About ISAC

Our mission is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.

ISAC administers most of the state’s financial aid for education after high school. We provide scholarships, grants--including the flagship Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), and loan repayment and forgiveness programs. MAP is one of the largest need-based grant programs in the country.

ISAC offers free help with college planning and financial aid to students and families in almost every community in Illinois. We support students and families with information and resources to explore and apply to education beyond high school. We also help them to navigate the financial aid process so they can pursue the education pathway that is right for them. We support all postsecondary pathways, whether that looks like a two or four-year degree program or a certificate program.

As college access and financial aid experts, we offer professional development and training on these and related topics for school counselors, financial aid professionals, educators, non-profits, and other professionals. We provide extensive education-related research support as well as robust data on all ISAC programs.

ISAC is a leader in bringing together communities, institutions, agencies, and other partners to address the changing educational landscape. We lead the Illinois College Access Network, the Education Matters Illinois movement, and host many convenings throughout the year. Through this work, ISAC and our partners are working together to build innovative solutions to support students and families and communities--now and in the future.