ISAC Student PortalUpcoming Important Dates from ISAC
01/30/2023
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)
March 1: Illinois SETTW Application Deadline
March 1, 2023 is the priority application consideration date for the 2023-24 Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program. In order to complete the online application, you must log in to the ISAC Student Portal (if you have not already done so, you may create a profile here).
Complete applications received after March 1 will be considered only if available waivers remain after all timely complete applicants have been awarded. Students who meet the program's eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Note: Once a student has been awarded the tuition waiver, they do not need to reapply for consideration for additional years.
March 31: MTI Scholarship Application Deadline
March 31, 2023 is the priority application consideration date for the 2023-24 Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program. In order to complete the online application, you must log in to the ISAC Student Portal (if you have not already done so, you may create a profile here).
In addition to the MTI application, a 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (if applicable) must also be submitted by March 31.
Complete applications – including the 2023-24 FAFSA (or Alternative Application, if applicable) – received after March 31 will be considered only if 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 apply as soon as possible.
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 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, 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.
2023-24 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
The 2023-24 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, 2023 and June 30, 2024. 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 2023-24 Alternative Application is also available (in English and Spanish). Qualifying undocumented students may file the Alternative Application – which is patterned after the FAFSA – to apply for the MAP grant. Further details are provided at ISAC's Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act page.
February 28: Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program Application Deadline
February 28, 2023 is the priority application consideration date for the 2022-23 Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program. 2022-23 awards will cover all terms of the 2022-23 academic year (fall 2022, spring 2023, and summer 2023) for which the applicant is eligible and enrolled.
Complete online applications received after February 28 will be considered only if funds remain after all timely complete applicants have been awarded. Students who meet the program's eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Further details are provided in a January 13 e-Message.
March 1: Spring-Term Application Deadline for ING Grant
March 1, 2023 is the spring- and summer-term award deadline for the 2022-23 Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program. Applications received after March 1 will be considered for summer term only awards.
Reminder: To receive full-year consideration, your application must be received on or before October 1 of the academic year for which you're requesting assistance. For spring- and summer-term consideration, the deadline date is March 1. For summer-term consideration only, applications must be received on or before June 15.
Because this is an entitlement program, eligible recipients will receive their awards regardless of annual appropriations 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 appropriations.
March 1: Spring-Term Application Deadline for Grant Programs for Dependents of Police, Fire, or Correctional Officers
March 1, 2023 is the spring- and summer-term award deadline for the 2022-23 Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers and the 2022-23 Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers. Applications received after March 1 will be considered for summer term only awards.
State Scholars Announced
Congratulations to those Illinois high school students who have been designated as State Scholars.
Available again this year is a digital Illinois State Scholar badge issued by ISAC, which State Scholars can display on their online profiles and social media accounts, as well as share with high school counselors, prospective colleges, employers, family members and others. Further details are provided in the congratulatory letters sent to State Scholars throughout the fall of 2022.
2022-23 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
If you are enrolled for the 2022-23 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 federal, state and institutional financial assistance.
ECACE Scholarship Application Remains Available
The application for the 2022-23 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program remains available. Although the priority consideration date for the 2022-23 application was July 15, 2022, untimely applications (i.e., those received after the priority consideration date) will continue to be considered for as long as funding remains available after all timely, qualified applicants have been awarded. You are encouraged to complete and submit the application process – which also includes the 2022-23 FAFSA – as soon as possible.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, February 13, 2023 – Lincoln's Birthday
- Monday, February 20, 2023 – Presidents' 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.
