ISAC Student PortalUpcoming Important Dates from ISAC
08/04/2022
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:
2023-24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024)
2022-23 (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
Start Planning Now for 2023-24 Academic Year
FAFSA® Available on October 1 – Make Sure FSA ID is Ready
This is the time for high school seniors planning to start college in the fall of 2023 to create an FSA ID, to be used in October when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). 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. Be sure to submit the 2023-24 FAFSA, which will require 2021 income information, as soon as possible after it becomes available on October 1, 2022.
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
The 2023-24 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) will also become available on October 1, 2022. 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. Further details are provided at ISAC's RISE Act page.
Beware of Scams
If you are a student who plans to attend college during the 2023-24 academic year, start searching now for scholarships to help fund your education. As you conduct scholarship searches, beware of financial aid "scams." There are many reputable resources available, including the Cappex tool that may be accessed via the Resources portion of the ISAC Student Portal, scholarship books in your local library's reference section, and the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.
October is College Changes Everything Month 2022
During the month of October, many high schools throughout Illinois will hold college application and FAFSA completion workshops for their students. College-bound students at participating schools are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to receive assistance. In-person events will be conducted in accordance with state and local health guidelines.
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 students who will be high school juniors in the upcoming fall, only exams taken between August 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 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 2024-25 academic year, will be named Scholars during the fall of 2023). Further details are provided at the State Scholar Program page of our website.
Now Available: ING Grant Application
The interactive application for the 2022-23 Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program is available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. Use the 2022-23 application to apply for the fall 2022, spring 2023 and summer 2023 terms. The application priority consideration date for full-year and fall-only awards is October 1, 2022.
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.
Now Available: Grant Programs for Dependents of Police/Fire/Correctional Officers Application
The application for the 2022-23 Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers and the 2022-23 Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers is available to download and print via the Applications page of the Students & Parents area. Use the 2022-23 application to apply for the fall 2022, spring 2023 and summer 2023 terms. The application priority consideration date for full-year and fall-only awards is October 1, 2022.
Now Available: Grant Program for Exonerees
The interactive application for the 2022-23 Grant Program for Exonerees is available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. Use the 2022-23 application to apply for the fall 2022 and spring 2023 terms (the grant is not available for summer terms). Applications are processed in date-received order ("first come, first served"). Because program funds are limited, those meeting the program's eligibility requirements are encouraged to complete and submit the application as soon as possible.
FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
The 2022-23 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 MAP grant, as well as several other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance.
In addition, the Alternative Application is also available (in English and Spanish). As a reminder, students meeting the criteria of the 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.
ECACE Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted
The application for the 2022-23 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program continues to be accepted, even though the July 15, 2022 priority consideration date has passed. Complete applications – including the 2022-23 FAFSA received after this date (i.e., untimely applications) will continue to be considered for the ECACE Scholarship Program for as long as funding remains after all timely complete applicants have been awarded. Based on the fiscal year 2023 appropriation and projected application volume, ISAC anticipates that funds will remain to be awarded to eligible untimely applicants.
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 maximum 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.
ISAC Student Portal Provides MAP Resources
Be sure to visit the ISAC Student Portal to access these helpful resources related to MAP grants:
- MAP Estimator (located in the Toolbox area) – if you are planning on attending an Illinois college, use this tool to get an idea of your eligibility for the MAP grant; and,
- MAP Paid Credit Hours Display (located in the Program Applications & Status Checks area) – if you are a MAP grant recipient, use this option to track the number of MAP Paid Credit Hours you have remaining.
Throughout August: 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, plan to attend one of the free webinars being offered by ISAC staff throughout the month of August. Further details, including specific dates and access to online registration, will soon be provided at https://www.isac.org/pslf.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, September 5 – Labor Day
- Monday, October 10 – Columbus 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).
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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.
