JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

2021-22 MAP Suspense Date: August 27, 2021

08/23/2021

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

ISAC is suspending the announcement of 2021-22 Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for applicants whose initial 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is received by the Central Processing System (CPS), or whose initial Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is received by ISAC, on or after Friday, August 27, 2021.

Beginning as early as Monday, August 30, 2021, MAP records in suspense status will:

  • be reflected in the MAP system;
  • show on the appropriate screens and reports; and,
  • appear in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction.

Application Volume and Projected Claim Rates Being Monitored

When 2021-22 FAFSA filing commenced on October 1, 2020, ISAC staff began to monitor and analyze MAP application volume and projected claim rates. The fiscal year 2022 (FY22) state operating budget MAP appropriation of $479,566,200 – which reflects a more than $28 million increase over the FY21 MAP appropriation – allowed the suspense date for 2021-22 award announcements to be significantly later than last year's initial suspense date of July 1, 2020.

ISAC staff will continue to monitor MAP application volume and claim rates. If future analysis indicates that a partial release of awards from suspense status is viable, we will communicate that information to the financial aid community as it becomes available.

2021-22 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart

The 2021-22 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart provides an overview of categories for students based on the initial application receipt date.

Student Award Announcements

Colleges must suspend announcements of MAP awards to applicants whose initial 2021-22 application (FAFSA and Alternative Application) receipt date is on or after Friday, August 27, 2021. Please note that ISAC is not notifying affected applicants that their awards have been placed in suspense status. Colleges are advised to communicate announcement information to students with suspended awards as prescribed in school policy and procedure.

Identifying Records in Suspense Status

MAP records in suspense status will be indicated by a MAP Suspend Code of "S" (S = New application received after the suspense date will not be considered for an award this year) in the MAP system and in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction. The MAP system contains filters that will allow you to identify student records and create a report of those records placed in suspense status.

Check ISAC's Website Periodically for Updates

As new information becomes available throughout the year, ISAC will continue to update the MAP Program News page within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section, which may be accessed via the Financial Aid Administrators area. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status of the program.

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.