ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Partner News & Updates

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Our emails keep you informed and up-to-date on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s programs and services. Messages are organized by subscription group(s), with the most recent messages appearing at the top.

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MAP Advising Data Updates – Clarification Regarding Data to Report

April 21, 2026

As was previously announced, the collection period for MAP Advising data opened on April 9, 2026. It has since come to our attention that dates provided in the initial announcement did not match what is being requested in the GAP Access portal. The intent of this message to clarify what data colleges are to report. We apologize for any confusion.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators MAP Users Business Officers

2026-27 MAP Suspense: Award Announcements Suspended for all Applications Received AFTER April 23, 2026 - FAAs

April 20, 2026

ISAC is suspending the announcement of 2026-27 Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for applicants whose initial 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is received by the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) or whose initial Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) is received by ISAC after Thursday, April 23, 2026.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators MAP Users Business Officers

2026 CCE: Education Matters

April 15, 2026

Through conversations, storytelling, best practices, and calls to action, the College Changes Everything ® (CCE) Conference offers a space for learning, advocacy, and action. This year, for our 16th gathering, we call upon you to join us with intention, commitment, and passion as we explore this year's powerful and dual-sided theme: Education Matters
Counselors Principals, Superintendents, Administrators High School Counselors, Teachers College Admission Counselors Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants Community Organizations Public Libraries FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs MAP Users Business Officers ECACE Administrators NES Schools

ISAC Monthly Webinar for FAAs on April 29

April 14, 2026

Plan to join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) at 2:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 for a "Monthly Program & Operational Update" webinar for financial aid administrators.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs MAP Users Business Officers ECACE Administrators NES Schools

2026-27 ECACE Scholarship Application Available – Priority Consideration Date: May 31

April 13, 2026

ECACE Scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year are now being accepted. The priority consideration date for the application process to be completed – including submission of the 2026-27 ECACE Scholarship application and the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) – is Sunday, May 31, 2026 .
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators Business Officers ECACE Administrators

Submit MAP Advising Data by July 30

April 9, 2026

Effective Thursday, April 9, 2026, the 2025 collection period for MAP Advising data has opened and colleges may now submit the required information via the GAP Access portal.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators MAP Users Business Officers

Second Limited Release of 2025-26 MAP Suspense

April 7, 2026

ISAC suspended the announcement of 2025-26 MAP awards for all applications with receipt dates after June 5, 2025. Following an analysis completed after the first-term claim deadline, ISAC subsequently released from suspense 2025-26 MAP award announcements for all applications with a receipt date from June 6, 2025 through and including July 1, 2025.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators MAP Users Business Officers

2026-27 Budget Data Due June 1

April 6, 2026

ISAC is now accepting postsecondary institutions' budget information for the 2026-27 processing cycle. This message explains how colleges participating in the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant programs must submit required budget data.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs MAP Users Business Officers