2024-25 MAP Start-up Implemented

04/05/2024

2024-25 Monetary Award Program (MAP) records – reflecting the start-up formula that was approved at the September 21, 2023 Commission meeting – are now available to access via the MAP system. Effective immediately, all 2024-25 Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) and Alternative Application Student Records received by ISAC through (including) Friday, March 29, 2024 are available with their accompanying eligibility status information.

2024-25 ISIRs and Alternative Application Student Records received by ISAC after March 29 and through (including) Monday, April 8, 2024 will be processed the evening of April 8, with results available for colleges to access via the MAP system the morning of Tuesday, April 9, 2024. At that time, daily processing of 2024-25 ISIR, Alternative Application, and eligibility status information will commence.

Processing Details

• Following the 2023-24 MAP recompute formula, the 2024-25 start-up formula:
  • uses 2021-22 reported tuition and fees;
  • uses the 2021-22 Pell Grant Payment Schedule;
  • uses a $5,200 living allowance; and,
  • has a maximum annual award amount of $8,400.
• As necessitated by FAFSA Simplification, the 2024-25 MAP start-up formula replaces "Expected Family Contribution (EFC)" with "Student Aid Index (SAI)" and includes clarification regarding how to handle negative SAIs.
  • MAP is mirroring the federal methodology that allows students with negative and zero SAIs to receive the same maximum Pell amount.
• The MAP system can be experienced best using the Google Chrome browser.
• The ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal, which includes the MAP system, is available each day between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. (CT).

More Information Available Online

• The MAP section within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area reflects the 2024-25 start-up formula.
  • Details regarding calculating a term award for both semester and quarter schools are also available.
  • The "2024-25 Hand Calculation Forms – Start-up" document will be available soon.
• 2024-25 MAP 160 Byte File Layout Specifications and 2024-25 Alternative Application Student Record School File Layout Specifications may be accessed via the Electronic Tools area of the e-Library for Partners.
• The MAP Electronic Processing area provides detailed information about the MAP system.
  • The "Eligibility" chapter of the MAP User Guide soon will be updated to reflect the 2024-25 awarding cycle.
• Be sure to regularly visit the FAA Message Board and the MAP Program News page for new updates, and watch for future e-Messages from ISAC.

Notification to Applicants

• Colleges are required to announce MAP awards to eligible students enrolled at their institutions.
  • Refer to the MAP Award Announcements page for details regarding college requirements, as well as a sample of the required 2024-25 school-issued award notification language.

Reminders

• Although decreasing application volume and higher appropriations have resulted in fewer awards left in suspense status in recent years, colleges should still encourage students to submit the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as soon as possible.
• Encourage your students to visit the ISAC Student Portal to access these helpful resources:
  • MAP Paid Credit Hours Display (located in the Program Applications & Status Checks area) – MAP grant recipients may use this option to track the number of MAP Paid Credit Hours they have remaining, and
  • Student Resources Beyond Financial Aid (located in the Resources area) – students can find resources for food (including listings of Illinois food pantries on or near college campuses, as well as across the state), housing, medical care, child and dependent care assistance and consideration because of special circumstances.

Watch for Future Updates

Additional updates regarding the 2024-25 MAP processing cycle – including confirmation that daily processing has commenced – will be provided via ISAC's usual means of communication: the FAA Message Board; the MAP Program News area; and/or, 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.