ISAC Student PortalUpcoming Important Dates from ISAC
05/12/2022
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to make you aware of the following information, which may be of interest to students and their families.
Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at ISAC's website (isac.org).
You may either scroll through the remainder of this message, or click on the appropriate link(s) to go directly to a specific section:
2022-23 (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023)
2021-22 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
The 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) remains available online, and – if not already done – should be completed as soon as possible by families of students who will be attending college between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Specific details, including links to several online resources, may be accessed via the Financial Aid Planning section (which is located within the Students & Parents – Before College area). FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, as well as several other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance.
In addition, the 2022-23 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) is also available (in English and Spanish). As a reminder, students meeting the criteria of the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act may file the Alternative Application – which is patterned after the FAFSA – to apply for the MAP grant. Because the failure to register for Selective Service no longer disqualifies an applicant from receiving federal student aid, students who have not registered may want to consider completing the FAFSA instead of the Alternative Application to maximize their financial aid opportunities. Further details are provided at ISAC's RISE Act page.
By June 30: High School Juniors Take College Assessment Exams for State Scholar Consideration
Eligibility for the State Scholar Program is based, in part, on a student's highest qualifying ACT or SAT score. High school juniors who are potential candidates will need to take one of the accepted exams during the specified timeframe to be considered for State Scholar designation, even though Illinois' public institutions are now prohibited from requiring the submission of student test scores as part of the admissions process.
For current high school juniors, only exams taken between August 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 qualify for consideration in the State Scholar announcements that will be made during their senior year (i.e., high school juniors, who will be college freshmen during the 2023-24 academic year, will be named Scholars during the fall of 2022). Further details are provided at the State Scholar Program page of our website.
FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
If not already done, students who are enrolled for the 2021-22 academic year should be encouraged to submit their FAFSA (or, if applicable, Alternative Application) as soon as possible. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for many forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance, including the Illinois MAP grant.
Online Resource Helps Students Find Leads for Summer Employment/Internships
Students seeking summer jobs or internships should be encouraged to follow the "Internship and Summer Jobs" link from the Toolbox area of the ISAC Student Portal.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day
- Monday, June 20 – Juneteenth (observed)
- Monday, July 4 – Independence Day
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
For Assistance
Access ISAC's website anytime, or send an e-mail message to the ISAC Call Center. With the exception of days when ISAC staff members are unavailable, we will review and respond to messages during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CT).
You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through the Parents subscription group.
If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please contact the ISAC Call Center by calling toll free at 800.899.ISAC (4722) or sending an e-mail message to isac.studentservices@illinois.gov.
