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 

Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC - Students

February 13, 2026

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to share information which may be helpful to students and their families.
Students & Parents Students

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

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

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

February is One Click College Admit Month: 4 Easy Ways to Support the Class of 2027

February 6, 2026

February is One Click College Admit (OCCA) Month , and this is a great time to help your Class of 2027 take a simple, no-cost step toward college admission – before the May 22 OCCA opt-in deadline .
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

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

Limited Release of 2025-26 MAP Suspense

January 30, 2026

Since the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) became available, ISAC staff has been monitoring and analyzing MAP application volume and projected claim rates. As a result of that analysis and in order to not overcommit program funds, ISAC suspended the announcement of 2025-26 MAP awards for all applications with a receipt date after June 5, 2025.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators MAP Users Business Officers

2025-26 MAP Late Claims Update

January 29, 2026

Based on our current analysis, payment has been approved for 2025-26 MAP late claims received through the date noted below for the first-term. As a reminder, first-term claims are considered late if submitted after December 5, 2025.
FAAs Financial Aid Directors Financial Aid Administrators MAP Users Business Officers

2026-27 SETTW Program Application Available

January 27, 2026

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to make current teachers, as well as students planning to become teachers, aware of the availability of the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program application for the 2026-27 academic year.
Students & Parents Students Teaching Professionals, Education Major Students

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

January 22, 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