JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

Certify 2024-25 iGROW Tech Scholarships

11/13/2024

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

The following provides important updates regarding the 2024-25 Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program.

2024-25 Certification Data Being Accepted

Effective today (Wednesday, November 13, 2024), colleges may certify 2024-25 iGROW Tech Scholarship eligibility using the iGROW system.

In order to ensure qualified applicants are considered when awarding takes place, colleges are encouraged to complete and submit all certifications as soon as possible, and preferably before December 15, 2024.

Reminders

  • iGROW Tech certification takes place prior to the awarding process [similar to the certification process of the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program].
  • iGROW Tech certification is done for the academic year (rather than by term).
    • Colleges verify recipients' enrollment status by term as part of the payment request process, which will be implemented after awarding has taken place.
  • As part of the certification process, Title IV institutions must provide the applicant's Student Aid Index (SAI).
    • Enter a value from 0 [zero] through 999999.
    • Report the SAI from the valid Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) or Alternative Application Student Record on which a student's financial aid would be based, as of the date that certification is completed (i.e., the date the college submits iGROW Tech Scholarhips certification data to ISAC).
    • If changes are pending that will impact the student's SAI (e.g., corrections, verification, or professional judgment reviews), the college may choose to postpone submitting certification data for the student until after the transaction reflecting the revised SAI has been received.
  • All certification records available in the system must be completed, regardless of whether the college certifies a student as eligible or ineligible and regardless of whether the student is currently enrolled.
  • The iGROW system is available each day from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. (CT).

The iGROW Tech User Guide, which will be available soon, will include details regarding functionality to certify student eligibility for this program, as well as an explanation of cyclical program processes.

Future Updates

Watch for future 2024-25 iGROW Tech updates – including details about awarding and the payment process, once available – via our usual methods of communication (including the iGROW Tech Program News area, the FAA Message Board, and ISAC's e-Messaging service).

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

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