JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

ISAC Update

VOL. 41, NO. 12F
June 2024

Messages sent to:   Multiple Subscription Groups
  ISAC Update

Welcome to the June 2024 ISAC Update for financial aid administrators and business officers. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout June.

The articles in this Update have been organized according to the FAA subscription groups to which the messages were distributed.

Questions?

Questions regarding information in this ISAC Update can be directed to School Services at 866.247.2172 or at isac.schoolservices@illinois.gov. On occasion, you may be directed to a specific contact person or area; when this occurs, we will provide the appropriate information in the individual article or message.

MULTIPLE SUBSCRIPTION GROUPS

2024-25 MAP Recompute Formula Approved
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on June 24, 2024.

Summary of June 20 Commission Meeting

The following highlights some of the agenda items included at the June 20, 2024 meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), and any action taken. The complete listing of agenda items is available in the June 20 Agenda Book, which can be accessed from the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area at isac.org.

FY2025 (2024-25 Academic Year) MAP Recompute Formula Approved – Agenda Item 6

Each year, ISAC is responsible for adopting an allocation (or, "start-up") formula for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and then – once the state operating budget has been signed into law – the Commission approves a recompute formula based on the MAP appropriation. At its September 21, 2023 meeting, the Commission approved a start-up formula to enable financial aid administrators to calculate eligibility for applicants planning to attend college in the 2024-25 academic year.

The fiscal year 2025 (FY2025) state operating budget has been approved and signed into law by the governor, and again includes a historic high MAP appropriation (approximately $711 million, which is $10 million more than had been appropriated for 2023-24 MAP awards). Even if FY2025 was a normal year, the appropriation increase would likely support extending award announcements rather than changes in the formula. But, challenges resulting from implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act, along with an extensive overhaul of the federal need analysis methodology that converts Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) data into the Student Aid Index (SAI) that the MAP formula uses as a starting point, have meant that the FY2025 MAP cycle has been anything but typical.

Based on extensive analysis of the impact of FAFSA Simplification and taking into account both the changes in the federal need analysis methodology and the $10 million increase, ISAC staff recommended – and the Commission approved – a recompute formula that is essentially the 2024-25 start-up formula, with some additional clarification that is necessary due to FAFSA Simplification allowing for negative SAIs and parent contributions.

The approved recompute formula is outlined in Table Four of Agenda Item 6 from the June 20 Agenda Book. The formula may also be viewed in the 2024-25 MAP Formula section of ISAC's website, which has been updated to reflect "recompute."

Because the recompute formula mirrors the start-up formula, no changes are required in the MAP system and daily processing of ISIR data continues as usual.

Continue to monitor our established methods of communication (i.e., MAP Program News, the FAA Message Board and this e-Messaging service) for operational updates throughout the year.

Other Items

The following items were also presented to the Commission:

  • State Legislative Update – Agenda Item 5
  • FY2025 Budget Review and Approvals – Agenda Item 8
  • College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investment and Program Updates – Agenda Item 9

Next Meeting

The next Commission meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

Reminder: Executive Briefing Conference Call on June 24
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on June 20, 2024.

This is a reminder that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will host an Executive Briefing conference call for institutional financial aid staff on Monday, June 24, 2024 from 11 a.m. to noon (CT). Executive Director Eric Zarnikow and ISAC staff will provide information about activity that took place at the June 20, 2024 Commission meeting and other ISAC updates, including a review of the 2024-25 Monetary Award Program (MAP) "recompute" formula.

On the day of the briefing, you can gain access through the below link/information, or by visiting the Partner Training page of the e-Library, where access will also be available.

For the audio portion, click on the Audio tab at the top of the page and select one of the available options:

  • For toll-free participation, select the "Call Me" option, enter your phone number, and you will be called. (This is the recommended option.)
  • For "Use Computer Audio" you will need to have a microphone to be able to interact with the briefing. Without a microphone, you will be in listen-only mode.
  • The "Call In" option is not a toll-free number, however, if you are not able to participate through the provided link and the "Call Me" option, but would like to participate only by phone, you can use this toll number: +1-415-655-0002 (USA Toll) and access code 2452 142 5672.

2023-24 Year-End Program Updates
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on June 18, 2024.

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

The following information is being provided to assist colleges with year-end processing for the ISAC-administered programs referenced below. Programs are listed in alphabetical order within each section [Payment Request (Claim) Data and Benefit Usage Data].

PAYMENT REQUEST (CLAIM) DATA

Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program

  • ISAC will continue to accept 2023-24 ECACE Scholarship initial claims and increases to previously-submitted claims for the summer (Term 4 for semester and quarter schools) through (including) Monday, July 1, 2024.
    • As announced in a May 20 e-Message, May 29, 2024 was the last day on which claims for fall (Term 1 for semester and quarter schools), winter (Term 2 for quarter schools), and spring (Term 2 for semester schools; Term 3 for quarter schools) were accepted.
  • Adjustments to cancel or reduce previously-submitted ECACE Scholarship claims will continue to be accepted for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.*
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the ECACE system will become available for historical view only.**

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program

  • ISAC will continue to accept 2023-24 Golden Apple initial claims and increases to previously-submitted claims for all terms through (including) Monday, July 1, 2024.
  • Adjustments to cancel or reduce previously-submitted Golden Apple claims will continue to be accepted for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.*
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the Golden Apple system will become available for historical view only.**

Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

  • ISAC will continue to accept 2023-24 MTI Scholarship initial claims and increases to previously-submitted claims for all terms through (including) Monday, July 1, 2024.
  • Adjustments to cancel or reduce previously-submitted MTI Scholarship claims will continue to be accepted for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.*
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the MTI system will become available for historical view only.**

Monetary Award Program (MAP)

  • Although the priority claim deadline dates for all terms of the 2023-24 academic year have passed, ISAC will continue to accept and hold 2023-24 MAP initial claims and increases to previously-submitted claims for all terms through (including) Monday, July 1, 2024.
    • See the June 7, 2024 e-Message for information regarding payment of some late claims.
    • ISAC will notify colleges if sufficient MAP funds remain available to pay additional late claims.
    • Colleges are encouraged to continue the process of reconciling 2023-24 MAP data, which assists ISAC staff in determining whether sufficient funds will be available to pay additional late claims.
  • Adjustments to cancel or reduce previously-submitted MAP claims will continue to be accepted for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.*
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the MAP system will become available for historical view only.**
  • June 5, 2024 was the last date on which:
    • 2023-24 Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) data was received from the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) and reflected in the MAP system; and,
    • the 2023-24 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid was available for students to complete and submit to ISAC.

Nursing Education Scholarships (NES)

  • ISAC will continue to accept 2023-24 NES initial claims and increases to previously-submitted claims for all terms through (including) Monday, July 1, 2024.
  • Adjustments to cancel or reduce previously-submitted NES claims will continue to be accepted for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.*
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the NESP system will become available for historical view only.**

Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program

  • ISAC will continue to accept initial claims and increases to previously-submitted claims for all terms of the 2023-24 Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program through (including) Monday, July 1, 2024.
  • Adjustments to cancel or reduce previously-submitted claims for this program will continue to be accepted for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.*
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship system will become available for historical view only.**

* Continue Reconciling Data

Remember, due to the payment offset process, only data reconciliation activities should take place at this time for the 2023-24 ECACE Scholarship, Golden Apple, MTI Scholarship, MAP, NES and Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship programs. After ISAC determines that all payment processing is final, colleges with an outstanding amount owed to ISAC will receive an e-mail notice indicating the total amount to be returned for each program. Until then, no funds should be returned to ISAC.

BENEFIT USAGE AND DATA

Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program

  • The ING Grant system will continue to accept 2023-24 benefit usage data for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.
    • Although ISAC is unable to reimburse institutions for 2023-24 ING Grant awards and all deadline dates have passed, reporting of enrollment hours must still take place as soon as possible so that benefit usage (i.e., eligibility units) can be accurately assessed to students' accounts.
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the ING Grant system will become available for historical view only.**

Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program

  • The IVG system will continue to accept 2023-24 benefit usage data for all terms through (including) Friday, August 2, 2024.
    • Although ISAC is unable to reimburse institutions for 2023-24 IVG awards and all deadline dates have passed, reporting of enrollment hours must still take place as soon as possible so that benefit usage (i.e., eligibility units) can be accurately assessed to students' accounts.
  • Effective Monday, August 5, 2024, 2023-24 data in the IVG system will become available for historical view only.**

** As a reminder, reports continue to be available for colleges to access after data has been moved to historical view. However, after submitting claims or adjustments and/or reporting benefits used, colleges are encouraged to always review the Payment/Benefits Results Exceptions report that is available the next business day. Refer to the appropriate program's "Payment" area (located in the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area) to view information regarding a report for tracking payment vouchers and warrants.

Space Filling Up Fast
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on June 18, 2024.

2024 College Changes Everything Conference

Register Now!

Community is an important element of a student's learning because learning is a matter of belonging as well as an intellectual process. A healthy community helps create the social fabric for learning and belonging. Register now to attend the 2024 College Changes Everything® (CCE) conference as we foster connections to strengthen the communities to which we all belong. We're excited to bring together stakeholders from across the state to explore adaptable and scalable strategies to create meaningful impact to address the issues and systemic barriers limiting college access and success and career readiness for our students. Be part of the vibrant CCE community by attending this year's conference and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from others working on similar challenges as you, as well as share your expertise and experiences. More information about the conference is available on the conference website, including an updated agenda with more interest sessions.

We look forward to seeing you on July 18th at the Tinley Park Convention Center, located at 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL, and connected to the EVEN Hotel Chicago-Tinley Park Convention Center. We have secured a conference hotel rate of $159.00 before tax and fee charges. You can book a reservation by phone at 708-444-1100 and mention "ISAC/College Changes Everything Conference" to get the rate, or you can book online here. The conference rate is available for reservations made by June 26, 2024.

Please share the information in this e-Message with colleagues in your organization and others in your network.

2024 College Changes Everything Conference Planning Committee

  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education
  • Illinois Community College Board
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Illinois Department of Employment Security
  • Illinois State Board of Education
  • Illinois College Access Network
  • Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
  • Advance Illinois
  • Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
  • ACT Now
  • Women Employed
  • iCan Dream Center

The College Changes Everything® Conference is sponsored
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Helping Illinois reach its Goal 2025: to increase the proportion
of adults in Illinois with high-quality college degrees and
postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025.

CCE

Countdown to June 30: Navigating Federal Student Loan Debt Relief
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on June 17, 2024.

The Department of Education extended the temporary changes for borrowers on Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and/or pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to receive credit for some previously ineligible payments. The IDR Account Adjustment will now end on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

There are three webinars remaining to learn about this opportunity and how to navigate the process! All webinars are in Central Time, and we are offering a dedicated Q&A session where you can come get your questions answered. For registration details, visit the Professional Development Calendar. For questions, contact isac.borrowersupport@illinois.gov.

Webinar Dates:

  • Thursday, June 20, 2 – 2:45 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 26, 12 – 12:45 p.m. (Q&A Session)
  • Friday, June 28, 9 – 9:45 a.m.

Commission Meeting Thursday, June 20 – Executive Briefing Monday, June 24
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on June 14, 2024.

The next regular meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. Those interested in attending the meeting in person may do so at either the ISAC Deerfield or Springfield office location; see below for addresses. There will be no videoconference access to the meeting from ISAC's website.

Some of the items on the tentative agenda are:

  • Fiscal year 2025 Monetary Award Program (MAP) recompute formula
  • State Legislative update
  • Institutional Application for ISAC Gift Assistance Programs participation
  • Fiscal Year 2025 budget review
  • ISAC Strategic Plan update
  • College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program investment and program updates

The Agenda Book, providing the complete listing of agenda items, will shortly be posted on the 2024 Agenda Books page, which is located within the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area of isac.org. The online Agenda Book will be updated within 1-2 days following the meeting to reflect action taken.

Executive Briefing Conference Call – Monday, June 24

An Executive Briefing conference call is scheduled for Monday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to noon for institutional financial aid staff. Executive Director Eric Zarnikow and ISAC staff will provide information about activity that took place at the Commission meeting and other ISAC updates.

Commission Meeting Sites

Deerfield office
1755 Lake Cook Road
Conference Room 3030, 3rd floor
Deerfield
Enter through the east door and check in at the desk

Springfield office
500 West Monroe
Conference Room, 3rd floor
Springfield
Enter from the rear parking lot through the east door, use the elevator or stairs

ISAC Program FY25 Funding – Budget Bills Approved
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on June 11, 2024.

Governor Pritzker has signed SB 251 (operating budget bill) and HB 4959 [budget implementation bill (BIMP)], which together provide funding and statutory authority for Illinois programs and services, including ISAC's programs for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Both bills were approved by the General Assembly a few days past the session's scheduled adjournment date, in the early morning hours of May 29, and were then forwarded to the governor for signature.

The bills are now considered law and are officially Public Act 103-0589 and Public Act 103-0588 (before considering printing, please note the document length; the text for P.A. 103-0588 is not yet available).

The overall budget for the upcoming academic year is a positive one for ISAC programs, with most programs receiving funding that is level with last year, while some will see increased funding. One of the biggest highlights is another significant increase ($10 million) to the Monetary Award Program (MAP), which again represents historic funding for the program. Additionally, the budget includes first-time funding for two programs created last year and increased spending authority for an existing program. For the first time since FY12, the budget includes funding ($6 million) for ISAC to reimburse public universities for a portion of the tuition and fees that have been waived on behalf of eligible veterans and guard members through the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant programs. [As in recent years, the budget also includes a little more than $4.2 million for the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to reimburse Illinois community colleges for the costs associated with the same programs.]

Also part of budget legislation, the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program will receive state funding for the first time, after the initial years of the program having been supported by federal funds. Because the $5 million FY25 state appropriation is considerably lower than the amount of federal funding that had been available for the program, the number of recipients in 2024-25 will likely be significantly limited, and the program is expected to be able to support only a portion of renewal applicants.

FY25 ISAC Program Appropriation Highlights

MAP – $711,566,200 (increase)
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois – $10,750,000
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship – $8,000,000
Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment – $7,500,000 (increase)
IVG and ING Grant reimbursement – $6,000,000 (new funding)
Social Work Scholarship/Repayment programs (combined appropriation) – $6,000,000
Human Services Professional Loan Repayment – $5,250,000 (new funding)
ECACE Scholarship – $5,000,000 (new state funding)
Nursing Education Scholarships (NES) – $4,000,000
Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship – $2,000,000 (new funding)
Dependents of Police, Fire or Correctional Officers – $1,300,000
Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship – $1,100,000
Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment – $975,000
Nurse Educator Loan Repayment – $500,000
Grant Program for Exonerees – $150,000
Veterans' Home Medical Providers' Loan Repayment – $26,400
AIM HIGH Grant – $50,000,000*

* AIM HIGH funds are disbursed in lump sums by ISAC to public universities.

With the approval of the budget, program implementation and operational activities for the 2024-25 academic year will begin to move forward. As always, we will regularly provide updates and processing details regarding each of our programs as we proceed through the year.

2023-24 MAP Late Claims Update
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on June 7, 2024.

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

The following information is being provided to assist colleges in the close-out process for the 2023-24 Monetary Award Program (MAP).

Payment of Late Claims

In order to best leverage available funds by assisting the greatest number of eligible students without overspending program appropriations, ISAC staff monitors both payment request (i.e., claim) rates and remaining funding levels throughout the year.

Based on our current analysis, payment has taken place for 2023-24 MAP late claims received through the date noted below for each term. As a reminder: first-term claims are considered late if submitted after December 8, 2023; second-term claims are considered late if submitted after March 22, 2024; and, third-term claims are considered late if submitted after May 3, 2024.

Payment results are now available in the MAP system for:

  • first-term initial claims and increases that were received from December 9, 2023 through (including) February 5, 2024;
  • second-term initial claims and increases that were received from March 23, 2024 through (including) May 20, 2024; and
  • third-term initial claims and increases that were received from May 4, 2024 through (including) May 30, 2024.

Information regarding how to access payment results is provided in the "Payment" chapter of the MAP User Guide.

Continue Submitting Claims and Reconciling Data

  • Continue to report adjustments for all terms – including initial claims, increases and decreases to previously-submitted claims, and cancellations.
    • You will be notified as deadline dates are established for reporting 2023-24 MAP adjustments.
  • Colleges are encouraged to complete the process of reconciling 2023-24 MAP data as soon as possible.
    • As part of the payment offset process, timely processing of cancellations and decreases will affect your institution's 2023-24 MAP "Due to ISAC" amount.
      • Only data reconciliation activities should take place at this time.
      • After ISAC determines that all payment processing is final, colleges with outstanding funds "Due to ISAC" will receive an e-mail notice indicating the total amount to be returned (anticipated to be sent to financial aid directors later this summer). Until then, no funds should be returned to ISAC.

Next Steps

ISAC will continue to monitor institutions' claims and adjustments and the remaining appropriations and – based on the analysis of that data – decisions will be made regarding whether additional 2023-24 MAP late claims will be paid. Updated information will be shared with you via the usual means of communication (i.e., the MAP Program News page, the FAA Message Board, and ISAC's e-Messaging service).

June Webinars for FAAs
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on June 4, 2024.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will offer the following webinars for financial aid administrators during the month of June.

  • Tuesday, June 11, 10 a.m. – ISAC Terminology, Definitions and Processes
  • Wednesday, June 26, 2 p.m. – Monthly Operational Update and Program News

To participate, visit the Partner Training page in the e-Library on the day of the event to access the webinar link and presentation materials.

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ISAC UPDATE

May 2024 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on June 3, 2024.

The May 2024 edition of the ISAC Update is now available for your review, and may be accessed via the Partner e-Messages & Newsletters section of the e-Library for Partners at isac.org. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent to financial aid administrators and business officers via ISAC's e-Messaging service over the past month.

Topics covered in the May 2024 ISAC Update include:

  • CCE Conference Preliminary Agenda Available
    (sent May 31, 2024)
  • Countdown to June 30: Navigating Federal Student Loan Debt Relief
    (sent May 22, 2024)
  • Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
    (sent May 21, 2024)
  • 2023-24 ECACE Payment Update: Terms 1, 2, and 3 Claims Now Due; Summer Term Claims Being Accepted
    (sent May 20, 2024)
  • Don't Forget: Spring into Action Webinars
    (sent May 13, 2024)
  • Invitation to 2024 CCE Conference
    (sent May 9, 2024)
  • May Webinars for FAAs
    (sent May 2, 2024)
  • April 2024 Electronic ISAC Update
    (sent May 1, 2024)

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