ISAC Student PortalISAC Communiqué
Volume 35, Number 10C
April 2026
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| High School Counselors/Teachers | |
| ISAC Communiqué |
Welcome to the April 2026 ISAC Communiqué, which is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout April.
The articles in this electronic Communiqué have been organized according to the Counselor subscription groups to which the messages were distributed.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this electronic Communiqué can be directed to Partner Services by calling 866.247.2172 or sending an email message to [email protected]. On occasion, you may be directed to a specific contact person or area; when this occurs, we will provide the appropriate information in the individual article or message.
Join Us for One Click College Admit Professional Development Opportunities
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on April 23, 2026.
ISAC offers free professional development opportunities for counselors and school staff who would like a walkthrough of OCCA, including key timelines, frequently asked questions, how to support students through OCCA, and information on the data collection process.
Join us for our upcoming OCCA webinars:
- May 1, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- May 18, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Reminder: Students have until May 22 to submit their opt-in form.
If you're not able to attend, all webinars are recorded. Visit ISAC's website to view the library of past webinars.
Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative System Enhancements
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on April 17, 2026.
Dear Colleagues,
As part of our continuous efforts to better support you in guiding students through the financial aid process, we have made two enhancements to the Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative system in the GAP Access portal.
New FAFSA Status Indicator
Often, high school seniors mistakenly file a financial aid application [Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid] for the current academic year instead of their first year of college – for example, a Class of 2026 senior filing an application for 2025-26 rather than 2026-27 – preventing a successful data match in the system.
To address this, a new Incorrect FAFSA Year Filed status has been added to the "FAFSA Status" column in GAP Access, making it easier for counselors to identify and notify those students so they can file the correct application.
Admin Waiver Now Available
The 2025-26 administrative waiver became available in GAP Access on April 1, 2026. This waiver allows school administrators to grant exceptions to students as a last resort when all efforts to assist them in completing a financial aid application or Nonparticipation Form have been exhausted, ensuring students can meet Illinois' graduation requirement without being denied the ability to graduate.
Fostering Unity for Rural Education Webinar
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on April 16, 2026.
Please join the Illinois Education and Career Success Network for a free, virtual discussion on how rural schools, colleges, industry, and community organizations can work together to support student achievement and community resilience. All schools face challenges in preparing students for life beyond graduation, yet the ways these shared challenges affect schools vary widely by geography. Rural and small schools face unique challenges in providing the same quality of educational opportunities and access as suburban and urban districts. Nearly 20% of Illinois students attend rural or small-town schools, which account for 57% of all Illinois public school districts. While these districts are community hubs that contribute to a sense of local identity and economic vitality for a significant part of the state, they require intentional support from all sides to fully serve in these roles.
At a free webinar on Monday, April 27, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (CT), join us for an open discussion on fostering unity for rural education. Share your input on how rural schools, communities, higher education, industry and business, and third-party organizations can work together to support student achievement and community resilience. Please register here to participate.
2026 CCE: Education Matters
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on April 15, 2026.
July 16, 2026 | Tinley Park, IL
www.collegechangeseverything.org
Because education matters, and everything about education matters.
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.
Education is consequential, transformative and urgent; it is the ladder of opportunity that helps transform lives. And, matters of education – the systems, policies, and barriers – require our attention and collective action.
Whether you work directly with students or are a part of shaping the systems they navigate, CCE 2026 is your opportunity to be part of that conversation, not as a passive observer, but as a contributor, change agent, and student advocate as we explore:
- Which policies are quietly harming our students, and how do we work within imperfect systems while simultaneously pushing to change them?
- How do we dismantle the visible and invisible barriers that prevent students from accessing the education they deserve?
- How do we move from isolated programs to scalable institutional change that allows us to build educational ecosystems where innovation is not the exception, but the expectation?
- If education truly matters, what are we willing to change about our institutions, our practices, and ourselves, to prove it?
Come ready to be challenged, inspired and most importantly, to act.
Call for Proposals: Due May 15, 2026
The most powerful moments at the CCE Conference happen when practitioners step to the front of the room and say: here is what I tried, here is what I learned, and here is what changed because of it. We invite you to be that voice by submitting a session proposal to help turn good ideas into real change for students. Please click here to access the session proposal form.
We welcome proposals that speak to the full landscape of college access, completion, and career readiness and demonstrate how your work contributes to what matters most: meeting the evolving needs of our students, closing the gaps that stand between them and success, and sharing honest, practical lessons learned that move our field forward. Priority consideration will be given to session proposals completed and submitted by May 15, 2026. For more details on submitting a proposal, please visit the conference website.
Please share this invitation with colleagues in your organization and across your networks – the more voices in the room, the richer the conversation. We look forward to seeing you and those you bring with you on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois.
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Providing Illinois students with information and assistance
to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.
Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, and Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants on 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!
The ISAC Transcript Exchange, powered by Parchment, provides the opportunity for high school students to request their transcripts and other credentials be sent electronically to the college(s) of their choice, the Common App, and other organizations requesting transcripts (e.g., scholarship providers and third-party verifications).
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is highlighting the importance of every high school in Illinois developing and submitting a “school profile” as part of a new initiative from the state of Illinois aimed at helping Illinois students apply to colleges and universities. Research shows detailed information in a profile can help admission officers more fairly evaluate students’ accomplishments, thus promoting more equitable admission outcomes. You can learn more about this initiative and access the ISBE School Profile Toolkit on ISBE’S website.
ISAC can assist in having your school profiles submitted to colleges and universities directly through the ISAC Transcript Exchange.
The ISAC Transcript Exchange - Parchment Preview
Join us on Thursday, April 16th, from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. (CT) to learn about the ISAC Transcript Exchange, how to navigate the student and administrator dashboards, and gain efficiencies by switching from paper to electronic transcripts. Attendees will hear directly from a school professional on how the ISAC Transcript Exchange has made a difference at their school and for their students.
To register, visit the Professional Development Offerings page.
For questions on ISAC's Transcript Exchange, contact [email protected].
Note: ISAC will not be offering Continuing Education or Professional Development hours for this webinar.
There's Still Time to Register for PaCE Curriculum Training!
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on April 9, 2026.
2400 West Bradley Avenue
Student Union, Room U140 Champaign, IL
Tuesday, April 21
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration: Eventbrite
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. You'll experience the activities firsthand, see how they spark curiosity and connect to high school benchmarks, and leave with a clear roadmap for guiding your students. Walk away with fresh tools, engaging strategies, and the confidence to support a smooth and successful transition from middle school to high school!
Registration is open through April 19 or until capacity is reached.
For questions, reach out to [email protected].
Reminder for Science Meets Wisdom: Virtual FAN Event
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admissions Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on April 1, 2026.
Dear Colleagues,
This is a friendly reminder to join us for an engaging and thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Family Action Network (FAN), exploring what it truly means to thrive in today's world.
FAN will present Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving, featuring the book's authors:
- Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D. – William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds
- Cortland Dahl, Ph.D. – Contemplative Scientist and co-founder of the Center for Healthy Minds and Chief Contemplative Officer at Humin
This meaningful conversation will be moderated by ISAC's very own Jacqueline Moreno, Chief Service Officer, bringing a trusted and familiar voice to guide the discussion.
Together, they will explore how cutting-edge neuroscience and ancient contemplative practices can help individuals build resilience, reduce stress, and cultivate lasting well-being. These insights are especially relevant for those supporting students and communities.
Event Details:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
12:00 p.m. CT
Free and open to the public (appropriate for youth 12+)
Bonus Book Giveaway: FAN is giving away copies of Born to Flourish to randomly selected Zoom attendees. Details are provided on the webinar registration page.
Register here: www.bit.ly/DDFANWebinar
As a proud sponsor of this FAN event, ISAC is excited to uplift this conversation and highlight the leadership of Jacqueline Moreno in bringing these insights to our community.
We hope you'll join us.
HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS/TEACHERS
2026-27 MAP Suspense: For Applications Received After April 23
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers on April 20, 2026.
Links in this message are to corresponding pages at ISAC's website (isac.org) unless otherwise noted.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (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.
Each year, once projections indicate that demand is close to exceeding the anticipated availability of limited MAP dollars, ISAC suspends award announcements. Suspense means that MAP-eligible students who complete an application after April 23, 2026, will be put on a waiting list for MAP funding. If ISAC determines that additional grants can be offered, they will be announced based on the order in which the applications were received. Students have through April 23, 2026 to submit their applications before being put on the waiting list for MAP.
Any 2026 high school graduates with whom you may be in contact should still be encouraged to submit a FAFSA or Alternative Application as soon as possible if they plan to be enrolled in college for the 2026-27 academic year.
Every year, there are students who do not use their MAP awards, and — if appropriated dollars remain after all eligible recipients who completed an application prior to the suspense date have received their awards — those who file after April 23 and meet the MAP eligibility requirements may have an opportunity to receive those unused dollars. If this occurs, eligible students who complete their FAFSA or Alternative Application earliest will receive first consideration.
Because the FAFSA is also used to determine eligibility for other forms of federal, state, and institutional assistance, students who file after the MAP suspense date and meet the eligibility requirements for federal Pell Grants can still receive that funding for fall. In addition, there may be other ISAC grant and scholarship programs, as well as those provided by institutions, that continue to have funding available.
The suspension of 2026-27 MAP award announcements does not impact any other financial aid programs.
In addition, encourage your college-bound students and their families to visit the Students & Parents area at isac.org for information regarding the financial aid process.
You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups for Counselors.
If you have any questions, please contact School Services by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 866.247.2172.
March 2026 ISAC Communiqué
Sent on April 1, 2026.
The March 2026 edition of the ISAC Communiqué is now available for your review, and may be accessed via the Partner e-Messages & Newsletters section of the e-Library for Partners at isac.org.This electronic version of ISAC's newsletter is a compilation of information provided to Counselor partners via ISAC's e-Messaging service over the past month.
Topics covered in the March 2026 ISAC Communiqué include:
- Learn About Workforce Pell: April 6 Webinar
(sent March 31, 2026) - Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy! What are you waiting for?
(sent March 26, 2026) - Science Meets Wisdom: Virtual FAN Event
(sent March 25, 2026) - Don't miss out on upcoming Professional Development opportunities from ISAC!
(sent March 18, 2026) - Registration is now open for the 2026 FAFSA® Symposium!
(sent March 13, 2026) - 2026 FAFSA® Symposium – Join Virtually March 24, 2026
(sent March 6, 2026) - Reminder: 2026 FAFSA® Symposium taking place March 24, 2026! Call for Proposals now open, deadline extended!
(sent March 3, 2026) - February 2026 ISAC Communiqué
(sent March 2, 2026)
Encourage Your Colleagues to Sign Up for e-Messaging
ISAC's e-Messaging service is our primary means of communicating information to Counselor partners.
Encourage your colleagues who have not done so to subscribe through the Counselors e-Messaging sign-up page at isac.org today, so that they won't miss future announcements or updates from ISAC.
