ISAC Student Portal2025-26 MAP Recompute Formula Approved
06/27/2025
Summary of June 26 Commission Meeting
The following highlights some of the agenda items included at the June 26, 2025 meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), and any action taken. The complete listing of agenda items is available in the June 26 Agenda Book, which can be accessed from the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area at isac.org.
FY2026 (2025-26 Academic Year) MAP Recompute Formula Approved – Agenda Item 5
Each year, ISAC is responsible for adopting an allocation (or, "start-up") formula for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and then – once the state operating budget has been signed into law – the Commission approves a recompute formula based on the MAP appropriation. At its September 19, 2024 meeting, the Commission approved a start-up formula to enable financial aid administrators to calculate eligibility for applicants planning to attend college in the 2025-26 academic year. Because ongoing data analysis indicated that fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) application volume would likely exceed that of FY2025, and with the expectation of continuing higher claim rates, in April the Commission approved carrying over to the 2025-26 MAP start-up formula the same 4 percent reduction factor that had been implemented for 2024-25 MAP awards (see Agenda Item 6 from the April 17, 2025 Commission meeting for further details). By mid-May, FY2026 application volume and claim projections indicated that, even with the 4 percent award reduction, FY2026 award announcements for students who apply after June 5, 2025 must be placed in suspense status.
The FY2026 state operating budget has been approved and signed into law by the governor, and again includes a historic high MAP appropriation (approximately $721 million, which is $10 million more than had been appropriated for 2024-25 MAP awards). Given the early suspense date and uncertainty due to proposed changes to federal Pell Grants, the $10 million increase will provide some needed cushion for this MAP cycle.
Taking all factors into account, ISAC staff recommended – and the Commission approved – a recompute formula that is the same as the revised FY2026 MAP start-up formula approved at the April 17, 2025 Commission meeting (including the 4 percent reduction factor).
The approved recompute formula is outlined in Table Three of Agenda Item 5 from the June 26, 2025 Agenda Book. The formula may also be viewed in the 2025-26 MAP Formula section of ISAC's website, which has been updated to reflect "recompute."
Because the recompute formula mirrors the start-up formula, no changes are required in the MAP system and daily processing of ISIR data continues as usual.
Continue to monitor our established methods of communication (i.e., MAP Program News, the FAA Message Board, and this e-Messaging service) for operational updates throughout the year.
Other Items
The following items were also presented to the Commission:
- Legislative Update – Agenda Item 4
- FY2026 Budget Review and Approvals – Agenda Item 6
- College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investment and Program Updates – Agenda Item 7
Next Meeting
The next Commission meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
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