Need-Based Grant Programs

• Monetary Award Program (MAP)  [Part 2735]
• Monetary Award Program Plus (MAP Plus)  [Part 2734]
• Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program  [Part 2736]
• Student to Student (STS) Program of Matching Grants  [Part 2770]

Military Programs

• Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program  [Part 2730]
• Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program  [Part 2733]

Teacher Education Programs

• Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program  [Part 2751]
• Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program  [Part 2764]
• Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program  [Part 2765]
• Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program  [Part 2763]
• Nurse Educator Scholarship Program  [Part 2759]
• Nursing Education Scholarships [Part 2749]
• Optometric Education Scholarship Program  [Part 2741]
• Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship (PDTS) Program  [Part 2762]
• Teach Illinois Scholarship Program  [Part 2768]

Special Criterion Programs

• Adult Vocational Community College Scholarship Program [Part 2745]
• AIM HIGH Grant Program  [Part 2766]
• College Savings Bond Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG) Program  [Part 2771]
• Community College Transfer Grant (CCTG) Program  [Part 2740]
• Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program  [Part 2746]
• Grant Program for a Child Raised by Grandparent  [Part 2738]
• Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers  [Part 2731]
• Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers  [Part 2732]
• Grant Program for Exonerees  [Part 2743]
• Grant Program for Medical Assistants in Training  [Part 2742]
• Grant Program for Participants in SIU-C Achieve Program  [Part 2739]
• Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Grant Program  [Part 2737]
• Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program  [Part 2750]
• Police Training Academy Job Training Scholarship Program  [Part 2744]
• Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program [Part 2747]

High School Scholarship Programs and College Planning/Outreach

• College Planning Act  [Part 2774]
• Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Program  [Part 2761]
• State Scholar Program  [Part 2760]

Loans and Loan Forgiveness Programs

• Alternative Loan Program  [Part 2721]
• Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Program  [Part 2769]
• Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program [Part 2753]
• Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)  [Part 2720]
• Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program  [Part 2752]
• Illinois Teachers and Child Care Providers Loan Repayment Program  [Part 2767]
• John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program  [Part 2754]
• Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program  [Part 2758]
• Public Interest Attorney Loan Repayment Assistance Program  [Part 2756]
• School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program  [Part 2748]
• Veterans' Home Medical Providers’ Loan Repayment Program  [Part 2757]

Prepaid Tuition Program

• Illinois Prepaid Tuition Program  [Part 2775]

Administrative/General

• Administrative Wage Garnishment  [Part 2722]
• Americans With Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure  [Part 1400]
• General Provisions  [Part 2700]
• Information Requests  [Part 5376]
• Limitation, Suspension and Termination (L,S&T) Proceedings  [Part 2790]
• Public Information, Rulemaking and Organization  [Part 5375]

When you think about education after high school like a degree or a certificate program, money might feel like the biggest worry. College can be expensive, but with good planning and the right support, you can usually find ways to pay for your education that won’t break the bank!

While families usually have the primary responsibility to pay for college, many families find they cannot cover all the costs, and that’s okay. There are many types of financial aid that can help you and your family fill the gap between the money you can afford to contribute, and the actual costs of college. Financial aid can help pay for direct costs like tuition, fees, and books. It can also help with other costs like housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses.

Plus, financial aid isn’t just for a 2- or 4-year degree! It can also help pay for technical schools, trade schools, and job training programs. Check out all the resources and programs that can help you on your path to education after high school.

Find More Resources

ISAC could not deliver our financial aid programs or support students on their path to education after high school without the collaboration and dedication of our partners. 

• Financial Aid Administrators that help make postsecondary education possible for students and help deliver ISAC scholarship and grant programs 
• High school counselors supporting their students through the college planning and financial aid process
• Educators and administrators building a college-going mindset within their institutions
• Non-profit partners supporting students in the high school to postsecondary education to career transitions
• Foundations that support students and families and ISAC’s work
• Local communities innovating to support students and families
• Employers who support graduates and borrowers
• Sister agencies and the Governor’s Office
• College and Financial Aid Networks
• And many more. 

In this section our partners can find ISAC tools and free resources they need to help them deliver and better understand ISAC programs, support financial aid application completion, learn new professional skills, implement Postsecondary and Career Expectations frameworks in their middle or high school, order free ISAC materials for their schools and students, and join networks and communities of practice to inspire innovation and collaboration.

This page provides access to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s administrative rules, including current rules in effect, proposed rules and amendments, and archived rules from previous years. Administrative rules explain how ISAC implements statutes and administers its programs. 
ISAC enacts rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act [5 ILCS 100].

ISAC Agency Rules Coordinator
If you have any questions about ISAC administrative rules, including how to find information or submit public comments, please contact the ISAC Agency Rules Coordinator at [email protected].

Adopted Rules

To access adopted rules for current and recent academic years, click on the appropriate link(s) in the Administrative Rules section menu.

Latest Rules Updates

The following adopted rules were published in the Illinois Register (Volume 50, Issue 28) on July 10, 2026. 

Read the full text of these rules at ilsos.gov

Summaries of the changes:

• Part 2743: Grant Program for Exonerees and their Dependents – Revises program name and adds allowances for dependents of exonerees to receive benefits.
• Part 2749: Nursing Education Scholarship – Updates the sections in the Part, removes redundancies and consolidates language for easier readability.
• Part 2750: Illinois Graduate and Retain our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program – Updates applicant eligibility criteria pertaining to academic performance and clarifying definitions.
• Part 2752: Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program – Clarifies the employment eligibility at time of application.
• Part 2753: Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program – Adds a definition of behavioral health professional and updates applicant eligibility criteria.
• Part 2755: Journalism Student Scholarship Program – New Part. Promulgates the rules for the 2025-26 Journalism Student Scholarship Program.
• Part 2776: Workforce Development through Charitable Loan Repayment Program – New Part. Promulgates the rules for the 2025-26 Workforce Development through Charitable Loan Repayment Program.

Federal Laws

Higher Education Act

• Titles I, II, and III (General Provisions, Teacher Quality Enhancement and Institutional Aid)
• Title IV, Parts A and B (Student Assistance; Grants, FFELP)
• Title IV, Parts C through H (Student Assistance; Work Study, Direct Loans, Perkins Loans, Need Analysis, General Provisions for Student Assistance, and Program Integrity)
• Titles V, VI and VIII (Developing Institutions, International Education Programs, and Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement Programs)

Education Matters is a multi-dimensional movement, awareness campaign, and community of practice initiated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Education Matters for students and families and for the social and economic health of our state. Education matters because it is the foundation on which opportunity is built. It strengthens families, fuels local economies, and helps build and nurture thriving, resilient communities. When education is prioritized and accessible to all, everything else becomes possible.

Helping students and families make informed decisions about education after high school is central to the ISAC mission. Through public awareness campaigns, statewide outreach, direct service via the ISACorps, and an array of communication tools, ISAC strives to provide accessible and comprehensive information about postsecondary options in Illinois.

Education Matters are at the intersection of nearly every public policy issue in today’s world. Convening stakeholders statewide and across professional practices is essential to identifying issues and building solutions that move Illinois forward. Through training and professional development, statewide convenings, professional networks, and extensive public-facing communication, ISAC supports practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders in informed and collaborative discourse and action.

Education Matters because every learner matters. Every pathway matters. Every decision, every innovation, every act of support matters. Join us, because together, we can shape a better future for all of us.

Fall Education Matters Outreach Campaign

Our intensive fall outreach campaign to support students and families who are completing financial aid and college applications continues as the Education Matters Illinois Fall Campaign.

We invite schools and community partners to join the 2026-27 Education Matters Fall Campaign!  

To be considered an Education Matters Partner for the 2026-27 school year, schools and community-based organizations agree to host a college application workshop and a financial aid application completion workshop between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

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

Image

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.

• Already Participating? Log in to GAP Access to view your Class of 2026 progress.
• Join the Initiative: If your school isn't signed up yet, principals can register through our automated system at the GAP Access portal.
• Questions? Reach out to ISAC Partner Services at 866.247.2172 or [email protected].

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!

Customized Training for Your Team

We are happy to tailor our sessions to meet the specific needs of your organization. While our online request form is currently under maintenance, we are still accepting requests via email!

To Request a Training: Please send a detailed description of your needs to [email protected]. To help us provide the best support, please include:

• Topic: What specific area of college access or financial aid would you like us to cover?
• Logistics: The preferred date, time, and location (in-person or virtual) of your event.
• Audience: A brief note on who will be attending (minimum of 10 participants).

Note: Requests are filled based on staff availability and recently offered public sessions.