State Scholar Program

State Scholar Program: Part 2760 - Administrative Rules

Please review the eligibility, selection, notification, and applicant FAQs areas, above, for general information about the State Scholar Program (SSP).

ISAC is now accepting SSP and One Click College Admit (OCCA) data for students who will be college freshman during the 2027-28 academic year. Submit complete and accurate data as early as possible to support both SSP processing and OCCA matching activities. All data must be submitted no later than July 1, 2026. 

Learn more by reviewing the HIGH SCHOOL DATA SELECTION PROCESS area.

Submitting Sixth Semester Data

ISAC notifies high schools each year when sixth semester data may be submitted for the new SSP cycle (typically beginning in late spring or early summer). High schools use the SSP system within the GAP Access portal to submit data to ISAC.

Selection Process: Details for Counselors

The State Scholar selection process uses a combination of:

• ACT or SAT test scores;
• class rank (if the school ranks students) or unweighted GPA (if the school does not rank); and
• class size.

Illinois public colleges and universities cannot require students to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission. However, to be considered for State Scholar designation, students must take either the ACT or SAT during the designated testing period (August 1 – June 30). ISAC must receive all scores from tests taken during that period.

Testing companies usually send scores to ISAC in late summer each year. If ISAC receives more than one score for a student, the highest score will be used.

State Scholar Finalists

State Scholar Finalists are students who have been designated State Scholars.

• Students from almost every Illinois high school take part in the program, and Finalists attend public and private colleges and universities across the state.
• Finalists are recognized for their strong college entrance exam scores and outstanding high school performance – both signs of their potential to succeed in college.
• Being named a State Scholar is a significant achievement and an important honor on a student’s academic record.

Refer to the USER GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS for more information regarding data submission, the selection process, the early announcements option, and identifying State Scholar finalists. 

Appeals

If one or more students at your high school appear to meet the State Scholar eligibility requirements but were not selected, an appeal may be submitted. Appeals must be received by ISAC within 60 days following the final announcement of State Scholars each year. 

Find specific details about the appeal process in the SSP FAQs FOR PARTNERS. 

Want to learn more about SSP? Find additional details to assist as you administer this program in the SSP FAQs FOR PARTNERS.

You may also want to review the SSP FAQs FOR APPLICANTS. 

For other questions, contact Partner Services by calling 866.247.2172 or emailing [email protected] . 
 

Rules

• Administrative Rules 
  • State Scholar Program: Part 2760 

User Guide

User Guide for High School Programs 

FAA Special Processes for Program Administration

• Transmitting Data
  • GAP Access Two-Factor Authentication 
  • SSP and OCCA Data Exchange Layout 
  • SSP and OCCA File Upload Template 
• Illinois SSP Sixth Semester Academic Information Request 
• 2026-27 Sample SSP Congratulatory Letter 
• 2026-27 Sample Press Release
• 2026-27 SSP Appeal Template 

GAP Access User Verification

• GAP Access Portal User Guide