Delivered
September 23, 2026
The following actions were taken at the September 17, 2026 meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. You can find a listing of all agenda items in the September 17, 2026 agenda book, located in the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of ISAC's website (isac.org).
FY28 (2027-28 Academic Year) MAP Start-up Formula Approved – Agenda Item 5
Because the fiscal year 2028 (FY28) state budget process has not started yet, staff assumed that the Monetary Award Program (MAP) will receive the same amount as the FY27 appropriation of $721.6 million. The Commission approved using the following FY27 recompute formula elements in the start-up formula for 2027-28 MAP grants:
- 2021-22 reported tuition and fees;
- the 2021-22 Pell Grant Payment Schedule;
- a $5,200 living allowance; and,
- an $8,400 maximum award (with an effective maximum of $8,064 after the 4% reduction).
Details of the approved start-up formula can be found at ISAC's website, in the MAP section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
Information about implementation of the FY28 MAP start-up formula will be communicated in a future message.
Encourage Students to Submit 2027-28 FAFSA® or Alternative Application
Encourage students to submit the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as soon as the applications become available to all students (expected on October 1, 2026). ISAC staff monitors application volume throughout the year to ensure that MAP awarding fits the available funding.
Continue to check the MAP Program News area and the FAA Message Board for future operational updates.
Additional Items
The Commission also approved these items:
- 2027 Meeting Dates – Agenda Item 1
- College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Updates – Agenda Item 6
Next Meeting
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2026.