ISAC Student PortalEarly Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program Overview
NOTICE: 2026-27 Alternative Application
As of July 24, 2026, a federal district court ruled that undocumented students are no longer eligible to receive state financial assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the 2026-2027 school year. As a result, the 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, the application certain undocumented students would have used to apply for state financial aid programs this academic year, is no longer available. This means that students who have submitted or planned to submit the 2026-27 Alternative Application, such as Illinois undocumented students, cannot be considered for this program for the 2026-27 school year.
The eligibility criteria for the 2027–28 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid will be changing. This application is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2026. Please visit isac.org/AlternativeApp for more information.
The Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program provides funds for those who are currently working or have worked in the early childhood education field and are seeking additional credentials and degrees. Recipients must attend a public or non-profit private 2- or 4-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institution as undergraduate students.
The maximum annual award a student may receive is the lesser of $7,500 or the cost of attendance after other aid is considered.
Recipients of the scholarship are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field in Illinois after they complete their program of study.
Those interested in pursuing available early childhood education opportunities can complete the Higher Education Navigator Interest Form to be connected to someone who will walk them through all the options. A Higher Education Navigator from a local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency will reach out to anyone completing the form, and will help with finding and enrolling in the college that best meets their needs.
