ISAC Student PortalISAC Update
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| Financial Aid Directors | |
| ISAC Update |
Welcome to the October 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 October.
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.
Register for ILASFAA Fall Workshop by October 31
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 October 30, 2024.
The Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) will be hosting a one-day Fall Workshop presented at two different locations. ILASFAA is inviting all professionals that engage with student populations and families to attend the workshop. There will be a 2024-2025 NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential session, which includes all course materials and covers the cost of the exam (valued at $99.00!). There will be an update provided by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), as well as a session on the HOUSE Liaison requirements set forth by the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act.
Dates and Locations:
Friday, November 15th
Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL
https://www.waubonsee.edu/
Tuesday, November 19th
Rend Lake College, Ina, IL
https://www.rlc.edu/
Time: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Registration will be open from 8:30 a.m. until the workshop starts at 9 a.m. Lunch will be included.
Cost: The registration fee is $50/person.
Registration: You may register by clicking on this link or by visiting the ILASFAA website (ilasfaa.org)! The deadline to register is October 31, 2024.
Registration is open to all current ILASFAA members. Non-members can renew their memberships by logging into the portal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to ILASFAA's Training and Professional Development Committee Chairs via e-mail at adavis11@illinois.edu (Alexiss Underwood) or Sherry.Schonauer@Illinois.gov (Sherry Schonauer).
Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
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 October 25, 2024.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to make you aware of the following information, which may be of interest to you and/or your students.
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:
2025-26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)
2024-25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025)
2023-24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
By December 1: Anticipated 2025-25 FAFSA® Availability
In an electronic announcement from late September (GENERAL-24-119), the U.S. Department of Education indicated that, effective since October 1, 2024, a small number of students are able to submit the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, and Federal Student Aid (FSA) is processing the corresponding Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs). This limited beta phase is expected to continue through late November 2024.
The application is anticipated to be available to all students on or before December 1, 2024. ISAC plans to release the 2025-26 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid to coincide with the date that the FAFSA is fully made available to all students in December.
The e-Library's 2025-26 FAFSA Completion area will continue to be updated as details are released regarding the 2025-26 federal process for requesting financial aid.
Students and families seeking information can be directed to the Financial Aid: Completing the FAFSA area of ISAC's website – which will also be updated as information becomes available – and the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov).
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.
MAP Start-up Formula
At its September 19, 2024 meeting, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission approved a start-up formula for 2025-26 academic year MAP grants, with a maximum award of $8,400. Additional details regarding the formula are provided in a September 23 e-Message.
Required School-Issued Award Notification Language
The required language for school-issued 2025-26 MAP award notifications is available, and may be accessed via the MAP Award Announcements area.
November 30: iGROW Tech Scholarship Applications Due
In order to receive priority access to funding, the application process for the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program – including the 2024-25 iGROW Tech Scholarship Application/Work Agreement/Promissory Note and either the 2024-25 FAFSA or the 2024-25 Alternative Application – must be completed and submitted on or before Saturday, November 30, 2024.
December 6: First-term Claim Deadline for MAP
2024-25 MAP first-term payment requests (i.e., claims) are due on or before December 6, 2024.
When submitting claims, remember that ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2024-25 MAP grants for all students whose initial 2024-25 FAFSA is received by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application is received by ISAC, on or after August 21, 2024.
Future updates – including, once determined, the claim deadline dates for subsequent terms – will be announced via our usual means of communication: the FAA Message Board; the MAP Program News page; and/or ISAC's e-Messaging system.
December 31: Fall-term Claim Deadline for ECACE Scholarship
Fall-term claims for the 2024-25 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program are due on or before Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Further details are provided in a September 24 e-Message.
December 31: First-term Claim Deadline for MTI and Golden Apple
First-term claims for the 2024-25 Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship and Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois (Golden Apple) programs are due on or before Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Further details are provided in e-Messages dated September 19 (MTI) and September 11 (Golden Apple).
Future updates – including, once determined, the priority claim deadlines for subsequent terms – will be announced via our usual means of communication: the FAA Message Board; the MTI Scholarship and Golden Apple "Program News" pages; and/or ISAC's e-Messaging system.
Continue Certifying MTI Eligibility
Colleges are encouraged to continue certifying eligibility for 2024-25 MTI Scholars on a daily basis.
Further details are provided via the Certification Procedures for MTI page, the MTI User Guide, and an August 5 e-Message.
December 31: Fall-Term Social Work Scholarship Claims Due
2024-25 Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship payment requests for the fall term can be completed online and submitted electronically to ISAC via the Social Work Scholarship Program (SWSP) system. The priority payment request deadline for the fall term is Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
December 31: Fall-Term Deadline to Report Benefit Usage Data for IVG and ING Grant
An August 13 e-Message announces that ISAC is accepting fall-term benefit usage data for the 2024-25 Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant programs.
IVG and ING Grant data for the fall term is due on or before Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Benefit usage data for the IVG and ING Grant programs is submitted to ISAC by colleges via the benefit usage functionality within each program's system, allowing colleges to report enrollment hours and dollar amounts for initial, in-district and out-of-district benefit usage by students, as well as adjustments to previously-submitted data. Even though ISAC may not be able to fully reimburse institutions for 2024-25 IVG or ING Grant awards, reporting of benefits used must still take place so that usage can be accurately reflected on students' accounts.
Continue Certifying NES Eligibility
Colleges are reminded to continue certifying eligiblility for 2024-25 Nursing Education Scholarships (NES) using the NES system. Effective since the 2023-24 NES processing cycle, certification takes place prior to the awarding process (similar to the certification process of the MTI Scholarship Program). Further details are provided in an October 1 e-Message.
2024-25 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
Although ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2024-25 MAP grants (for all students whose initial 2024-25 FAFSA is received by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application is received by ISAC, on or after August 21, 2024), these 2024-25 applications remain available online. Please inform your students that – if not already done – an application should be completed and submitted as soon as possible by students who will be attending college between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance. The suspension of 2024-25 MAP award announcements does not impact any other financial aid programs.
Submit Outstanding Balances Due to ISAC
Notifications detailing the outstanding amount that must be refunded to ISAC for the 2023-24 programs listed below were e-mailed to financial aid directors in early August, with a due date of September 30, 2024. Even though that deadline has passed, outstanding amounts still must be refunded. If not already done, review the information in the notification and return the appropriate amount – along with a completed Gift Assistance Programs Refund Check Form – as soon as possible.
Details about returning funds to ISAC and the payment offset and reconciliation process are provided in the Refunds and Unpaid Claims section of the FAA – Processes area.
Coming Soon: Reporting Enrollment Verification Data for ISAC-Administered Teacher Education Programs
ISAC anticipates the functionality for colleges to submit 2023-2024 enrollment verification data, for students who previously received funds from ISAC-administered teacher programs, will be available soon.
Watch for more details – including when ISAC begins accepting enrollment verification data, and the date by which it will be due – in a future e-Message.
Upcoming Webinars for FAAs
Plan to attend the following webinars for financial aid administrators:
- Wednesday, October 30, 2 p.m. – Monthly Operational Update and Program News
- Tuesday, November 12, 10 a.m. – A Review of the Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant and the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Programs
- Wednesday, November 27, 10 a.m. – Monthly Operational Update and Program News
To participate, visit the Partner Training page in the e-Library to access the webinar link and presentation materials, both of which will be posted on the day of each session. Registration is not required.
ILASFAA Offering In-Person Fall Workshops in November
Be sure to register for these upcoming training opportunities, being offered by the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA), by clicking on the link(s) below:
- November 15, 2024 – Fall Workshop at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove
- November 19, 2024 – Fall Workshop at Rend Lake College in Ina
The cost to attend the workshop is $50 per person.
Save these dates: the 2025 ILASFAA Annual Conference – Together Towards Tomorrow – is scheduled to take place March 26-28 in East Peoria. Mark you calendar, and watch for further details in the coming months.
December 5: Next Commission Meeting
The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Further details, including a listing of tentative agenda items, will be available prior to the meeting via the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area.
The Commission Meeting Schedule page will soon be updated with information regarding all meetings scheduled in 2025.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Tuesday, November 5 – General Election Day
- Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 29 – Day after Thanksgiving
- Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas
- Wednesday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
Processing Schedules
Although ISAC staff will be unavailable on the days listed above, all systems for ISAC-administered programs within the GAP Access portal will be available during regularly scheduled hours. For MAP and other programs administered through components of the GAP Access portal, results for payment requests submitted from 5 p.m. (CT) the business day prior to the holiday through 5 p.m. (CT) the business day following the holiday will be available via the appropriate program's system on the morning of the second business day after the holiday.
Click on the following link to access holiday processing schedules for all systems within the GAP Access portal.
For Assistance
Access the Financial Aid Administrators area anytime, or send an e-mail message to School Services. 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).
October 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 October 2, 2024.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will offer the following webinars for financial aid administrators during the month of October.
- Tuesday, October 8, 10 a.m. – A Review of the iGROW Tech Scholarship Program, Grant Programs for Dependents of Police-Fire-Correctional Officers, and the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program
- Wednesday, October 30, 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.
Certify 2024-25 Nursing Education Scholarships (NES)
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Business Officers, and NES Schools on October 1, 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 2024-25 Nursing Education Scholarships (NES).
2024-25 Certification Data Being Accepted
Effective today (Tuesday, October 1, 2024), colleges may certify 2024-25 NES eligibility using the NES system.
In order to ensure qualified applicants are considered when awarding takes place (anticipated for early November), colleges are encouraged to complete and submit all certifications by October 25, 2024.
What's New
- The 2024-25 NES certification process includes a new field for the college to indicate if a student who is already credentialed in nursing is now pursuing a higher degree.
- If an award recipient completed a certificate, diploma or degree program for which they received scholarship assistance, and they are now pursuing a higher level of education:
- they will be considered a new applicant, and
- their maximum available years of assistance will be based on the maximum for the new degree being sought.
- If an award recipient completed a certificate, diploma or degree program for which they received scholarship assistance, and they are now pursuing a higher level of education:
Reminders
- NES certification takes place prior to the awarding process [similar to the certification process of the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program].
- NES certification is done for the academic year (rather than by term).
- Colleges verify recipients' enrollment status as part of the payment request process, which will be implemented later this year after awarding (anticipated for early November) 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) 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 NES 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 ISIR transaction reflecting the revised SAI has been received.
- The SAI field is grayed out (not accessible) for non-Title IV institutions that do not receive ISIRs. ISAC will populate that data element for non-Title IV schools, using the most recent ISIR transaction.
- 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 NES system is available each day from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. (CT).
The NES User Guide includes details regarding functionality to certify student eligibility for this program, as well as an explanation of cyclical program processes.
Looking Ahead
When 2024-25 NES payment processing becomes available later this year (after awarding has taken place), the following procedures – which were implemented during the 2023-24 processing cycle – will remain in effect:
- Awarded funds that had been disbursed directly to students as a "stipend" in the 2022-23 and earlier academic years are now included as a living allowance in the scholarship amount requested by and paid to the college.
- Funds resulting from each payment request submitted via the NES system are delivered to the college in a lump sum (either electronically or as a check, depending on how the college has set up their payments), rather than as individual checks for each student.
- Payment Offset and Reconciliation procedures apply to Nursing Education Scholarships.
- Refund checks should not be sent for cancellations/adjustments made throughout the award year.
- Funds should only be returned to ISAC after a final reconciliation has been completed at the end of the regular school year.
Future Updates
Watch for future 2024-25 NES updates – including details about awarding and the payment process, once available – via our usual methods of communication (including the NES Program News area, the FAA Message Board, and ISAC's e-Messaging service).
Financial Aid Directors Invited to Attend ILASFAA Workshop on November 4
Sent on October 22, 2024.
The Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) will host its annual Financial Aid Director's Workshop on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (CT), at Parkland College in Champaign, IL.
This workshop will address key topics and questions that pertain to Financial Aid Directors. Registration is open to ILASFAA members only. Non-members may renew their membership via the ILASFAA member portal.
For additional information, or to register for the event, please visit the ILASFAA website at ilasfaa.org.
September 2024 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on October 1, 2024.
The September 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 September 2024 ISAC Update include:
- Don't Forget to Register for the College Access Symposium!
(sent September 30, 2024) - Call for Proposals Has Been Extended!
(sent September 25, 2024) - 2024-25 ECACE Scholarship Awarding and Payment Implementation
(sent September 24, 2024) - 2025-26 MAP Start-up Formula Approved
(sent September 23, 2024) - 2024-25 MTI Updates: Awarding and Payment
(sent September 19, 2024) - Register Now for the 2024 College Access Symposium!
(sent September 17, 2024) - Gateway Scholarship Program Available for Early Childhood Education and Child Development Coursework and Degrees
(sent September 16, 2024) - Commission Meeting Thursday, September 19 – Executive Briefing Friday, September 20
(sent September 13, 2024) - Announcing ISAC Webinars on ECACE Scholarship Program
(sent September 13, 2024) - 2024-25 Golden Apple Updates
(sent September 11, 2024) - Save the Date for the College Access Symposium
(sent September 10, 2024) - September Webinars for FAAs
(sent September 5, 2024) - August 2024 Electronic ISAC Update
(sent September 3, 2024)
