE Framework. Further details – including access to registration for the event – are provided in an April 25 e-Message.

June 22: Next Commission Meeting

The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023. 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 2023.

July 13: 2023 College Changes Everything® Conference

Register today for the annual College Changes Everything® conference – DEIA: The Work We Need to Do – which will be an in-person event taking place on July 13, 2023, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. Further details are provided at the College Changes Everything conference website, as well as in a May 9 e-Message.

Holiday Schedules

ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:

  • Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day
  • Monday, June 19 – Juneteenth
  • Tuesday, July 4 – Independence 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).


Invitation to 2023 CCE Conference
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on May 9, 2023.

2023 College Changes Everything Conference

Registration Now Open!

Register for the 2023 CCE Conference
July 13, 2023 – Tinley Park Convention Center

You're invited to join other equity designers as we come together at the 2023 College Changes Everything® (CCE) conferenceDEIA: The Work We Need to Do.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) must consist of more than just policies, edicts and committees tacked onto the side of our organizations. Each of us and each of our organizations are a part of the larger educational system that impacts our students, their careers, and their entire life journey. DEIA work must take a holistic approach and be ingrained in the everyday work we do and in us who are doing the work. While we won't change everything that needs to be changed in the system in one day, we can in one day have an impact on ourselves and scaffold collaboration with others. We make up the system, and change starts with us. Each of us has a perspective and a power to make positive change.

At the conference we will leverage the knowledge, expertise and personal experiences each attendee brings with them to examine how we bring more equity to Illinois students and families. Together we can focus on the DEIA issues needing attention and identify when and how they can be addressed. Please RSVP by registering online. Registration is $40.00, and only credit card payments are accepted. Space is limited and fills quickly. Please share this e-Message with your colleagues and others in your network so they can register, too. More information about the conference is available on the conference website.

Who Should Attend

The annual conference is the state's preeminent college access and success and career readiness event and brings together stakeholders to help Illinois reach its Goal 2025 – to increase the proportion of adults in Illinois with high-quality degrees and postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025. Since the first CCE conference, equity has been an underlying tenet of the annual convening as it brings together caring professionals who want to ensure all students have opportunities for college access and success and are career ready. A key strength of the conference is in bringing together a diverse audience from across the state to focus on educational opportunity and student success: college access practitioners; high school leaders, counselors, and case managers; college and university leaders and administrators; employers and workforce development professionals; and policymakers and elected officials interested in higher education and career readiness. The conference also serves as an opportunity for stakeholders to improve their practice of collaboration and collective leadership as we work toward the state's goal. We hope you will attend the conference as we stand together as a group of like-minded professionals committed to improving outcomes for all learners.

Sessions

Breakout interest sessions provide timely information and engage the audience in thoughtful discussions on the serious issues we face in reaching the state goal, and are presented by state and national experts and practitioners. The full agenda will be provided later this spring. Topics will include: college readiness; navigating the college-going process; supporting special student populations; student support services; career readiness; changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), and more.

Tinley Park Convention Center and Hotel

The Tinley Park Convention Center is located at 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL, and is connected to the EVEN Hotel Chicago-Tinley Park Convention Center. We have secured a conference hotel rate of $159.00 before tax and fee charges. You can book a reservation by phone at 708-444-1100 and mention "ISAC Conference" to get the rate, or you can book online here and use Group Code: ISA. The conference rate is available for reservations made by June 21, 2023.

2023 College Changes Everything Conference Planning Committee

  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education
  • Illinois Community College Board
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Illinois State Board of Education
  • Illinois College Access Network
  • Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
  • Advance Illinois
  • Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
  • ACT Now
  • Women Employed

The College Changes Everything® Conference is sponsored
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Helping Illinois reach its Goal 2025: to increase the proportion
of adults in Illinois with high-quality college degrees and
postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025

CCE


Join Us for Free Events this Month!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on May 9, 2023.

We are excited to share the free events happening this month for school counselors, college and career staff, and others who support students through the college-going process.

Virtual PaCE Symposium

The virtual Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Symposium is this Thursday, May 11, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (CT)! Session topics will include:

  • Updates to the Illinois PaCE Framework for High Schools
  • Accessing DCFS Postsecondary Education Supports
  • The Importance of Identifying a Purpose Pathway, and more!

For more information and to register, visit the PaCE Symposium page. For questions about the PaCE Symposium, contact isac.pace@illinois.gov.

FAFSA Simplification Webinar

The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid® (FAFSA) will experience significant changes this year, which will impact students and families across the state of Illinois. Join us on Tuesday, May 16 from 1-2 p.m. (CT) to learn about the upcoming changes on:

  • Reporting tax information for students and parents
  • Reporting parental information
  • How to complete the application, and more!

For more information and to register, visit the webinars page. For questions on FAFSA simplification, contact isac.outreachtraining@illinois.gov.


Don't Forget to Register for the Virtual PaCE Symposium!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on May 4, 2023.

Illinois PaCE Symposium

Don't forget to register for ISAC's virtual PaCE Symposium on Thursday, May 11, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The virtual symposium will include an encore of several presentations given during the in-person symposium, including:

  • Leveraging the Community to Support PaCE Work
  • Hands-On Work and Career Readiness Experience
  • The Importance of Identifying a Purpose Pathway and more!

For registration and details, visit the PaCE Symposium page. A copy of each presentation and recording will be made available on the PaCE Symposium page 1 to 2 weeks after the event.

For questions about the PaCE Symposium, contact ISAC's PaCE Symposium Planning Team at isac.pace@illinois.gov.

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ISAC COMMUNIQUÉ


April 2023 ISAC Communiqué
Sent on May 1, 2023

The April 2023 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 April 2023 ISAC Communiqué include:

  • Join Us Virtually for the 2023 PaCE Symposium!
    (sent April 25, 2023)
  • Last Chance to Register for the Illinois PaCE Symposium!
    (sent April 12, 2023)
  • One Week Left to Register for the Illinois PaCE Symposium!
    (sent April 6, 2023)
  • March 2023 ISAC Communiqué
    (sent April 3, 2023)

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.

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