ISAC Student PortalISAC Update
VOL. 41, NO. 9F
March 2024
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| ISAC Update |
Welcome to the March 2024 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 March.
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.
Don't Forget – Submit Your CCE Conference Proposal
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on March 25, 2024.
July 18, 2024 – Tinley Park Convention Center
Please play an active role in helping make the 2024 College Changes Everything® (CCE) conference a valuable peer-to-peer learning experience by submitting an interest session proposal to share your insights, experiences, and creative solutions.
One of the significant strengths of the conference comes from sessions developed and led by dedicated educators and professionals like you that highlight programs, resources, and partnerships impacting student success. Each year the conference draws a broad group of concerned stakeholders, and this year we're showcasing the role of community health on educational equity. We encourage proposals addressing a wide range of issues related to, but not limited to: college and career readiness; student retention, persistence, and completion; education, business, and the economy; supporting marginalized student populations; college costs and affordability; and leveraging community resources. Session proposals should also explain how the information shared contributes to community health. Attendees look for sessions that provide in-depth information, practical ideas, and best practices and specific strategies. You're invited to complete the online session proposal form (more information about interest session submission is available on the conference web page).
Deadline – Priority consideration will be given to complete session proposals submitted by April 8, 2024.
We look forward to seeing you on July 18, 2024, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Illinois. Registration for the conference will open later this spring. Please share this e-Message with colleagues in your organizations and others in your network.
2024 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 Department of Employment Security
- 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
- ACT Now
- Women Employed
- iCan Dream Center
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Helping Illinois reach its Goal 2025: to increase the proportion
of adults in Illinois with high-quality college degrees and
postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025.
First Gen Symposium Session Materials Are Now Posted!
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on March 22, 2024.
The First Gen Symposium planning committee at ISAC thanks everyone who attended the first annual First Gen Symposium, including the presenters for sharing their knowledge and expertise. We also thank North Central College for their partnership in hosting the first symposium!
We are pleased to announce that the presentations shared during the symposium are now posted at the First Gen Symposium page.
To learn more about upcoming professional development opportunities, visit the Professional Development Offerings page. For questions, contact isac.outreachtraining@illinois.gov.
2024 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, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on March 18, 2024.
2024 CCE Conference – Community Health
Please join us for the 15th annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) conference on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Illinois. The annual conference is the state's foremost college access and success and career readiness event. Diverse stakeholders come together and learn from each other 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.
Equity continues to be at the heart of the CCE conference as we strive to ensure all students have opportunities for college access and success and they are career ready. At last year's conference, our collective question was: How do we advance educational equity for Illinois students and parents? This year we consider the role of community health on educational equity. As we champion CCE to highlight how education is an essential component of other policy areas, we need to highlight the role community health plays in advancing educational equity for Illinois students and families. So this year, let's explore these questions: Can you have educational equity without community health? Can you have community health without educational equity? Community health encompasses various aspects contributing to the well-being of a particular population. Community is a multifaceted concept allowing partners to define it based on who their work serves and how they do their work (e.g., geographic, social, cultural, virtual, professional, intentional/specific purpose, economic, interfaith, neighborhood, supportive, and more). Communities can be dynamic, evolving entities shaped by its members' interactions and shared experiences. Partners should approach defining health as it relates to their work in a holistic way that includes: mental, physical, and environmental. We know from other initiatives supporting educational equity, collective efforts maximize impact and partnerships enhance sustainable solutions. Informed planning leads to effective policies, resource allocation, and tailored programs.
Call for Proposals: Due April 8, 2024
Please consider helping to make this conference a valuable professional development and collaborative experience by submitting a conference interest session proposal. Please click here to access the session proposal form. Presenting at the CCE conference is a terrific way to support and engage in active learning with colleagues, share your knowledge and stories 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 and 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. In support of the conference theme, session proposals also should explain how the information shared contributes to community health. Priority consideration will be given to completed session proposal forms submitted by April 8, 2024. For more details on submitting a proposal, please visit the conference website.
Please share this e-Message with colleagues in your organizations and others in your network.
2024 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 Department of Employment Security
- 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
- ACT Now
- Women Employed
- iCan Dream Center
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Helping Illinois reach its Goal 2025: to increase the proportion
of adults in Illinois with high-quality college degrees and
postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025.
Discontinuation of Authy Desktop Application – Mobile App Now Required for GAP Two-Factor Authentication
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on March 12, 2024.
The Authy desktop application, as part of the two-factor authentication process used by some schools when accessing the Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal, is being discontinued by its owner on March 19, 2024.
Those schools currently using any desktop app, including Authy, should be advised that ISAC now requires use of a mobile app on a separate device for two-factor authentication purposes.
We recommend any of the following free mobile apps, although we do not endorse one product over another:
- Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Authy Authenticator
The use of desktop apps for authentication does not provide a high level of security. In the event of a compromise of the user's computer and/or credentials, an app on the user's desktop does not have the additional layer of protection that using a separate device provides. Use of a separate mobile device for two-factor authentication increases the overall security of GAP and the student-specific data it contains.
The GAP Access Two-Factor Authentication User Guide is being updated and we will let you know through the Counselor and FAA Messages Boards when it has been posted.
March Webinars for FAAs
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on March 7, 2024.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will offer the following webinars for financial aid administrators during the month of March.
- Tuesday, March 12, 10 a.m. – Policies & Procedures Webinar about the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) & Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Programs
- Wednesday, March 27, 2 p.m. – Monthly Operational Update and Program News
To participate, visit the Partner Training page in the e-Library on the day of the event to access the webinar link and presentation materials.
Join Us to Learn about the One-Time Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Account Adjustment
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on March 6, 2024.
learn how you can take advantage of this adjustment!
Millions of federal loan borrowers have received loan forgiveness or updated payment counts due to the one-time IDR Account Adjustment. The adjustment is a set of temporary changes that allows federal student loan borrowers to receive credit for certain previously ineligible payments while under an IDR plan and/or pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
This one-time adjustment period is coming to an end and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) wants to make all federal student loan borrowers aware of this opportunity! To help borrowers across the state, ISAC is hosting free webinars on how federal direct loan and FFEL borrowers can navigate this process. To learn more, visit the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness page.
For registration details, visit the Professional Development Calendar. For questions, contact isac.borrowersupport@illinois.gov.
Countdown to April 30: How to Benefit from Federal Student Loan Debt Relief
Join us in March to learn about the steps you can take to apply and what happens after applying for the adjustment. All webinars are in Central Time (CT).
- Wednesday, March 13, 9-9:45 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 26, 3-3:45 p.m.
ISAC To Pause 2023-24 ECACE Application Processing
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Business Officers, and ECACE Administrators on March 1, 2024.
We are sharing the below important information regarding the administration of the 2023-24 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program.
Effective March 9, 2024, ISAC will pause processing of 2023-24 ECACE applications received on or after that date. Due to the amount of program funding already committed to students previously approved for this academic year, we are currently unable to make any further awards. If additional funding becomes available later this academic year, we will resume application processing to determine if more students are eligible.
The application remains on our website, with the information that only if additional funds become available will applications received on or after March 9th be reviewed for eligibility. Although those applications won't be processed, they will be placed in a hold status and impacted students will receive a letter indicating the program has insufficient funding and we cannot consider their applications at this time.
Submit First- and Second-Term Claims by March 15
To aid us in monitoring funding levels and determining if we are able to award additional students, we are urging colleges to submit both first- and second-term payment claims as soon as possible. ECACE first- and second-term claims must be submitted on or before March 15, 2024, to be considered timely, but claims submitted before that date help us make a determination about additional awards more quickly. Even though the priority claim deadline of December 29, 2023 has passed for the first (fall) term, we are continuing to accept and pay first-term claims for the ECACE Scholarship Program.
2024-25 NES Applications Due April 30
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Business Officers, and NES Schools on March 1, 2024.
The application for 2024-25 Nursing Education Scholarships (NES) is now available.
Program Highlights
- This program was designed to assist individuals who are pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associates degree in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing or a bachelor’s or graduate degree in nursing and who demonstrate the greatest financial need among qualified students.
- To be considered for funds during the 2024-25 academic year, the complete NES Application/Work Agreement/Promissory Note – along with either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) – must be submitted on or before Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
- The application process must be completed each year an applicant wishes to receive funding, regardless of whether the applicant has received a previous award (renewal).
- For complete NES applications submitted on or before April 30: if a signature is not provided at the time the application is submitted, applicants will have until the end of May to print, sign and submit the NES Application/Work Agreement/Promissory Note to ISAC.
- An NES award will pay a portion of tuition and fee charges, plus – for full-time students only – a living allowance (previously referred to as a stipend).
- The scholarship pays for coursework within the nursing curriculum, but does not pay for pre-requisite coursework.
- The number of years for which NES funding may be received is based on the certificate, diploma, or degree being pursued.
- Scholarship recipients must begin full- or part-time employment as a licensed practical or registered nurse in Illinois within six months of graduating, and remain employed for a period equivalent to the educational time supported by the scholarship.
- If this commitment is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan, which must be repaid with interest.
Learn More
The following NES resources are available at the ISAC website (isac.org).
What's Next?
Colleges utilize the NESP system to administer NES awards, and will be notified when the certification and payment processing functionalities are available for the 2024-25 awarding cycle (anticipated for later this spring). Further details will be provided as they become available via ISAC's standard methods of communication, including: the NES Program News page; the FAA Message Board; and, this e-Messaging service.
February 2024 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on March 1, 2024.
The February 2024 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 February 2024 ISAC Update include:
- Coming Soon: Changes to ISAC's Partner Services!
(sent February 26, 2024) - Join Us to Learn about the One-Time Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Account Adjustment
(sent February 22, 2024) - Submit 2023-24 MAP Second-Term Claims by March 22 – Third-Term Claims to Be Accepted Starting on March 21
(sent February 21, 2024) - Travel to the 2024 ILASFAA Conference and Join ISAC at Some of Our Sessions
(sent February 20, 2024) - Waitlist Available for the First Annual First Gen Symposium
(sent February 13, 2024) - February Webinars for FAAs
(sent February 2, 2024) - MAP Priority Date for Returning Recipients Extended
(sent February 1, 2024) - January 2024 Electronic ISAC Update
(sent February 1, 2024)
