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 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.
MTI Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted
The fiscal year 2023 (FY23) state operating budget, which was signed into law by the governor in April, includes an appropriation for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program that increases the maxium annual award amount to $7,500 for the 2022-23 and subsequent academic years. In addition, the FY23 MTI Scholarship Program funding level initiates – to the extent allowed by the amount of funding that remains – at least 30 percent of the appropriated funds being reserved for qualified bilingual minority applicants, with priority given to those applicants who are enrolled in an educator preparation program with a concentration in bilingual, bicultural education.
The 2022-23 MTI Scholarship Program application continues to be accepted, even though the March 31, 2022 priority consideration date has passed. Complete applications – including the 2022-23 FAFSA (or Alternative Application, if applicable) – received after this date will continue to be considered for the MTI Scholarship Program for as long as funding remains after all timely complete applicants have been awarded. All minority students and qualified bilingual minority applicants who meet the program's eligibility requirements are encouraged to complete and submit their applications as soon as possible.
By End of May: ING Grant Application
The interactive application for the 2022-23 Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program is anticipated to be available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal by the end of May 2022. Use the 2022-23 application to apply for the fall 2022, spring 2023 and summer 2023 terms.
If you have not already done so, be sure to create a profile in the ISAC Student Portal. Once you have a profile, you can return to the Student Portal to check your application status, verify the number of ING Grant eligibility units you have remaining or, if necessary, print a duplicate copy of your ING Grant eligibility notification.
Because this is an entitlement program, receipt of benefits does not depend on the annual budget process. Illinois public two- and four-year colleges are required to waive any eligible tuition and allowable fees that are not covered by state appropriations.
By End of May: Grant Programs for Dependents of Police/Fire/Correctional Officers Application
The 2022-23 application for the following programs is anticipated to be available via the Applications area by the end of May 2022.
- Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
- Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers
By the End of June: ECACE Scholarship Application
The 2022-23 application for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program is anticipated to be available via the Applications area by the end of June.
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 you are enrolled for the 2021-22 academic year and have not yet done so, you are encouraged to submit your 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.
Attention: Spring 2022 Graduates
Review MTI Scholarship and SETTW Program Requirements
If you received awards from the MTI Scholarship or Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) programs, review the program requirements to make sure you fulfill all obligations and prevent your award from converting to a loan.
In addition, check out the Teaching page for resources to help you find a job and manage any student loan debt.
Make Plans for Student Loan Repayment
Note: In addition to the below, which describes student loan repayment under normal circumstances, be sure to also visit ISAC's Student Loan Repayment during the Coronavirus Outbreak page for information specific to the current times.
College seniors with student loans who will graduate at the end of the spring term are reminded to contact the holder of their loans to make repayment arrangements. For questions about the identity/location of your loan servicer(s), loan amounts and outstanding balances, access "My Federal Student Aid" via the Federal Student Aid website or the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®).
Federal student loans offer multiple payment options based on the borrower's financial situation. Information regarding available loan repayment plans can be found at the Federal Student Aid website. In preparation for contacting your servicer to set up your repayment schedule, we encourage you to research the available options to learn which may work best for you. In addition, be sure to check out loan forgiveness/cancellation options when considering your employment and repayment plans.
Before your first payment is due, you typically will be given a grace period of six months, starting the day you drop below half-time enrollment. If you miss or fall short of a payment, your loan will become delinquent and may even default. A defaulted loan will have a negative impact on you, costing you more money and leaving you with a bad credit rating for up to seven years after the loan is paid in full. To help manage your student loan debt and avoid default, stay in touch with your lender or servicer.
June 15: ING Grant Summer Term Application Deadline
June 15, 2022 is the final date summer term applications will be accepted for the 2021-22 ING Grant Program.
Because this is an entitlement program, eligible recipients will receive their awards regardless of annual funding through the state budget process. Illinois public two- and four-year colleges are required to waive any eligible tuition and allowable fees that are not covered by state funding.
June 15: Police, Fire, or Correctional Officer Grants Summer Term Application Deadline
June 15, 2022 is the final date summer term applications will be accepted for the 2021-22 Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers and the 2021-22 Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers.
Find Leads for Summer Employment/Internships
Students seeking summer jobs or internships are encouraged to follow the "Internship and Summer Jobs" link from the Toolbox area of the ISAC Student Portal.
Throughout May: Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webinars
Recent temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), including a limited waiver, may benefit public sector and non-profit employees. If you want to learn more about PSLF, or if you have applied for PSLF and been denied, be sure to register for the free webinars being offered by ISAC staff throughout the month of May. Further details, including specific dates, are provided in a May 3 e-Message.
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 Students 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), sending an e-mail message to isac.studentservices@illinois.gov or chatting live with one of our representatives through the "Live Support-Online" button in the Students & Parents area of our website.
Get information anytime about the college-going process and ISAC programs on ISAC's website and Student Portal, both accessible at isac.org.
