Submit 2023-24 ECACE Claims for Second and Third Terms

01/11/2024

Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org).

This message announces that the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship system (located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal) is available for the submission of 2023-24 second- and third-term payment requests (claims).

• ISAC is accepting 2023-24 ECACE Scholarship claims for the second (spring semester and winter quarter) and third (spring quarter) terms.
  • The second- and third-term ECACE priority claim deadline dates will be announced once they have been determined.
  • Colleges will be notified when ISAC begins accepting ECACE claims for the fourth (summer) term.
• Even though the priority claim deadline of December 29, 2023 has passed for the first (fall) term, ISAC is continuing to accept and pay first-term claims for the ECACE Scholarship Program.
• Colleges may submit claims for the first, second, and third terms by accessing the ECACE system.
  • Colleges are always encouraged to submit claims as soon as they are able to do so.
  • The timely submission of claims and cancellations/adjustments allows ISAC staff to monitor remaining funds and award other students, as applicable.
• By submitting a claim for the ECACE Scholarship Program, the institution is certifying that the student is enrolled and continues to meet all eligibility requirements for the program.
  • If not submitting a claim, the institution reports the reason for the student's ineligibility.
• Submitting claims is a two-step process, which involves generating the request (either individually or in a batch) and then submitting the request.
• Payment results are available in the ECACE system on a daily basis.
  • Colleges are encouraged to always review the Payment Results/Exceptions report, which is available the day after claims are processed.
• The disbursement of funds is processed by the State Comptroller's Office.
  • Refer to the State Comptroller's Website page, located within the Processes section of the Financial Aid Administrators area, for information on how to track payment.
  • Refer to the ECACE Payment area to view information regarding a report (available via the ECACE system) for tracking payment vouchers and warrants.
• Because Payment Offset and Reconciliation procedures apply to the ECACE Scholarship Program, refund checks should not be sent for cancellations/adjustments made throughout the award year.
  • Funds should only be returned to ISAC after a final reconciliation has been completed at the end of the regular school year.
• More information regarding payment functionality, including detailed instructions, is available at the following locations on ISAC's website:
  • ECACE Electronic Processing (including the ECACE User Guide)
  • ECACE Payment

Watch for Future Updates

Future program updates will be shared with colleges via ISAC's standard methods of communication, including the ECACE Program News page, the FAA Message Board, and this e-Messaging service.

You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups for FAAs.

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 isac.schoolservices@illinois.gov.