ISAC Student PortalISAC Communiqué
Volume 35, Number 8C
February 2026
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| ISAC Communiqué |
Welcome to the February 2026 ISAC Communiqué, which is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout February.
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.
Save the Date for the 2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® ) Symposium! Call for Proposals now open!
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 February 25, 2026.
We are excited to invite you to our sixth annual FAFSA Symposium!
The FAFSA Symposium is a one-day event taking place March 24, 2026, at Illinois Central College for attendees to learn about best practices for supporting students through the financial aid process. We look forward to seeing you!
Registration for the symposium is $25 and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and symposium materials. Advance registration is required. Walk-in registration is not available. For more information about the symposium, visit the FAFSA Symposium page.
Call for Proposals
We invite school counselors, college and career staff, financial aid administrators, community-based organizations, and other college-access professionals who support students and families through the financial aid process to submit a session proposal to present at the FAFSA Symposium!
Our session proposal form is now open and will close Thursday, March 5, 2026. Session guidelines can be found on the session proposal form.
For questions, contact [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you there!
Last Seats: Disengaged Teen Author 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 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.
In partnership with the Family Action Network, ISAC is pleased to host Rebecca Winthrop, author of The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better, on February 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the ISAC Deerfield office.
In this timely conversation, Rebecca Winthrop will share key insights from her book on how schools and education systems can better support student engagement by fostering agency, purpose, and real-world connections. The discussion will be followed by a discussion and Q&A with attendees. Learn more at https://www.thedisengagedteen.com/.
Winthrop is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and the author of several books on education. Her research focuses on global education, with particular attention to the skills young people need to thrive in work, life and civic engagement.
She currently leads the Brookings Global Task Force on AI in Education and co-leads the Family Engagement in Education Network. Previously, she served as chair of the U.N. secretary-general's Global Education First Initiative Technical Advisory Group, helping to shape an education vision centered on access, quality and global citizenship.
More information on Rebecca Winthrop:
https://www.brookings.edu/people/rebecca-winthrop/
Space is extremely limited, and registration is required. Registration closes Thursday, February 19, 2026, or sooner if capacity is reached.
Register Now to secure one of the few remaining seats.
Special Offer: The first 100 registered attendees will receive a signed copy of The Disengaged Teen.
Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
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 February 13, 2026.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to share information which may be helpful to you and/or your college-bound students.
Links in this message go to ISAC's website (isac.org) unless otherwise noted.
You may scroll through this message, or click a link to go to a specific section:
2027-28 (July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028)
2026-27 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
May 22: One Click College Admit Opt-in Deadline
February is One Click College Admit (OCCA) Month, making it the perfect time to help the Class of 2027 take a simple, no-cost step toward college admission. Make sure your college-bound juniors are aware that May 22, 2026 is the OCCA opt-in deadline. Refer to the February 6, 2026 "February is One Click College Admit Month" e-Message to learn about four easy ways you can plug OCCA into what you are already doing this spring. The e-Message also provides dates and times for upcoming "OCCA Overview" webinars.
By June 30: High School Juniors Take College Assessment Exams for State Scholar Consideration
Eligibility for the State Scholar Program (SSP) is based, in part, on a student's highest qualifying ACT or SAT score. High school juniors who are potential candidates need to take one of the accepted exams during the specified timeframe to be considered for State Scholar designation, even though Illinois' public institutions are prohibited from requiring the submission of student test scores as part of the admissions process.
For students who are high school juniors during the 2025-26 school year, only exams taken between August 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 qualify for consideration in the State Scholar announcements that will be made during their senior year (i.e., high school juniors, who will be college freshmen during the 2027-28 academic year, will be named Scholars during the fall of 2026). Further details are provided for students at the State Scholar Program page within the Students & Parents area.
February 13: State Scholar Appeal Deadline
More than 19,100 qualified Illinois high school students were designated as 2026-27 State Scholars last fall.
In order to ensure there are no errors in the announcement of State Scholars, counselors are encouraged to carefully review the sixth-semester roster data they submitted to ISAC. Appeals regarding the announcement of 2026-27 State Scholars must be received at ISAC no later than February 13, 2026.
Further details are provided in the December 15, 2025 "2026-27 State Scholars Announced" e-Message.
March 1: Illinois SETTW Priority Application Consideration Date
Remind your college-bound seniors who plan to pursue a career in teaching that March 1, 2026 is the priority application consideration date for the 2026-27 Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program. In order to complete the SETTW application, the student must log in to the ISAC Student Portal (if they have not already done so, they may create a profile here).
Complete applications received after March 1 will be considered only if available tuition waivers remain after all timely complete applicants have been awarded.
April 30: NES Applications Due
The Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) application period each year starts on March 1 and continues through April 30. Make sure your graduating seniors who plan to enroll in a nursing program are aware that NES applications for the 2026-27 academic year must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 30, 2026. In order for the application to be considered complete, the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) must also be submitted.
FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
The 2026-27 FAFSA remains available online, and – if not already done – should be completed as soon as possible by students who will be attending college between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, as well as several other forms of federal, state and institutional financial assistance.
In addition, the 2026-27 Alternative Application is also available (in English and Spanish). Further details are provided at ISAC's Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act page.
Encourage your college-bound students to check out the Financial Aid Planning area for information regarding resources that are available to help them complete the financial aid process.
Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative and Nonparticipation Form
All Illinois public high school students are required to complete either the FAFSA or the Alternative Application as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. Please see ISAC's Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative page, as well as the November 4, 2025 "2026-27 Financial Aid Application Completion Data Available" e-Message, for more information.
Students and/or parents who choose to not complete either the FAFSA or the Alternative Application may complete the Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. A student and/or parent will need to create a profile to complete and sign the Nonparticipation Form.
February 26: Success Network Conference
If you have not already done so, register today for the 13th annual Illinois Education and Career Success Network (Success Network) conference – Stronger Together: Creating Opportunity for Every Learner – being held on February 26, 2026, at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. Further details, including access to online registration, are provided in the February 11, 2026 "Register Now for Success Network Conference" e-Message.
April 16: Next Commission Meeting
The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Further details, including a listing of tentative agenda items, will be available prior to the meeting via the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission section of the About ISAC area.
Visit the Commission Meeting Schedule page for information regarding all meetings scheduled in 2026.
Professional Development Opportunities
Be sure to attend our free professional development events that are taking place throughout the spring. Visit the Upcoming Professional Development Offerings page for specific details, including topics, dates, and registration. Send questions to [email protected].
Holiday Schedules
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, February 16, 2026 – Presidents' Day
- Monday, May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day
- Friday, June 19, 2026 – Juneteenth
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
Processing Schedules
The SSP system remains available on holidays during regularly-scheduled hours.
For Assistance
Access the Counselors area anytime, or send an email message to Partner Services at [email protected]. We will review and respond to messages during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CT).
Register Now for Success Network Conference
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on 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, including:
- A Comprehensive Approach to Understanding and Improving Chronic Absenteeism – Holistic exploration of factors contributing to chronic absenteeism and practical strategies for addressing it
- Bridging the Gap: Cross-Sector Collaboration for Student Success – Spotlights two Leadership Communities' innovative partnerships that prepare students for postsecondary success
- Dual Credit through Intercampus Collaboration – Learn how Illinois Eastern Community Colleges brings dual-credit instruction to rural high school students across four campuses
- From Classroom to Career: Navigating Postsecondary Futures with Artificial Intelligence – Explore fun and practical ways to teach AI literacy and prepare students for the future of work
- Illinois' Apprenticeship Expansion Framework: Systems Building for Career-Connected Learning – Discover emerging supports and tools for expanding apprenticeships as sustainable pathways
- Understanding Young People's Perceptions of College – New research exploring what drives and deters the next generation of college students
Secure your registration before February 24 at noon – register here. Professional development and continuing education hours are available.
February is One Click College Admit Month: 4 Easy Ways to Support the Class of 2027
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 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.
Here are four easy ways you can plug OCCA into what you're already doing this spring:
- Order free OCCA materials (mailed directly to you)
Use ISAC's online order form to request any of the following – at no cost:
- FAQs for Counselors flyer (F3856)
- OCCA Info flyer (F3857)
- OCCA Postcard (F3860)
- OCCA Workshop Toolkit (not for order; self-service download and print)
Perfect for counselor offices, junior meetings, or student handouts. - Use ready-to-go OCCA resources
- Brief OCCA Opt-in Walkthrough Videos
Visit the OCCA resource page to access:
- A recorded informational webinar for counselors
- Student FAQs you can share directly with juniors and families
- Bring OCCA to your students – with help
Your local ISACorps member can:
- Talk to students about OCCA
- Host an info table or short presentation during:
- Junior parent night
- Report card pickup
- Your school's college fair
- Refer students for 1:1 support
Students who want help can book a free one-on-one virtual meeting with an ISACorps member at www.isac.org/Booking.
Want additional support? Join an OCCA Webinar
ISAC offers free professional development trainings for counselors and school staff who would like a walkthrough of OCCA, including key timelines, frequently asked questions, and how to support students as they move through the process.
Upcoming OCCA Webinars
| One Click College Admit (OCCA) Overview February 20, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
| One Click College Admit (OCCA) Overview March 20, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT) |
| One Click College Admit (OCCA) Overview April 14, 9:00-10:00 a.m. (CT) |
| One Click College Admit (OCCA) Overview May 1, 12:00-1:00 p.m. (CT) |
| One Click College Admit (OCCA) Overview May 18, 9:00-10:00 a.m. (CT) |
View upcoming sessions and register on the ISAC Professional Development Offerings page.
Why encourage students to opt in?
Students who opt in to OCCA:
- Automatically receive an application fee waiver
- Get college admission information in mid-September of their senior year
A few minutes now can remove barriers later – and help students start senior year with real college options in hand.
Thank you for all you do to support your students' postsecondary plans!
Join Us: The Disengaged Teen Book Talk
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 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.
In "The Disengaged Teen," Winthrop examines how schools and education systems can better support student engagement by fostering agency, purpose and connections to real-world challenges. She will share key insights from her book, followed by a discussion and Q&A with attendees. Learn more at https://www.thedisengagedteen.com/.
Winthrop is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and the author of several books on education. Her research focuses on global education, with particular attention to the skills young people need to thrive in work, life and civic engagement.
She currently leads the Brookings Global Task Force on AI in Education and co-leads the Family Engagement in Education Network. Previously, she served as chair of the U.N. secretary-general's Global Education First Initiative Technical Advisory Group, helping to shape an education vision centered on access, quality and global citizenship.
More information on Rebecca Winthrop:
https://www.brookings.edu/people/rebecca-winthrop/
Space is limited, and registration is required. Register Now to secure your spot.
Registration closes Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Special Offer: The first 100 registered attendees will receive a signed copy of "The Disengaged Teen."
January 2026 ISAC Communiqué
Sent on February 2, 2026.
The January 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 January 2026 ISAC Communiqué include:
- Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy!
(sent January 22, 2026) - Reminder: Become Certified in Financial Aid!
(sent January 20, 2026) - Register Now! 2026 Success Network Conference: February 26, 2026
(sent January 14, 2026) - Do You Send Paper Transcripts? Make the Switch to Electronic, It's Easy! What are you waiting for?
(sent January 8, 2026) - Register NOW! Free Professional Development Webinars!
(sent January 7, 2026) - December 2025 ISAC Communiqué
(sent January 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.
