ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Professional Development On-Demand Webinars

Partner Resources

Professional Development On-Demand Webinars

Did you miss one of our live webinars? Recordings of recent webinars offered by the Professional Development team are listed below. Recordings are made available 1-2 weeks after the live session takes place.

DateTopicRecording
9/17/2025State and Federal Updates WebinarView Recording
9/29/2025Career Information System (CIS 360) WebinarView Recording
10/15/2025A Scenario-Based Approach to Financial AidView Recording
10/22/2025Parchment PreviewView Recording
10/28/2025Illinois PaCE Implementation Support and ResourcesView Recording
11/10/2025Career Information System (CIS 360) OverviewView Recording
11/24/2025The Financial Aid Application Completion InitiativeView Recording
1/13/2026Understanding & Supporting First Gen StudentsView Recording
1/27/2026Parchment PreviewView Recording
2/10/2026What's Next After the FAFSAView Recording

Program Expenditures and Recipients by Year

Program Expenditures and Recipients by Year

2024-25 ISAC Program Expenditures

ProgramExpendituresRecipentsYear
Monetary Award Program (MAP)$700,185,916151,2162025
AIM HIGH$41,111,22312,8532025
Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program $4,417,8816932025
Illinois Veteran Grant Program (IVG)$3,005,3941,7792025
Illinois National Guard Grant Program (ING)$2,994,6061,8052025
Grant Program for Dependents of Police/Fire/Correctional Officers$912,715642025
Higher Ed License Plate Program (HELP)$89,9003602025
Grant Program for Exonerees$002025
Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program$7,99612025
Illinois Graduate and Retain our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program$1,312,8071822025
Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship (MTI)$7,761,1421,0962025
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois$3,180,5818712025
Nursing Education Scholarship$3,009,0542372025
Optometric Education Scholarship Program$50,000102025
Post MSW Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program$89,031152025
Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program$6,948,9445622025
Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment Program$202,224452025
John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program$80,792152025
Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program$233,926472025
School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program$303,089472025
Veterans' Home Medical Providers' Loan Repayment Program$26,40072025
Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program$4,308,1133302025
IL Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program$02502025
Illinois State Scholars$016,5682025

MAP Advising Data Collection & Support Programs

FAA User Guidance & FTP Layouts

MAP Advising Data Collection & Support Programs

Each spring, institutions must submit Monetary Award Program (MAP) Advising data about award recipients through the Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal. Institutions must provide ISAC with the following information about their MAP recipients:

  • available advising and support programs, and
  • retention, completion, and graduation rate data.

 

Collection Updates

The collection period for MAP advising data opened on April 9, 2026. Colleges must report the following data no later than July 30, 2026:

  • available advising and support programs (for the 2025-26 academic year) and
  • course completion data (for the 2024-25 academic year).

To make the process easier for schools, the collection of MAP Advising Data is now a biennial process. Schools can anticipate the next MAP Advising collection process during the 2027-28 academic year.

Data Collection Process

Guidance about how to submit the required data is in the MAP Advising Data Collection User Guide. ISAC also collects some data from other sources, including the National Student Clearinghouse and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). This reduces the amount of data that institutions must provide.

Historical information about the creation of the MAP Advising Working Group, resource materials, and the Final Report, is available on the MAP Advising Working Group page.

 

MAP Advising Support Programs Search Tool

ISAC collects information from institutions on their student advising efforts in the MAP Advising Support Program Search Tool. This includes efforts targeted at MAP recipients and freshman students.

Detailed information such as how the program information is delivered and how students engage with the program is collected for student advising and student support programs. The information can help colleges compare their advising efforts to other programs. Comparisons across institutions can also help colleges develop best practices in advising. The search tool allows users to review programs and program results for advising support programs. It can also be used to search for different types of programs at specific institutions.

Select a college or select a program type and college type to see support program descriptions and narrative outcomes.

Schools not listed did not provide information.


Select a

OR

Select a and

 

Additional Resources

Monetary Award Program (MAP)

Research & Reports

Data, Research & Policy Analysis

Research & Reports

MAP Evaluations

These legislatively required program evaluations of the Monetary Award Program provide background and context for MAP and highlight the program’s importance to the long-term educational goals of Illinois students.

MAP Evaluation 2025 (PDF)
MAP Evaluation 2023 (PDF)
MAP Evaluation 2021 (PDF)

AIM HIGH Reports 

These legislatively required program evaluations (through 2025) provide information on background and implementation, recipient awards and demographics, and program impact.

AIM HIGH Grant Program Report – 2025 (PDF)
AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program Report – Year Five (PDF)
AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program Report – Year Four (PDF)
AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program Report – Year Three (PDF)
AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program Report – Year Two (PDF)
AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program Report – Year One (PDF)

Other Research/Reports

Additional Reports and Resources

MAP Advising Working Group Report 2014 (PDF)
MAP Task Force Report 2012 (PDF)
CCM Task Force Report 2023 (PDF)
FAFSA Completion Initiative

Additional Information for Noncitizens

Paying for College

Additional Information for Noncitizens

Graduation

Your citizen status will impact your eligibility for financial aid. In addition to the information below, you should contact the financial aid office of the college or university you are interested in attending to learn more about any programs they might offer for noncitizens. Check back here often. Laws and administrative rules in this area can change rapidly and we will continue to update this page.

 

Eligibility for Federal Programs

A student must be a citizen or eligible noncitizen to be eligible for federal financial aid programs, as determined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The general requirement for eligible noncitizens is that they be in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of being a citizen or lawful permanent resident. The specific eligible statuses are:

  • U.S. citizen or national;
  • U.S. permanent resident;
  • Citizens of the Freely Associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia and the republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands; and
  • Other eligible noncitizens.

The term “U.S. Citizen” includes citizens of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. All U.S. citizens are U.S. nationals. However, not all nationals are U.S. citizens: natives of American Samoa and Swain's Island are not U.S. citizens but are nationals and therefore may receive federal financial aid.

A definition of "eligible noncitizen" is provided at the Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens page of the Federal Student Aid website.

 

Eligibility for State of Illinois Programs

Students who are not eligible for federal student financial aid, including undocumented students, may be eligible to use the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid to apply for state financial aid programs if they meet all the criteria regarding in-state tuition eligibility before they will be enrolling in college. Learn more about eligibility and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

Eligible Noncitizens

Students who are not eligible for federal student financial aid, including undocumented students, may be eligible to use the Alternative Application to apply for state financial aid programs if they meet all the criteria below regarding in-state tuition eligibility at the time of enrollment.

To see how students can meet the criteria, visit Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

Remember that even if you meet the eligibility criteria to use the Alternative Application to apply for state financial aid, that does not mean you will receive state financial aid. Like all students completing either the Alternative Application or the FAFSA,  you still must meet the eligibility requirements for each financial aid program in order to receive aid.

Non-Eligible Noncitizens

For purposes of ISAC programs, a noneligible noncitizen is a student who does not meet either the federal or the state definition of eligible noncitizen and therefore is not eligible to apply for ISAC programs. However, there may be other options available, and you are encouraged to visit the resources listed below.

Noncitizens planning to attend college in the U.S. can find information and assistance, including legal and other support services through the following links:

Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Noncitizens 
IACAC's College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students 
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights 

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

DACA was a program through which undocumented young people brought to this country by their parents could get a temporary reprieve from deportation and receive permission to work, study and obtain driver's licenses. DACA participants voluntarily signed up for the program through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and their status was renewable every two years.

While no new DACA requests are currently being processed, individuals who already have DACA or whose DACA expired less than one year ago can still renew it and their work permits and apply for advance parole. 

As part of our mission to make college accessible and affordable for all families in Illinois, ISAC will continue to support and assist these students by providing information and assistance in navigating the college planning and financial aid processes.

For more information about the DACA program, visit  https://www.uscis.gov/DACA

 

FAQ for DACA Students

For a comprehensive list of FAQs (not necessarily education-related) for those who have or are seeking DACA status, visit https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-of-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca/frequently-asked-questions.

Illinois DREAM Fund

First day

Designed to make scholarships, college savings, and prepaid tuition programs available to undocumented students who graduated from Illinois high schools, the Illinois DREAM Act (Public Act 97-0233) created the Illinois DREAM Fund, and a nine-member Illinois DREAM Commission.

The DREAM Fund Commission is responsible for fundraising for the Illinois DREAM Fund, for creating a not-for-profit entity to administer the Fund, for publicizing the availability of DREAM Fund scholarships, and for selecting scholarship recipients. The DREAM Fund Commission is also responsible for researching issues on access and success of children of immigrants in higher education. The Commission develops and runs training programs for high school counselors and admissions and financial aid staff. Professional development activities for high school counselors are required to include information on undocumented students’ opportunities in postsecondary education.

The Illinois DREAM Act made the State’s 529 college savings and prepaid tuition programs available to Illinoisans with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN), regardless of whether they have Social Security Numbers. This means that those undocumented Illinoisans with ITINs are eligible to participate in the state’s Bright Start college savings plan. (The College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program is no longer available for new participants, but the program continues to operate as usual for current contract holders.)

To receive a scholarship from the DREAM Fund, a student will have to meet the following requirements:

  • must have at least one parent who immigrated to the U.S.,
  • must have lived with a parent or guardian while going to high school in Illinois,
  • must have graduated from that high school or received a GED, and;
  • must have attended school in Illinois for at least three years before graduating or receiving a GED certificate.

For more information about DREAM Fund scholarships, visit the Illinois Dream Fund’s Facebook page.

Additional Resources

Make an Informed College Choice
Get Help & Support

Order ISAC Counselors Materials

Order ISAC Outreach Materials

ISAC Counselors Materials

View all available materials below. Some materials are on back order and will be available soon.

Please Note: Materials are generally updated over the summer in preparation for the fall. In light of that timeframe for updates, please do not order "extra" materials in the spring for the purpose of stocking up for fall.

Some of ISAC's materials are offered as "print only" options because they are not available for order or as an option for those that would like to print the materials themselves in black and white. Please be sure to review the entire order form for all available options.

If you do not have a school code, please enter NA in the school code field. For printed materials, please allow approximately 10 days for delivery. Applications for ISAC-administered scholarships and grants are accessible in the Find ISAC Financial Aid Programs area. 

The date (## / ##) following each publication's name indicates the current version - please discard older versions and order a current supply of the publications. You can download and print a single version of these items by clicking on the name. If you have questions about ISAC's materials, please call Partner Services toll free at 866.247.2172 or send an e-mail message to [email protected].

Counselors Order Materials (Mail & Print)

  • Choose which materials you would like: *
    (see below to view pdfs of all materials available to order)

Order limited edition Get Dollars for College materials, including flyers, posters, and postcards.

Materials Available for Order

One Click College Admit Resources

Self-Serve Print Materials

Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet (F3636)

Order ISAC FAA Materials

Order ISAC Outreach Materials

ISAC Financial Aid Administrator Materials

View all available materials below. Some materials are on back order and will be available soon.

Please Note: Materials are generally updated over the summer in preparation for the fall. In light of that timeframe for updates, please do not order "extra" materials in the spring for the purpose of stocking up for fall.

Some of ISAC's materials are offered as "print only" options because they are not available for order or as an option for those that would like to print the materials themselves in black and white. Please be sure to review the entire order form for all available options.

If you do not have a school code, please enter NA in the school code field. For printed materials, please allow approximately 10 days for delivery. Applications for ISAC-administered scholarships and grants are accessible in the Find ISAC Financial Aid Programs area. 

The date (## / ##) following each publication's name indicates the current version - please discard older versions and order a current supply of the publications. You can download and print a single version of these items by clicking on the name. If you have questions about ISAC's materials, please call Partner Services toll free at 866.247.2172 or send an e-mail message to [email protected].

Financial Aid Administrators Order Materials (Mail & Print)

  • Choose which materials you would like: *
    (see below to view pdfs of all materials available to order)

Materials Available for Order

Self-Serve Print Materials

Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet (F3636)

Order ISAC Student & Parent Materials

Order ISAC Outreach Materials

ISAC Student & Parent Materials

View all available materials below. Some materials are on back order and will be available soon.

Indicates required field

Students and Parents Order Materials by Mail

Order Materials List
Choose which materials you would like: *
(see below to view pdfs of all materials available to order)
 

Materials Available for Order

Self-Serve Print Materials

ISAC 2026 Press Releases

Newsroom

ISAC 2026 Press Releases

July 16, 2026

ISAC Introduces Education Matters to Expand Its Vision for Student Success

Building on the legacy of the College Changes Everything® movement, this reimagining will create a broader platform for future initiatives that strengthen education across Illinois

 

July 14, 2026

Illinois Ranks #2 in the Country for FAFSA Completions

Illinois has jumped nine spots since 2019, solidifying its position as a national leader in supporting FAFSA completion

 

July 13, 2026

ISAC Hosts 16th Annual College Changes Everything® Conference: Education Matters

Postsecondary Access and Success Event on July 16 to Feature Enrique Rodríguez from Univision Chicago and more than 30 Interest Sessions 

 

March 09, 2026

Illinois Continues First-In-The-Nation Free Test Prep Program

Building on Governor Pritzker’s Affordability Agenda, the FY27 Proposed Budget will fund free test preparation courses through June 2027 

 

February 20, 2026

Governor Pritzker’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Continues to Improve College Affordability

44% of Illinois In-State Public University Undergraduates pay zero out-of-pocket for tuition and fees thanks to sustained investments 

 

February 10, 2026

February is One Click College Admit Month! 

Students Can Sign Up for Simple, Stress-Free, No Fees Direct College Admissions

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