ISAC Student PortalUpcoming Important Dates from ISAC
05/14/2025
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:
2026-27 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027)
2025-26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)
2024-25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
By June 30, 2025: High School Juniors Take College Assessment Exams for 2026-27 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 are currently high school juniors, only exams taken between August 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 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 2026-27 academic year, will be named Scholars during the fall of 2025). Further details are provided at the State Scholar Program page of our website.
FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
The 2025-26 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, 2025 and June 30, 2026. 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 2025-26 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) is also available (in English and Spanish). Qualifying 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.
May 19: ECACE Scholarship Applications Due
Applications for the 2025-26 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program continue to be accepted. The priority consideration date for the application process to be completed – including submission of the 2025-26 ECACE Scholarship application and the 2025-26 FAFSA or 2025-26 Alternative Application (if applicable) – is Monday, May 19, 2025. Applications received after that date will be considered only if funding remains after all timely, complete qualified applicants have been awarded.
Early June: ING Grant Application
The interactive application for the 2025-26 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 in early June 2025. Use the 2025-26 application to apply for the fall 2025, spring 2026 and summer 2026 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.
Early June: Grant Programs for Dependents of Police/Fire/Correctional Officers Application – Apply Online
The 2025-26 application for the following programs is anticipated to be available to complete and submit in early June 2025. New beginning with the 2025-26 academic year, the application process has moved online and will be available via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal.
- Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
- Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers
MTI Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted
The 2025-26 application for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program continues to be accepted, even though the March 31, 2025 priority consideration date has passed. Complete applications – including the 2025-26 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.
Spring 2025 Graduates Reminded to Review Program Requirements
If you received awards from any of the programs listed below and are no longer enrolled (or will soon no longer be enrolled), review the program requirements to make sure you fulfill all obligations and prevent your award from converting to a loan.
- Illinois Graduate and Retain our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program
- Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program
- MTI Scholarship Program
- Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) Program
- Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program
In addition, if you are pursuing a career in education, check out the Teaching page for resources to help you find a job and manage any student loan debt.
May 31: Last Day to Submit Applications for Community Behavioral Health Care Professional and Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program
May 31, 2025 is the last day on which 2025 fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) applications will be accepted for the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional and School Loan Repayment Program and the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program.
June 15: Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program Summer Term Application Deadline
June 15, 2025 is the final date of acceptance for the 2024-25 Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program application for the summer term. The application may be completed and submitted via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal.
June 15: Police, Fire, or Correctional Officer Grants Summer Term Application Deadline
June 15, 2025 is the final date summer term applications will be accepted for the 2024-25 Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers and the 2024-25 Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers.
Submit ING Grant Summer Term Applications
Remember that, effective with the 2023-24 academic year, there are no longer priority consideration dates by which ING Grant applications must be submitted each term. Rather, ING Grant applications must be received by ISAC in time for eligibility to be determined and the applicant to then notify the college about their eligibility no later than the last scheduled day of classes for the first term for which benefits have been requested.
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.
Join the First Generation Scholars Network
If you are the first in your family to earn a college degree, join the First Generation Scholars Network to get support and resources from ISAC, your peers, and colleges across the state. You'll find events and programs that provide tools, resources, mentoring, and connections that can help make the transition to college life easier.
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.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day
- Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth
- Friday, July 4 – Independence Day
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
For Assistance
Access the Students & Parents area or the ISAC Student Portal anytime, or send us an e-mail at [email protected]. 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 an ISAC Student Engagement Representative by calling toll-free at 800.899.ISAC (4722) or chat with a representative live through the "Live Support-Online" button in the Students & Parents area of our website. You may also reach out to ISAC Student Services by e-mail at [email protected]. We are happy to assist you.
Get information anytime about the college-going process and ISAC programs on ISAC's website and Student Portal, both accessible at isac.org.
