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 

Reminder: 2026 FAFSA® Symposium taking place March 24, 2026! Call for Proposals now open, deadline extended!

March 3, 2026

Our Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ®) Symposium session proposal form will now remain open until Friday, March 13, 2026! Session guidelines can be found on the session proposal form.
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

2026-27 NES Application Due April 30

March 2, 2026

The application for the 2026-27 Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) is now available.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators NES Schools

Save the Date for the 2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Symposium! Call for Proposals now open!

February 25, 2026

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

Workforce Pell: Preliminary Information

February 18, 2026

With the passage of Workforce Pell as part of Public Law 119-21 last year, we know that many members of the financial aid community are awaiting details on how the program expansion will be implemented in Illinois. Preliminary information about the process is below, including a link to a form where you can submit questions or comments.
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

Last Seats: Disengaged Teen Author Event

February 17, 2026

We're writing with a reminder to register for our upcoming author event featuring Rebecca Winthrop, Ph.D., and to let you know that only a few seats remain.
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

Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC - FAAs

February 13, 2026

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to share information which may be helpful to financial aid administrators and/or your students.
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

Register Now for Success Network Conference

February 11, 2026

Reserve your spot! The countdown is on for the February 26 conference at Moraine Valley Community College. With cross-sector collaboration at the heart of this year's theme, you'll find sessions designed for every stakeholder in the college and career success ecosystem.
Counselors Principals, Superintendents, Administrators High School Counselors, Teachers FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators

ISAC Monthly Webinar for FAAs on February 25

February 10, 2026

Plan to join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) at 2:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, February 25, 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

Registration is Open for the 2026 ILASFAA Conference

February 10, 2026

Join us at the ILASFAA Annual Conference, March 9–11, 2026, at The Westin Chicago Lombard in Lombard, Illinois. Please join us for a conference packed with valuable knowledge and insights, inspiring and motivational sessions, policy updates, professional development opportunities, and maybe some Stranger Things!
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

Join Us: The Disengaged Teen Book Talk

February 2, 2026

In partnership with the Family Action Network, ISAC is pleased to host Rebecca Winthrop, Ph.D., author of "The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better," at the ISAC Deerfield office on February 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
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