Limited Release of 2025-26 MAP Suspense

01/30/2026

Links in this message go to ISAC's website (isac.org) unless otherwise noted.

The following information is being shared to assist colleges in the administration of the Monetary Award Program (MAP).

Award Announcements Released through July 1, 2025

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.

Now that the December 5, 2025 first-term claim deadline has passed and our current data analysis reflects decreases in projected claim rates, ISAC is releasing from suspense the 2025–26 MAP award announcements for students who submitted an initial FAFSA or an Alternative Application from June 6, 2025, through and including July 1, 2025. ISAC bases its awarding on the application receipt date recorded in the initial FAFSA and Alternative Application records.

MAP award announcements may be viewed in the MAP system starting on January 30, 2026. Announcements of 2025-26 MAP grants remain in suspense status for all eligible students with initial FAFSA or Alternative Application receipt dates on or after July 2, 2025.

The 2025-26 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart has been updated to reflect the limited release of award announcements in suspense status. ISAC staff will continue to monitor claims as the academic year progresses and will communicate should an additional release be appropriate.

Identifying Student Records

Colleges may identify student records included in the limited release of suspense, as well as those that will remain in suspense status for a variety of reasons (i.e., file review and repackaging, etc.). The MAP system contains filters that allow colleges to identify student records and create a custom report of those records placed in suspense status.

MAP records in suspension status are indicated by a code of "S" in the “MAP Suspend” field in the MAP system, reports and in the Eligibility Status File (ESF).

There is no indicator in the system that identifies which student records were released; the suspense flag ("S") is simply removed. When records are released from suspense, ISAC will create an ESF update that will remove the "S" from the "MAP Suspend" field on MAP system screens and from the MAP Suspense Flag (position 94). Schools may then use their standard procedure to request payment for eligible students.

Further details regarding identifying student records are provided at the Suspension of MAP Award Announcements page (located within the MAP section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area), as well as in the "Student Eligibility" chapter of the MAP User Guide.

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If you have any questions, please contact School Services by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 866.247.2172.