ISAC Student PortalProfessional Development Resources
Below are ISAC resources available to school counselors, college and career staff, and college access professionals who support students and families through the financial aid process.
ISAC's Expert Guides to the FAFSA and Alternative Application
Our guides provide information on the financial aid applications available for students here in Illinois and examples of different income and tax documents they may need when completing an application. The first half of the ISAC Expert Guides introduces the criteria students must meet to be eligible for federal and/or state financial aid and which application to complete based on citizenship status. There are examples of a card or visa students may have, examples of supports for working with students who are experiencing homelessness, and supports to help students with DACA. The second half of the guides shares examples of the income and tax documents and a step-by-step process on how to request a tax return transcript for students and families.
- 2023-24 Expert Guide
(If printing, please be aware that this is a large file.) - 2022-23 Expert Guide
(If printing, please be aware that this is a large file.)
ISAC's Student Loan Expert Guide
Our guide provides a walk-through of the student loan life cycle. The guide introduces students and families to the types of federal loans available to each of them, the steps that must be taken to obtain a federal student loan, and what happens after a loan has been disbursed. The guide shares examples of the different repayment options available to borrowers, and loan forgiveness programs from the Department of Education and ISAC.
- Student Loan Expert Guide
(If printing, please be aware that this is a large file.)
