ISAC Student PortalISAC Update
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| ISAC Update |
Welcome to the February 2022 ISAC Update for financial aid administrators and business officers. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout February.
The articles in this Update have been organized according to the FAA subscription groups to which the messages were distributed.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this ISAC Update can be directed to School Services at 866.247.2172 or at isac.schoolservices@illinois.gov. On occasion, you may be directed to a specific contact person or area; when this occurs, we will provide the appropriate information in the individual article or message.
2022 CCE Conference: Save the Date & Call for Proposals
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, and FFELP Administrators on February 25, 2022.
Save the Date & Call for Proposals
2022 CCE Conference: Moving Forward Together
Please mark your calendars for the 2022 College Changes Everything® (CCE) virtual conference taking place the week of July 11, 2022. The annual conference is the state's preeminent college access and success and career readiness event. This year's online event will showcase best practices, collaborations, and resources available to promote and support student college and career readiness and to help Illinois reach its Goal 2025 – to increase the proportion of adults in Illinois with high-quality degrees and postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025.
This year's conference theme is Moving Forward Together. As we continue to adapt, pivot, and respond to the ongoing challenges and uncertainty the pandemic presents to our education system and the state's workforce, it's critical we keep up our efforts to find new and innovate ways to be champions for all learners and for Illinois to reach its Goal 2025. Stakeholders from all parts of a student's community must work together to support and provide them with the knowledge and opportunities to be successful along their education pathways and as they transition to employment.
Call for Proposals: Due March 31, 2022 – Please Share Your Knowledge and Expertise
The Conference Planning Committee encourages you to help make this conference a valuable professional development experience by submitting a conference interest session proposal. The online session proposal form is available on the conference website. Presenting at the CCE conference is a terrific way to support and engage in active learning with attendees, share your ideas and expertise with a diverse audience, and enrich your own professional growth.
As the conference draws a broad group of professionals and stakeholders, we welcome proposals that cover a wide range of topics related to college access and completion and career readiness. Such topics might include, but are not limited to: college and career readiness; student retention, persistence, and completion; programs and services for underrepresented students; educational equity; student wellness and emotional support; career and technical education; partnerships; career development experiences; education, business, and the economy; college costs, financial aid, and affordability; and community stakeholder engagement.
Each 60-minute session should provide in-depth information, practical ideas, and best practices for the audience and demonstrate positive steps taken and lessons learned. Conference attendees appreciate the opportunity to hear from the students being served by the program(s) and/or service(s). To that end, we encourage you to include students in your sessions when possible.
- Deadline – Priority consideration will be given to completed session proposal forms submitted by Thursday, March 31, 2022. The online proposal form is on the conference website.
- Non-Commercial Policy – Please note that sessions are to be non-commercial forums. Individuals should refrain from using brand names or endorsing specific products. Sessions are not to be used as a place for direct promotion of products and services.
- Presenter Compensation Policy – The CCE conference does not provide any compensation for individuals accepted to serve as conference interest session presenters.
Conference registration will open later this spring. There will be no registration fee to participate.
Please share the information in this e-Message with colleagues in your organization and other partners.
2022 College Changes Everything Conference Planning Committee
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- Illinois Board of Higher Education
- Illinois Community College Board
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Illinois College Access Network
- Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
- Advance Illinois
- Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
- Generations Serving Generations
- ACT Now
- Women Employed
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
of adults in Illinois with high-quality college degrees and
postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025
Proposed Rules and Amendments Published for Comment
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, and Business Officers on February 22, 2022.
ISAC's 2022-23 omnibus rulemaking cycle is currently underway, with rules and amendments being proposed for the following:
Part 2700 – General Provisions – several new definitions and a newly-created Section are being added to this Part, in response to recent legislation. Most significantly, the definition of "Mandatory Fees" is being expanded to include fees for students studying though distance education (in addition to previously-included on-campus students).
Part 2733 – Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program – as a result of the approval of P.A. 102-0382, an expansion of what's considered an "honorable discharge" for program eligibility is being added.
Part 2746 – Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program – rules were created for the administration of this new program.
The above-noted proposed rules and amendments, along with minor amendments of an administrative nature to other Parts, were published in the February 18 issue of the Illinois Register. A document with only ISAC's proposed rules and amendments is available for review through the Administrative Rules area (#4) of the e-Library. Publication initiated a 45-day public comment period, which ends on Sunday, April 3 (comments will be accepted through COB, Monday, April 4). Those interested may submit written comments as noted below. Comments received through any other avenue, or after the deadline, cannot be considered.
Jackie Eckley, Agency Rules Coordinator
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
500 West Monroe, 3rd floor
Springfield, IL 62704
jackie.eckley@illinois.gov
FAX: 217.785.6242
Comments from the public will be reviewed by staff, and where appropriate, the proposed rules and amendments will be revised based on comments received. Staff will then request approval from the Commission to submit the proposed rules and amendments to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for a second 45-day review period, and for them to be adopted as final if no objection is received from JCAR. The proposed rules and amendments are anticipated to be effective on July 1, 2022 for the 2022-23 academic year.
Ex Parte Communications
Please be aware that during the public comment period, ISAC staff members are required to document and report any ex parte communications that take place regarding the proposed rules and amendments. Ex parte communications are defined as any written or oral communication by any person during the rulemaking period that imparts or requests material information or makes a material argument regarding potential action. They do not include statements made in a public forum or communications regarding matters of procedure, such as the manner of filing comments or the status of the proceeding. Accordingly, in order to adhere to this requirement, ISAC staff will document and report any communication with institutional staff about the proposed rules and amendments.
ILASFAA February Brown Bag Session
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Private Institutions, and FFELP Administrators on February 18, 2022.
The Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) Training & Professional Development Committee will host a virtual lunchtime Brown Bag session on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 12 – 1 p.m. to provide the financial aid community with an opportunity to connect and discuss current topics and ideas.
The focus of the February session will be on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and loan repayment. Meghan Chrum from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will discuss the PSLF Program, including eligibility and the Limited PSLF Waiver. Meghan will share how to apply for the limited waiver and next steps to take advantage of this opportunity. Questions about changes to the PSLF Program and the Limited PSLF Waiver can be sent to isac.pslf@illinois.gov.
Christina Rose from Citizens will also be providing a high-level summary of the ever-changing student loan landscape after the federal loan payment pause. Following a brief overview of the programs, the session will be opened up for questions and discussion.
To join February’s Brown Bag session: click on Register Now and complete the online registration form, after which you will receive your participation link.
If you work in public service and have student loans, you might be eligible for a loan forgiveness program!
Join ISAC for free Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Webinars
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, and FFELP Administrators on February 3, 2022.
Recent temporary changes, including a limited waiver, to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program may benefit public sector and non-profit employees. Some of these changes offer benefits available for a limited time, so you don't want to miss out on this info!
Session Description:
Did you know that public service employees may be eligible for Federal Student Loan forgiveness? The PSLF program allows Federal Student Loan borrowers to apply for forgiveness if they are employed full time by a government, 501(c)(3) organization, or public-serving nonprofit, and meet other requirements.
If you want to learn more about PSLF or if you have applied for PSLF and been denied, this is the session for you. In this session, we will discuss the existing PSLF program as well as a new Limited Waiver for PSLF that will allow borrowers to receive credit for payments that previously did not qualify for PSLF. The Limited Waiver ends October 31, 2022, don't miss out!
February Webinar Dates:
February 10, 5-6 p.m.
February 22, 12-1 p.m.
Learn more and register: https://www.isac.org/pslf. For questions on the webinars, contact the Professional Development staff at isac.pslf@illinois.gov.
Second 2021-22 MAP Suspense Date Implemented
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on February 2, 2022.
Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org).
As originally announced in a January 13 e-Message, the latest analysis of application and payment request (claim) data has resulted in ISAC 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 Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
Starting today (Wednesday, February 2, 2022), MAP records in suspense status:
- are reflected in the MAP system;
- show on the appropriate screens and reports; and,
- appear in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction.
The 2021-22 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart reflects the February 1, 2022 suspense date.
Identifying Records in Suspense Status
MAP records in suspense status are 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 allow you to identify student records and create a report of those records placed in suspense status.
Reminder: Submit First- and Second-Term Claims by February 25
In order to be considered timely, the following 2021-22 MAP claims must be submitted no later than 7 p.m. (CT) on Friday, February 25, 2022.
- For second term:
- initial claims, and
- increases to previously-submitted claims.
- For first term:
- initial claims,
- increases to previously-submitted claims,
- claims for awards released from suspense, and
- late claims.
- Based on the current 2021-22 MAP suspense date (February 1, 2022), first- and second-term claims should only be submitted if the student's initial 2021-22 FAFSA or Alternative Application receipt date is October 1, 2020 through (including) January 31, 2022.
We recognize that the 2021-22 second-term priority claims deadline date of February 25, 2022 is earlier than in recent years. The ongoing pandemic, along with other factors, resulted in low first-term claim rates. Having an early second-term priority claim deadline will allow ISAC staff the time needed to assess claim volume and determine whether and by how much second- and third-term award amounts will be increased. Our goal is to best leverage the full $479.5 million fiscal year 2022 MAP appropriation so as to provide meaningful assistance to the greatest possible number of eligible students, while also providing financial aid administrators sufficient time to adjust award packages before the end of the academic year.
Watch for Future Updates
You will be notified via ISAC's usual communication methods (i.e., the MAP Program News page, the FAA Message Board, and this e-Messaging service) as more information regarding 2021-22 MAP becomes available – including details regarding the likely increase of second- and third-term award amounts.
January 2022 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on February 1, 2022.
The January 2022 edition of the ISAC Update is now available for your review, and may be accessed via the Partner e-Messages & Newsletters section of the e-Library for Partners at isac.org. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent to financial aid administrators and business officers via ISAC's e-Messaging service over the past month.
Topics covered in the January 2022 ISAC Update include:
- Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
(sent January 28, 2022) - Join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) for a Free Virtual Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webinar
(sent January 18, 2022) - 2021-22 MAP Updates: New Suspense and Claim Deadline Dates – Second/Third-Term Award Increases Likely
(sent January 13, 2022) - ISAC Monthly Webinars for FAAs
(sent January 12, 2022) - ILASFAA January Brown Bag Session: ECACE Scholarship
(sent January 11, 2022) - 2021-22 Spring-Term Claims & Benefit Usage
(sent January 4, 2022) - December 2021 Electronic ISAC Update
(sent January 3, 2022)
