JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

State Scholar Processing Reminders

10/16/2024

Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org).

This message is provided to assist high schools with the 2025-26 State Scholar processing cycle, and to answer some commonly-asked questions.

You may either scroll through the remainder of this message, or click on the appropriate link(s) to go directly to a specific section:

If Sixth Semester Data Has Been Submitted for a Student, Why Do They Not Appear on the Student List Eligibility Screen or as an Early Announced Scholar?
When Is Sixth Semester Data Due?
For the Early Announcement Process, Where Is the "Run Selection" Box Located?
How Are Corrections Made after State Scholars Have Been Named for a High School?
How and When Are Appeals Submitted?
Where Can I Find More Information about the State Scholar Process?
(includes Reminder Regarding Certificates of Achievement)

If Sixth Semester Data Has Been Submitted for a Student, Why Do They Not Appear on the Student List Eligibility Screen or as an Early Announced Scholar?

  • Only students for whom ISAC has successfully matched college entrance exam results will display on the Student List Eligibility screen and – for participating high schools – be considered during the early announcement process.
  • If a student's record does not appear on the Student List Eligibility screen or has not been considered during the early announcement process:
    • The high school should confirm that the student took an entrance exam (ACT or SAT) during the required timeframe (i.e., between August 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024).
      • If an entrance exam was taken during the required timeframe, then – after final State Scholar announcements have been made in late November – an appeal, including the student’s Test Score report, should be submitted to ISAC.
        • Only Test Score reports provided from the testing company will be accepted (ISAC cannot accept school system reports).
        • Appeals should not be submitted until after the final State Scholar announcements have been made (appeals submitted prior to that time will be held and reviewed after final announcements have been completed).
      • If an entrance exam was not taken during the required timeframe, then the student is not eligible for 2025-26 State Scholar consideration.

When Is Sixth Semester Data Due?

In order to ensure students are considered for 2025-26 State Scholar designation, submit sixth semester data to ISAC no later than Friday, November 1, 2024.

For the Early Announcement Process, Where Is the "Run Selection" Box Located?

  • High schools choose whether to include their eligible students for consideration in the early processing cycle.
    • Checking the "Run Selection" box (located on the "State Scholar Program: Search By School: Results" screen of the SSP system) allows the high school's students to be included for consideration in the next round of 2025-26 State Scholar announcements.
    • For high schools that submit sixth semester data via an Excel spreadsheet, the "Run Selection" checkbox becomes available to check after ISAC has processed the file and resolved any discrepancies.
      • An e-mail is sent to the high school's Primary Administrator (principal) and the School Contact (as listed in the SSP system's "State Scholar Program: Search by School: Results" screen) to indicate when the "Run Selection" box is available to check.
      • Before checking the box, be sure to review all submitted student data for accuracy.
    • For high schools that use the online process, the "Run Selection" box will be available immediately. The school simply needs to check the "Run Selection" box once the final sixth semester data has been submitted.

How Are Corrections Made after State Scholars Have Been Named for a High School?

Once a high school's State Scholars have been announced, changes to already-submitted data (for example, correcting the spelling of a name, or reporting that a student was designated as a State Scholar in error) must be submitted in writing to School Services via: a fax to 847.831.8549; an e-mail to isac.schoolservices@illinois.gov; or, regular mail to ISAC's Deerfield address.

How and When Are Appeals Submitted?

Where Can I Find More Information about the State Scholar Process?

The following resources provide additional information about the State Scholar Program, including submitting sixth semester data, participating in the early announcement process, accessing Certificates of Achievement* and validating State Scholar badges:

* Reminder Regarding Certificates of Achievement

Effective beginning with the announcement of 2025-26 State Scholars, ISAC no longer prints Certificates of Achievement. Rather, Certificates of Achievement are printed by the high school.

High schools have the option of downloading and printing Certificates of Achievement as soon as their Scholars have been named.

You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups for Counselors.

If you have any questions, please contact School Services by sending an e-mail to isac.schoolservices@illinois.gov or calling 866.247.2172.