Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC

08/27/2024

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 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:

2025-26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)

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)

2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR

By December 1: Anticipated 2025-25 FAFSA^® Availability

In an August 7, 2024 electronic announcement, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) shared the anticipated schedule for the launch of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®).

Starting on October 1, 2024 (which is in line with the timeframe in recent years prior to 2024-25, when availability of the application was delayed due to implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act), ED plans to release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and institutions.
The application is expected to be available to all students on or before December 1, 2024.

The e-Library's 2025-26 FAFSA Completion area will be updated as details are released regarding the 2025-26 federal process for requesting financial aid.

Students and families seeking information can be directed to the Financial Aid: Completing the FAFSA area of ISAC's website – which will also be updated as information becomes available – and the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov).

FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, as well as several other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance.

2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR

Suspension of MAP Award Announcements

An August 15 e-Message announces that ISAC is suspending the announcement of 2024-25 MAP grants for applicants whose initial 2024-25 FAFSA is received by the FAFSA Processing System (FPS), or whose initial Alternative Application is received by ISAC, on or after August 21, 2024. MAP-eligible students who complete an application on or after August 21, 2024 will be put on a waiting list for MAP funding and, if ISAC were to determine that additional grants could be offered, they would be announced based on the order in which the applications were received.

ISAC anticipates that the 2024-25 MAP payment cycle will begin by the end of August 2024, allowing first-term payment requests (i.e., claims) to be submitted.

Submit ECACE Certifications

An August 26 e-Message announces that ISAC is accepting certification data for the 2024-25 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program. Colleges may access the "Certification List: View" screen within the ECACE system to certify eligibility for 2024-25 ECACE Scholarships. A Certification record is created in the ECACE system after ISAC determines that the ECACE online application process has been completed (this includes: the ECACE application; the corresponding year's FAFSA or, if applicable, the Alternative Application; and, any required documentation) and the applicant meets all initial eligibility requirements (i.e., requirements other than those that must be verified by the college). Only records that need to be certified display on the "Certification List: View" screen.

Colleges also may view a listing of ECACE records in the ECACE system by selecting the Student tab to display the "Student List Eligibility: View" screen. Records for applicants who listed the institution on their applications and whose applications have been reviewed by ISAC staff for completeness will be included.

Further details are provided on the ECACE Certification page, as well as in the ECACE User Guide.

By End of August: iGROW Tech Scholarship Program Application Available

The application for the 2024-25 Illinois Graduate and Retain our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program is anticipated to be available by the end of August. When available, the application can be completed and submitted online by applicants via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. The priority application consideration date for the 2024-25 academic year is November 30, 2024.

September 30: Summer-Term Deadline to Report Benefit Usage Data for IVG

An August 13 e-Message announces that ISAC is accepting summer-term benefit usage data for the 2024-25 Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program.

IVG data for the summer term is due on or before Monday, September 30, 2024.

IVG benefit usage data is submitted to ISAC by colleges via the benefit usage functionality within the IVG system, allowing colleges to report enrollment hours and dollar amounts for initial, in-district and out-of-district benefit usage by students, as well as adjustments to previously-submitted data. Even though ISAC may not be able to fully reimburse institutions for 2024-25 IVG awards, reporting of benefits used must still take place so that usage can be accurately reflected on students' accounts.

September 30: Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program Application Priority Consideration Date

The application for the 2024-25 Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program is available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. The priority application consideration date for the 2024-25 academic year is September 30, 2024. Complete applications submitted after that date will be considered only if available funding remains after all timely complete applicants have been awarded.

December 31: Fall-Term Deadline to Report Benefit Usage Data for IVG and ING Grant

An August 13 e-Message announces that ISAC is accepting fall-term benefit usage data for the 2024-25 IVG and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant programs.

Deadline dates are as follows:

IVG data for the fall term is due on or before Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
ING Grant data for the fall term is due on or before Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Benefit usage data for the IVG and ING Grant programs is submitted to ISAC by colleges via the benefit usage functionality within each program's system, allowing colleges to report enrollment hours and dollar amounts for initial, in-district and out-of-district benefit usage by students, as well as adjustments to previously-submitted data. Even though ISAC may not be able to fully reimburse institutions for 2024-25 IVG or ING Grant awards, reporting of benefits used must still take place so that usage can be accurately reflected on students' accounts.

Now Available: Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Application

The application for the 2024-25 Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program is available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. Students may use the 2024-25 application to apply for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 terms. The application priority consideration date for full-year and fall-only awards is October 1, 2024.

Now Available: Grant Programs for Dependents of Police/Fire/Correctional Officers Application

The application for the 2024-25 Grant Programs for Dependents of Police, Fire, and Correctional Officers is available for students to access via the Applications page of the Students & Parents area. Students may use the 2024-25 application to apply for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 terms. The application priority consideration date for full-year and fall-only awards is October 1, 2024.

Now Available: Grant Program for Exonerees Application

The application for the 2024-25 Grant Program for Exonerees is available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. Students may use the 2024-25 application to apply for the fall 2024 and spring 2025 terms (the grant is not available for summer terms). Applications are processed in date-received order (i.e., "first come, first served"). Because program funds are limited, students meeting the program's eligibility requirements should be encouraged to complete and submit the application as soon as possible.

Now Available: ING Grant Application and Eligibility Data

The interactive application for the 2024-25 ING Grant Program is available for students to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal.

2024-25 ING Grant eligibility data is available for colleges to access via the ING Grant system. Specific details regarding the ING Grant system, including important reminders and guidelines, are provided at the ING Grant Electronic Processing page.

Continue Certifying Eligibility for MTI Scholarships Throughout the Year

Colleges are encouraged to continue certifying eligibility for 2024-25 Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholars on a daily basis.

Further details are provided via the Certification Procedures for MTI page, the MTI User Guide, and an August 5 e-Message.

MTI Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted

The 2024-25 MTI Scholarship Program application continues to be accepted, even though the March 31, 2024 priority consideration date has passed. Complete applications – including the 2024-25 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. All minority students and qualified bilingual minority applicants who meet the program's eligibility requirements should be encouraged to complete and submit their applications as soon as possible.

2024-25 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available

Although ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2024-25 MAP grants (for all students whose initial 2024-25 FAFSA is received by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application is received by ISAC, on or after August 21, 2024), these 2024-25 applications remain available online. Please inform your students that – if not already done – an application should be completed and submitted as soon as possible by students who will be attending college between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance. The suspension of 2024-25 MAP award announcements does not impact any other financial aid programs.

2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR

September 30: Outstanding Amounts Due

Notifications detailing the outstanding amount that must be refunded to ISAC for the 2023-24 programs listed below were e-mailed to financial aid directors in early August. Review the information in the notification and return the appropriate amount – along with a completed Gift Assistance Programs Refund Check Form – no later than September 30, 2024.

Details about returning funds to ISAC and the payment offset and reconciliation process are provided in the Refunds and Unpaid Claims section of the Processes area.

GENERAL INFORMATION

August 28: Monthly Webinar

Plan to attend the following webinar for financial aid administrators:

August 28 at 2 p.m. (CT) – ISAC Operational Update and Program News

To participate in this webinar, visit the Partner Training page in the e-Library at isac.org to access the webinar link and presentation materials, both of which will be posted on the day of the session. Registration is not required for the webinar.

September 19: Next Commission Meeting

The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024. 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 2024.

Executive Briefing on September 20

An Executive Briefing conference call is scheduled for Friday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to noon for institutional financial aid staff. Executive Director Eric Zarnikow and ISAC staff will provide information about activity that took place at the Commission meeting and other ISAC updates.

On the day of the briefing, you can gain access by visiting the Partner Training page of the e-Library.

First Generation Scholars Network

Encourage your incoming students 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 [email protected] to start the conversation on ways ISAC can partner with your campus for student success.

Holiday Schedules

ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:

Monday, September 2 – Labor Day
Monday, October 14 – Columbus Day
Tuesday, November 5 – General Election Day
Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day
Thursday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 29 – Day after Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas
Wednesday, January 1 – New Year's Day

Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.

Processing Schedules

Although ISAC staff will be unavailable on the days listed above, all systems for ISAC-administered programs within the GAP Access portal will be available during regularly scheduled hours. For MAP and other programs administered through components of the GAP Access portal, results for payment requests submitted from 5 p.m. (CT) the business day prior to the holiday through 5 p.m. (CT) the business day following the holiday will be available via the appropriate program's system on the morning of the second business day after the holiday.

For Assistance

Access the Financial Aid Administrators 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).

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 [email protected].