ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Education Planning Services Consumer Protection Act

Legal

The Education Planning Services Consumer Protection Act

The Illinois Education Planning Services Consumer Protection Act, also called the Segura Law, was enacted to protect Illinois residents and their families from predatory and deceptive practices of certain for-profit educational planning service providers. 

 

What is an Education Planning Service Provider?

Education planning service providers are defined by the Act as any “person or entity engaging in or holding itself out as engaging in the business of providing educational planning services in exchange for any fee or compensation, or any person who solicits or acts on behalf of any person or entity engaging in or holding itself out as engaging in the business of providing educational planning services in exchange for any fee or compensation.”

Is ISAC an Education Planning Service Provider?

No. ISAC, institutions of higher education, and not-for-profit organizations like local libraries are not considered education planning service providers under the Segura law. ISAC’s services are offered to all Illinois students completely for free. 

How does the Segura Law protect students and families? 

The Segura law regulates the activities of education planning service providers for the consumer protection of students and families. Among other protections, education planning service providers must now provide certain and specific disclosures to all consumers in two ways:

 

Marketing Communications and Advertising:

First, educational planning service providers must provide the following disclosure in their marketing and communications (both orally and in writing and in any advertising): 

CONSUMER NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FREE SERVICES

General educational planning services may be available free of charge from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and may also be offered by other public or not-for-profit entities, such as a public library or an institution of higher learning.

 

Consumer Disclosure Prior to Contract:

Second, a Consumer Notice and Rights Form must be provided both orally and in writing with the caption in at least 18-point font and the remaining portion in at least 12- point font, to a consumer before the consumer signs a contract for the educational planning service provider’s services.  The form should contain the name and address of the educational planning service provider.

The acknowledgement must be signed and dated by the consumer and the educational planning service provider in duplicate.  The original shall be retained by the service provider and the copy provided to the consumer. 

The form should contain ISAC’s web address.  If the form is electronic, it should contain the live link:  https://www.isac.org/. 

CONSUMER NOTICE AND RIGHTS FORM

AVAILABILITY OF FREE SERVICES

General educational planning services may be available free of charge from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and may be offered by other public or not-for-profit entities, such as a public library or an institution of higher learning.

YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL

If you sign a contract with an educational planning service provider, you have the right to cancel at any time and receive a full refund of all unearned fees you have paid to the provider. You will not be responsible for payment of services that are not fully performed.

IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED OR YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

If you are dissatisfied with educational planning service provider or have any questions, please bring it to the attention of the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I, the consumer, have received from the educational planning service provider a copy of the form titled "Consumer Notice and Rights Form," and I have been provided the Illinois Student Assistance Commission's Internet website address where I can obtain general educational planning services free of charge.

What Free Support does ISAC Provide to Students and Families?

ISAC provides all Illinois students with free educational planning services, including assistance with college and career search and planning, and applying for financial aid. These services can be accessed directly from the home page of ISAC’s website, at www.isac.org.

Audit Committee Agenda Book – September 17, 2026

Audit Committee Agenda Book – September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026
11:00 a.m.

Deerfield Office
3rd Floor – Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, Illinois

 

  1. Announcements
  2. Approval of the Minutes of June 25, 2026 Audit Committee Meeting (Action)
  3. Status Update of Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Audit Plan (Information)
  4. Status Update of Fiscal Year 2027 Internal Audit Plan (Information)
  5. Annual Declaration of Chief Audit Executive Independence (Information)
  6. Discussion of Metrics for Evaluation of Internal Audit Function
    1. Approach – Annual Performance of Internal Audit Function (Information)
      1. Quantitative: IA Performance Metrics – FY26
      2. Qualitative: Job Description
    2. Approach – Annual Self-Evaluation of Audit Committee Performance (Information)
  7. Public Comment
  8. Closed Session: Closed Minutes, Internal Control Weaknesses
  9. Approval of the Closed Session Items
    1. Approval of the Closed Minutes of June 25, 2026 Meeting & Approval to Open (Action)

Agenda Book – September 17, 2026

Agenda Book – September 17, 2026

Joint meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission & Investment Committee

September 17, 2026
1:00 p.m.

Deerfield Office
3rd Floor – Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, Illinois

Springfield Office
3rd Floor Conference Room
500 W. Monroe
Springfield, Illinois

  1. Announcements
    1. Approval of 2027 Meeting Dates and Locations – Commission (Action: Commission)
    2. Approval of 2027 Meeting Dates and Locations – Investment Committee (Action: Investment Committee)
  2. Approval of the Commission and Investment Committee Meeting Minutes
    1. Approval of Minutes of the June 25, 2026 Investment Portion of the Joint Meeting of the Commission and Investment Committee (Action: Investment Committee)
    2. Approval of Minutes of the June 25, 2026 Joint Meeting of the Commission and Investment Committee (Action: Commission)
  3. Commission Appointments
    1. Appointment of Audit Committee Member (Action)
    2. Appointment of Investment Committee Member (Action)
  4. Executive Director's Report (Information)
  5. Monetary Award Program (MAP) Start-Up Formula (Action)
  6. College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investments
    1. Investment Update (Information)
    2. Appointment of Investment Advisory Panel Members (Action: Commission)
    3. Approval of Changes to the Watch List (Action: Investment Committee)
    4. Compliance Review (Information)
    5. Prepaid Tuition Program Update (Information)
  7. Audit Committee Update (Information)
  8. Public Comment
  9. Closed Session: Personnel Evaluation (Review)
  10. Approval of Closed Session Action Item
    1. Personnel Evaluation (Action: Commission)

Audit Committee Agenda Book – April 16, 2026

Audit Committee Agenda Book – April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026
11:00 a.m.

Deerfield Office
3rd Floor – Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, Illinois

  1. Announcements
  2. Approval of Minutes of December 4, 2025 Audit Committee Meeting (Action)
    Action Taken: Approved
  3. Status Update of Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Audit Plan (Informational)
  4. Reassess Audit Committee Charter for Compliance (Action)
    Action Taken: Approved
  5. Public Comment
  6. Closed Session: Closed Minutes and Internal Control Weaknesses
  7. Approval of the Closed Session Items
    1. Approval of the Closed Minutes of December 4, 2025 Meeting & Approval to Open (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved
    2. Approval of Determination Regarding Confidentiality & Verbatim Record Destruction (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved

Audit Committee Agenda Book – June 25, 2026

Audit Committee Agenda Book – June 25, 2026

June 25, 2026
11:00 a.m.

Deerfield Office
3rd Floor – Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, Illinois

  1. Announcements
  2. Approve Minutes of the April 16, 2026 Audit Committee Meeting (Action)
    Action Taken: Approved
  3. Status Update of Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Audit Plan (Informational)
  4. Approve Fiscal Year 2027 Internal Audit Plan (Action)
    Action Taken: Approved
  5. Review and approve Internal Audit Charter (Action)
    Action Taken: Approved
  6. Public Comment
  7. Closed Session: Closed Minutes, Internal Control Weaknesses, and the Chief Internal Audit Officer's compensation for FY27
  8. Approval of the Closed Session Items
    1. Approval of the Closed Minutes of April 16, 2026 Meeting & Approval to Open (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved
    2. Approval of Redetermination Regarding Confidentiality, Amendment and Opening of Closed Minutes (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved
    3. Approval of Destruction of Verbatim Record of the Closed Meeting December 5, 2024 (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved
    4. Approve FY27 Internal Audit budget, resource plan and the Chief Internal Audit Officer’s compensation (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved

Agenda Book – April 16, 2026

Agenda Book – April 16, 2026

Joint meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Investment Committee & Investment Advisory Panel

April 16, 2026
1:00 p.m.

Deerfield Office
3rd Floor – Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, Illinois

Springfield Office
3rd Floor Conference Room
500 W. Monroe
Springfield, Illinois

  1. Announcements
  2. Approval of the Minutes
    1. Approval of the Minutes of the October 23, 2025 Investment Advisory Panel Meeting (Action: Investment Advisory Panel)
      Action Taken: Approved
    2. Approval of the Minutes of the December 4, 2025 Investment Committee Meeting (Action: Investment Committee)
      Action Taken: Approved
    3. Approval of the Minutes of the December 4, 2025 Commission Meeting (Action: Commission)
      Action Taken: Approved
  3. College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investments
    1. Investment Advisory Panel Comments (Informational)
    2. Investment Update (Informational)
    3. Approval of Changes to the Watch List (Action: Investment Committee)
      Action Taken: None Required
    4. Compliance Review (Informational)
  4. Executive Director's Report (Informational)
    Action Taken: Approved
  5. State Legislative Update (Informational)
  6. ISAC Strategic Plan Update (Information)
  7. Audit Committee Update (Informational)
    1. Approve Revised Audit Committee Charter (Action)
      Action Taken: Approved
  8. Public Comment

Agenda Book – June 25, 2026

Agenda Book – June 25, 2026

Joint meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission & Investment Committee 

June 25, 2026 
1:00 p.m.

Deerfield Office 
3 rd Floor – Room 3030 
1755 Lake Cook Road 
Deerfield, Illinois

Springfield Office 
3 rd Floor Conference Room 
500 W. Monroe 
Springfield, Illinois

  1. Announcements
  2. Approval of the joint Commission Meeting Minutes (Action)
    1. Approval of April 16, 2026, investment portion of minutes of the joint meeting of the Commission / Investment Committee / Investment Advisory Panel Meeting  (Action: Investment Committee) 
      Action Taken: Approved
    2. Approval of April 16, 2026, full minutes of the joint Commission / Investment Committee / Investment Advisory Panel Meeting  (Action: Commission) 
      Action Taken: Approved
  3. Executive Director's Report  (Informational)
  4. Legislative Update (Informational)
  5. Approval of Fiscal Year 2027 Monetary Award Program (MAP) Recompute Formula  (Action) 
    Action Taken: Approved
  6. Approval of Proposed Administrative Program Rules and Amendments  (Action) 
    Action Taken: Approved
  7. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Review and Approvals 
     
    1. Approval of the Student Loan Operating Fund (SLOF) Budget (Action) 
      Action Taken: Approved
    2. Approval of the Illinois Designated Account Purchase Program (IDAPP) Budget (Action) 
      Action Taken: Approved
    3. Approval of the College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Budget (Action) 
      Action Taken: Approved
    4. Approval of the GEAR UP Grant Budget (Action) 
      Action Taken: Approved
    5. Contracts for Annual Budget Approval Process (Action) 
      Action Taken: Approved
  8. IDAPP Investment Policy Review and Adoption  (Action: Commission) 
    Action Taken: Approved
  9. College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investments
    1. Prepaid Tuition Program Update (Informational)
    2. Investment Update (Informational)
    3. Approval of Changes to the Watch List (Action: Investment Committee) 
      Action Taken: No action at this time
    4. Compliance Review (Informational)
    5. Asset Allocation Review  (Action: Investment Committee) (Action: Commission)
    6. Investment Policy Review and Adoption (Action: Investment Committee) (Action: Commission) 
      Action Taken: Approved
  10. Audit Committee
    1. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 Internal Audit Plan (Action) 
      Action Taken: Approved
    2. Audit Committee Update (Informational)
  11. Public Comment

FAFSA Completion Initiative - Cloned - REMOVE

Partner Resources

Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative

Completing a financial aid application is the first—and often most critical—step in making life after high school a reality for Illinois students. For those who qualify for both the Federal Pell Grant and the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), completing an application can unlock as much as $15,459 in funding from those programs alone.

We know the work you do to connect students with these resources is life changing. ISAC is here to partner with you every step of the way.

Navigating the Graduation Requirement

Graduation

Under state law, Illinois public high school seniors must complete a financial aid application (the FAFSA® or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid) as part of their graduation requirements.

We understand that every student’s situation is unique, and we provide the tools to help you guide them through their options.

The FAFSA and the Alternative Application are the primary pathways to financial aid. If a student doesn’t file, they won’t know how much financial aid they might be eligible for. That includes money they don’t have to pay back, like scholarships and grants. Completing a financial aid application gives a student options.

However, if a student chooses not to complete an application, parents or guardians can complete a Nonparticipation (Opt-Out) form. Find more information and instructions to complete the form.

Data & Completion Initiative 

Register for our free data-sharing service to save time and target your outreach to students who have not completed their application. Through our GAP Access portal, ISAC provides daily updates to school districts to help you identify which students still need to file.

We begin financial aid application completion tracking for the Class of 2027 in the late fall of 2026 so check back here to see when we start weekly updates!

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Outreach & Direct Support

Need a hand with your outreach? Our ISACorps members are available to provide free direct assistance to your students and families with the entire financial aid process, including completing financial aid applications. And check our Financial Aid Application Toolkit for multiple resources to help you communicate to your students and families the significance of completing an application.

Recognition of Excellence

You and your school’s dedication deserve to be celebrated. Each year, ISAC recognizes high schools that demonstrate exceptional support for their students in helping them access financial aid by completing a FAFSA or Alternative Application.

Four levels of recognition are awarded annually. Honoree schools receive a custom award banner to display on campus, celebrating your commitment each year.

Check out the Class of 2026 Honorees with financial aid application completion rates by school
Review the criteria for Class of 2027 Recognition of Excellence Awards

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Disclaimer: Data provided is compiled from the U.S. Department of Education and other sources. Various matching techniques have been applied to maximize identification of eligible students. The information is based on Illinois high school students who were reported as juniors to the Illinois State Board of Education at the end of the previous academic year. Because this information is dynamic and changes occur on a regular basis, representations may be slightly higher or lower than that shown in an earlier reporting period. 
Questions? Contact ISAC Partner Services at 866.247.2172 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Additional Resources

Get Help & Support
Apply for Financial Aid
FAFSA® Application
FAFSA® Alternative Application
FAFSA® Communication Toolkit!

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