ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Partner News & Updates

Newsletters & Emails

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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Students & Parents  
Counselors & Advisors  
Financial Aid Administrators  
Community Partners 

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

Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy!

April 13, 2026

Don't forget to register and join ISAC for a webinar to hear about this great opportunity! The ISAC Transcript Exchange is available at no cost at all Illinois public and private high schools!
Counselors Principals, Superintendents, Administrators High School Counselors, Teachers College Admission Counselors Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants

There's still time to register for PaCE Curriculum Training!

April 9, 2026

The PaCE Curriculum empowers students to discover who they are, explore exciting career pathways, and build the skills that set them up for future college and career success. Join us for a collaborative professional development experience where we'll dive into the updated 6th-8th grade PaCE lessons together.
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

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