ISAC Update

VOL. 43, NO. 10F
April 2026

Messages sent to: Multiple Subscription Groups
  ISAC Update

Welcome to the April 2026 ISAC Update for financial aid administrators and business officers. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent through ISAC's e-Messaging service throughout April.

The articles in this Update have been organized according to the FAA subscription groups to which the messages were distributed.

Questions?

Questions regarding information in this ISAC Update 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.

MULTIPLE SUBSCRIPTION GROUPS

ISAC Update on Workforce Pell for Financial Aid Administrators
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on April 30, 2026.

We are writing to share a brief update about work being done in Illinois to prepare for Workforce Pell and opportunities for stakeholders to provide comments and questions.

ISAC is part of an Interagency Steering Committee, including the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), state workforce agencies, and others convened by the Governor's office. The committee is working to ensure we are preparing Workforce Pell-related policies, processes, and communications for a variety of stakeholders across the state.

Upcoming Webinar And Listening Session For Financial Aid Administrators

We invite you to attend an update and listening session at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for discussion and input about Illinois' plan and timeline along with additional information about Workforce Pell implementation.

To participate:

For the audio portion, select one of the available options:

  • "Use computer audio" – for this option you will need to have a microphone to be able to interact with the webinar. Without a microphone, you will be in listen-only mode.
  • "Call me" – for this option, enter your phone number, and Webex will call you for toll-free participation.
  • "Call in" (not a toll-free option) – if you are not able to participate through the "Use computer audio" or "Call me" options, but would like to participate by phone, you can use one of these toll numbers: +1-312-535-8110 (US Toll Chicago) or +1-415-655-0002 (US Toll) and access code 2862 824 8002.

Registration is not required for this event. The participation information will also be available – along with presentation materials – at the Partner Training page in the e-Library on the day of the event.

Illinois Resources

National Guidance

As you likely know, final federal regulations related to Workforce Pell have not yet been issued. In the meantime, we'd like to be sure you are aware of some national information and initial guidance for financial aid leaders about implementation:

  • Federal Student Aid (FSA) has provided, and has continued to update, this guidance about FAFSA processing updates coming out of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, of which Workforce Pell is a part.
  • A March 11, 2026, NASFAA post also covered the recent FAFSA system updates, including coverage of and reaction to the above-mentioned federal guidance on Workforce Pell implementation.

If you've noted additional guidance from your professional associations or formal communications that could benefit your colleagues or the Interagency Steering Committee, we invite you to share them with us.

We look forward to continuing to update you as Illinois' Interagency Steering Committee advances state-level planning and implementation together on Workforce Pell.

2025-26 MAP Second Limited Release: Claim Deadline Reminder
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on April 27, 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).

Second Limited Release of 2025-26 MAP Awards

On April 7, 2026 ISAC released from suspense 2025-26 MAP award announcements for students who submitted an initial FAFSA or Alternative Application from July 2, 2025, through and including July 30, 2025.

Claim Deadline Date: April 28, 2026

This message serves as a reminder to schools that the deadline for submitting first and second-term claims for these records is Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Claims sent on April 29, 2026 and after will be held as late.

Refer to the MAP Suspense page for information on how to identify records in a suspension status in the MAP system. The 2025-26 MAP Applicant Award Status Chart provides an overview of categories for students based on the initial application (FAFSA or Alternative Application) receipt date.

Highlights from April 16, Commission Meeting
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on April 24, 2026.

.The following informational updates were provided at the April 16, 2026 meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. You can find a listing of all agenda items in the April 16, 2026 agenda book, which can be accessed via the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission area of our website (isac.org).

IBHE Strategic Plan Update

  • As IBHE's strategic plan – A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability and Growth – reaches its five-year point, ISAC is working closely with IBHE to assess what progress has been made toward meeting the three key goals of equity, sustainability, and growth.

ISAC Agency Update

  • Executive Director Eric Zarnikow noted that we had observed an increase in Monetary Award Program (MAP) application volume. Subsequently, ISAC announced on April 20 it is suspending the announcement of 2026-27 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.
  • We continue to track ISAC's progress against its Strategic Plan strategies and tactics to respond to changes in student and partner needs. Some of ISAC's ongoing efforts include a website redesign, a pilot message to MAP eligible students after filing a FAFSA or Alternative Application, and the implementation of One Click College Admit.
  • We are working diligently to close out FY26 and spend all our appropriations on our aid programs.

State Legislative Update

  • Senate budget hearings were held during the week of April 6, and House budget hearings will be held the week of April 20.
  • April 17 was the deadline for bills to be passed out of their originating chamber before moving to the next chamber for consideration before the scheduled May 31 adjournment.
  • Legislators seem to be following the Governor's request to limit the proposals for new programs and bills that would increase fiscal obligations.
  • Pending bills that would benefit ISAC programs:
    • HB5463 makes changes to the School and Municipal Social Worker Shortage Loan Repayment Program to permit school counselors to apply.
    • HB5460 expands eligible schools in the Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program to include private, not-for profit institutions.
  • Other actions of interest:
    • SB3737 concerning protection for military service members who are deployed while enrolled in college and HB5093 concerning residency requirements for in-state tuition.
    • HB4229 concerning prevention of potential enrollment fraud is not moving forward.
    • Illinois General Assembly is considering proposals on the public university funding formula and the ability of community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.

Additional Items

Other agenda items at the meeting included:

Next Meeting

The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Upcoming Federal Systems Updates: No Change to 2026-27 MAP Suspense Date
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users,and Business Officers on April 23, 2026.

ISAC is addressing some questions we recently received related to MAP suspense and the U.S. Department of Education's upcoming changes to several Federal Student Aid (FSA) systems. These changes will not trigger a change in the 2026-27 MAP suspense date (eligible applications submitted through April 23, 2026 will be considered for a MAP award; applications submitted April 24, 2026 and after will be in suspense).

Federal Student Aid will be transitioning the current ISIR to a new layout this weekend (April 26) to align the ISIRs to legislative changes in student aid. There will be no impact on some schools as a result of this transition, and we do not anticipate any significant disruptions in ISAC's delivery of programs. However, we learned recently that some financial aid systems vendors are not yet ready for this transition, and this will delay financial aid processing at some institutions.

We have also learned that, in some cases, impacted institutions have been encouraging students to complete their FAFSAs by April 25 so that the school can process their financial aid in a timely manner. Concerns have been raised that because the MAP suspense date we announced Monday afternoon is earlier than April 25, this could confuse students who received a message from their school with an April 25 deadline.

We certainly understand the concerns. However, to avoid further confusion and to avoid exacerbating the risk of overcommitting MAP funds, ISAC will not be adjusting the announced suspense date at this time.

We announced MAP suspense on Monday, April 20: eligible students who complete a FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid after April 23 will be put in suspense (on a wait list) for MAP. This year, the FAFSA became available about two months earlier than last year, giving applicants nearly seven months to complete an application before MAP suspense.

ISAC announces suspense nearly every year to ensure that there is funding for all students who have already received an award offer and to decrease the possibility that students' awards would have to be reduced later in the year. So, while extending the suspense date might seem helpful today, it increases the risk of overcommitting funds and having to reduce awards later in the year.

As a reminder, applications that ISAC receives after the initial suspense date are held. If funding later becomes available, additional awards are offered to eligible students based on the order in which applications were received. We have been able to provide additional students with MAP grants during FY26 (the current 2025-26 academic year) as claims came in and funding was available to be released. Release of additional funds is never a guarantee but is a much better scenario for students and institutions than having to reduce awards later in the year. Read more about suspense and see our FAQs.

We know there are ongoing FSA changes, and we understand that the confluence of these two unrelated events adds to an already challenging situation. We will continue to work to provide updates and information as it becomes available and to communicate with our school partners to support you and your students. Thank you for your partnership.

Brief Illinois Financial Aid Survey – Please Submit by Friday, April 24
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on April 22, 2026.

As we are sure you are aware, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) published a March 9, 2026 electronic announcement detailing upcoming changes to several Federal Student Aid (FSA) systems. The planned updates are to support the expansion of Pell Grant eligibility for eligible workforce programs and the revised limits on federal student loans enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The Department has announced that these system updates will be made April 26, 2026, to accommodate the July 1, 2026 effective date for the new loan limits and expansion of Pell Grant eligibility, and will include updates to the FAFSA Processing System (FPS), FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP), the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system, and the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS).

ISAC has prepared for these changes, and unless there are delays at ED, we do not anticipate any disruption of our ability to administer programs. We are reaching out via a short, 5-question survey to see how this challenging mid-cycle update may impact awarding financial aid at your institution. We value our partnerships with schools and want to ensure we are communicating with students appropriately as we assist in the financial aid process.

Your responses will be anonymous and combined with those of others and shared in summary form only. Please submit your survey by close of business on Friday, April 24, 2026. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact [email protected].

Take the Illinois Financial Aid Survey.

MAP Advising Data Updates – Clarification Regarding Data to Report
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on April 21, 2026.

As was previously announced, the collection period for MAP Advising data opened on April 9, 2026. It has since come to our attention that dates provided in the initial announcement did not match what is being requested in the GAP Access portal. The intent of this message to clarify what data colleges are to report. We apologize for any confusion.

Colleges are to report the following data no later than Thursday, July 30, 2026:

  • available advising and support programs (for the 2025-26 academic year) and
  • course completion data (for the 2024-25 academic year).

To make the process easier for schools, the collection of MAP Advising Data has moved to a biennial process. Schools can anticipate the next MAP Advising collection process during the 2027-28 academic year.

Tips for Submitting MAP Advising Data

  • All MAP Advising reporting – advising and support programs and course completion rates – is done via a survey-style format through the GAP Access portal.
  • Pay special attention to on-screen instructions that identify the academic year about which the data must be provided.
  • Advising and support program description fields are pre-populated with previously submitted information, so only updates and any new programs need to be submitted.
  • The only recipient-specific data that needs to be submitted is the number of completed/attempted hours. We obtain graduation and retention rates from the National Student Clearinghouse.
  • Community colleges do not need to report course completion rates because we secure the data from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). The course completion rate tables appear in GAP Access for all school types, but need not be completed by community colleges.
  • Guidance to assist in reporting data is available in the MAP Advising Data Collection User Guide, which has been updated to reflect the current data collection period and may be accessed via the GAP Access area of the website.

MAP Advising Support Programs Search Tool

Information reported about colleges' available advising and support programs, including links for the college website pages where the individual advising/support programs appear, is available through the MAP Advising Support Programs Search Tool. The searchable/filterable database tool, accessible through the MAP Advising Data Collection area of ISAC's website, contains results from previous collections of advising and support programs being provided to MAP recipients. You may find this information useful in enhancing your advising and support programs. The data, along with completion, retention and graduation rate data, is used when communicating MAP's positive outcomes to the Illinois legislature.

Questions?

Questions regarding the MAP Advising data collection process (including inquiries regarding data elements and survey submission) may be directed to the ISAC Research, Planning and Policy Analysis division at [email protected].

2026-27 MAP Suspense: For Applications Recieved After April 23
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on April 20, 2026.

Links in this message are to corresponding pages at ISAC's website (isac.org) unless otherwise noted.

2026-27 MAP Suspense: For all Applications Received AFTER April 23, 2026

Current data analysis indicates that the suspension of 2026-27 MAP award announcements is necessary to avoid overcommitting the program's available funding. Therefore, 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. Suspense means that MAP-eligible students who complete an application after April 23, 2026 will be put on a waiting list for MAP funding, and if ISAC determines that additional grants could be offered, they would be announced based on the order in which the applications were received. Students have through April 23, 2026 to submit their 2026-27 applications before being put on the waiting list for MAP.

Identifying Records in Suspense Status

The MAP Program News page will updated once suspended records are visible in GAP Access (anticipated by late April).

Once available, MAP records in suspense status will:

  • be reflected in the MAP system;
  • show on the appropriate screens and reports; and,
  • appear in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction.

MAP records in suspense status will be indicated by a MAP Suspend Code of "S" (S = New application received after the suspense date will not be considered for an award this year) in the MAP system and in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction. The MAP system contains filters that will allow you to identify student records and create a report of those records placed in suspense status.

2026-27 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart

The 2026-27 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart provides an overview of categories for students based on the initial application receipt date.

Student Award Announcements

Colleges must suspend announcements of MAP awards to applicants whose initial 2026-27 application (FAFSA and Alternative Application) receipt date is after Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Please note that ISAC is not notifying affected applicants that their awards have been placed in suspense status. Colleges are advised to follow their own policies and procedures regarding communication to students in suspended status.

Application Volume and Projected Claim Rates Being Monitored

ISAC staff will continue to monitor MAP application volume and claim rates. If future analysis indicates that a partial release of awards from suspense status is viable (i.e., if additional grants can be offered), we will communicate that information to the financial aid community.

Students Still Encouraged to Apply

We continue to encourage students who are contemplating college this fall to complete a FAFSA or, for qualifying students, the Alternative Application. MAP-eligible students who are put on a waiting list for MAP funding might still receive a grant if ISAC later determines that additional grants could be offered. If so, awards would be announced based on the order in which the applications were received. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for federal Pell Grants can still receive that funding for fall, and there may be other ISAC grant and scholarship programs, as well as those provided by institutions, that continue to have funding available.

Free assistance in completing the FAFSA or Alternative Application is available from ISAC by booking a one-on-one virtual session at ISAC Booking, or students can set up an in-person session with their local ISACorps member at https://studentportal.isac.org/isacorps.

Check ISAC's Website Periodically for Updates

As new information becomes available throughout the year — including the start of the payment processing cycle, which is anticipated by the end of August 2026 — ISAC will continue to update the MAP Program News page within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section, which may be accessed via the Financial Aid Administrators area. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status of the program.

2026 CCE: Education Matters
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on April 15, 2026.

2026 College Changes Everything Conference
2026 College Changes Everything® Conference

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.

The College Changes Everything® Conference is sponsored
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Providing Illinois students with information and assistance
to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.



CCE

Commission Meeting Thursday, April 16 – Executive Briefing Friday, April 17
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on April 14, 2026.

The next regular meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 1 p.m. (CT). You may attend the meeting at either the ISAC Deerfield or Springfield office location (see below for addresses).

Some of the items on the tentative agenda are:

  • State Legislative Update
  • College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investment and Program Updates

The complete listing of agenda items is included in the April 16, 2026 agenda book, which can be accessed via the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission area of our website (isac.org). The online agenda book will be updated within 1-2 business days following the meeting to reflect action taken.

Executive Briefing Conference Call – Friday, April 17

An executive briefing conference call for institutional financial aid staff is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (CT). Executive Director Eric Zarnikow and ISAC staff will provide information about activity that took place at the Commission meeting and other ISAC updates.

On April 17, you can access the briefing by:

For the audio portion, select one of the available options:

  • "Use computer audio" – for this option you will need to have a microphone to be able to interact with the briefing. Without a microphone, you will be in listen-only mode.
  • "Call me" – for this option, enter your phone number, and Webex will call you for toll-free participation.
  • "Call in" (not a toll-free option) – if you are not able to participate through the "Use computer audio" or "Call me" options, but would like to participate by phone, you can use one of these toll numbers: +1-312-535-8110 (US Toll Chicago) or +1-415-655-0002 (US Toll) and access code 2634 389 5164.

Access will also be available via the Partner Training page of the e-Library.

Commission Meeting Sites

Deerfield office
1755 Lake Cook Road
Conference Room 3030, 3rd floor
Deerfield
Enter through the east door and check in at the desk.

Springfield office
500 West Monroe
Conference Room, 3rd floor
Springfield
Enter from the rear parking lot (through the door on the east) and then use the elevator or stairs.

ISAC Monthly Webinar for FAAs on April 29
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools on April 14, 2026.

Plan to join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) at 2:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 for a "Monthly Program & Operational Update" webinar for financial aid administrators.

Future monthly webinars will take place at 2:00 p.m. (CT) on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, May 27, 2026
  • Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Registration is not required for these webinars. Participate by accessing the webinar link and presentation materials at the Partner Training page in the e-Library on the day of the event.

Requests for specific topics or questions you would like an upcoming webinar to address may be submitted by sending an email to Partner Services at [email protected].

2026-27 ECACE Scholarship Application Available – Priority Consideration Date: May 31
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Business Officers, and ECACE Administrators on April 13, 2026.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is sharing the following information to assist colleges in the administration of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program.

ECACE Scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year are now being accepted. The priority consideration date for the application process to be completed – including submission of the 2026-27 ECACE Scholarship application and the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) – is Sunday, May 31, 2026. Applications received after that date may still be considered for an award if scholarship funds are still available after all on-time eligible applicants have been awarded.

Reminders

  • Program details – including eligibility requirements – are available on our website, along with a link to the online application.
    • As always, we ask our partners to encourage those who may be interested in applying to learn about the program before completing the application.
  • In addition to completing the ECACE application, the FAFSA or Alternative Application must be filed for the same academic year.
    • The ECACE-participating college the applicant plans to attend must be listed on the FAFSA or Alternative Application.
  • Although there is no teaching commitment connected to the award, recipients are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field after they complete their program of study.

Looking Ahead

  • When 2026-27 applicant data is available for each college to access via the "Student List Eligibility: View" screen of the ECACE system later this year, data will be displayed for all applications listing the institution as the college the student plans to attend (i.e., complete, incomplete, and ineligible applications will be included). Certification functionality is anticipated to become available during the same timeframe.
  • 2026-27 ECACE Scholarship payment processing will commence later this year.
  • As it becomes available, more information – including announcement of when the 2026-27 "Student List Eligibility: View" screen and certification functionality become available, and when 2026-27 payment requests are being accepted – will be provided via ISAC's usual means of communication (i.e., the ECACE Scholarship Program News area, the FAA Message Board, and this e-Messaging system).

Submit MAP Advising Data by July 30
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on April 9, 2026.

Effective Thursday, April 9, 2026, the 2025 collection period for MAP Advising data has opened and colleges may now submit the required information via the GAP Access portal.

Colleges are to report the following:

  • available advising and support programs (for the 2025-26 academic year*) and
  • course completion data (for the 2024-25 academic year*).

* Listed dates are different than had originally been reflected. See follow-up e-Message (dated April 21, 2026) for more information.

Note: Schools may notice changes to certain screens as some data collection questions have been removed. These changes will be reflected in the User Guide.

MAP Advising data for the 2025 collection period is due by Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Tips for Submitting MAP Advising Data

  • All MAP Advising reporting – advising and support programs and course completion rates – is done via a survey-style format through the GAP Access portal.
  • Pay special attention to on-screen instructions that identify the academic year about which the data must be provided.
  • Advising and support program description fields are pre-populated with previously submitted information, so only updates and any new programs need to be submitted.
  • The only recipient-specific data that needs to be submitted is the number of completed/attempted hours. We obtain graduation and retention rates from the National Student Clearinghouse.
  • Community colleges do not need to report course completion rates because we secure the data from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). The course completion rate tables appear in GAP Access for all school types, but need not be completed by community colleges.
  • Guidance to assist in reporting data is available in the MAP Advising Data Collection User Guide, which has been updated to reflect the 2025 data collection period and may be accessed via the GAP Access area of the website.

Looking Ahead: Moving to a Biennial Collection Process

Starting with the 2025-26 academic year, the MAP Advising process has moved to a biennial collection process. This change is being made in order to make the process easier for schools, when data is often unchanged from year to year. Schools can anticipate the next MAP Advising collection process during the 2027-28 academic year.

MAP Advising Support Programs Search Tool

Information reported about colleges' available advising and support programs, including links for the college website pages where the individual advising/support programs appear, is available through the MAP Advising Support Programs Search Tool. The searchable/filterable database tool, accessible through the MAP Advising Data Collection area of ISAC's website, contains results from previous collections of advising and support programs being provided to MAP recipients. You may find this information useful in enhancing your advising and support programs. The data, along with completion, retention and graduation rate data, is used when communicating MAP's positive outcomes to the Illinois legislature.

Questions?

Questions regarding the MAP Advising data collection process (including inquiries regarding data elements and survey submission) may be directed to the ISAC Research, Planning and Policy Analysis division at [email protected].

Enrollment Status Verification Update – Accepting iGROW, NES and SWSP Data
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, and NES Schools on April 8, 2026.

2024-2025 Enrollment Verification Data Due May 7, 2026

(For the First Time: Data Now Being Accepted for iGROW, NES, and SWSP)

ISAC is now accepting 2024-2025 enrollment verification data for students who previously received funds from certain ISAC-administered programs.

  • Enrollment verification data for the Illinois Graduate Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program, Nursing Education Scholarship (NES), and Post Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program (SWSP) is available via each program's system within the GAP Access portal. The enrollment verification data for Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program and the Minority Teachers if Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program will continue to follow the same procedures.
  • Data is to be completed by the college and returned to ISAC as soon as possible, verifying award recipients' current enrollment status. In order to be considered timely, all data must be submitted on or before Thursday, May 7, 2026.
  • As a reminder, ISAC monitors recipients' fulfillment of the program requirements because, if recipients fail to meet the applicable requirements, their awards convert to loans that must be repaid.
    • Knowing recipients' enrollment status, as reported by the colleges, allows ISAC to communicate with recipients who have graduated (or otherwise stopped attending college) regarding the steps they need to take in order to fulfill program requirements.
    • The sooner colleges submit enrollment verification data to ISAC, the sooner ISAC can communicate with impacted award recipients.

Reporting Enrollment Status

  • For iGROW, NES, and SWSP:
    • From the iGROW, NES or SWSP system "Home" page within GAP Access, select the prior academic year (in this case, "2024-2025") from the "Academic Year" drop-down menu, and then click on the "Enrollment Status Verification" tab.
    • If the current academic year (in this case, "2025-2026") is selected, the "Enrollment Status Verification" listing will be blank.
    • The reason the academic year must be selected for enrollment verification is that other functionalities (for example, certification and payment) also reside in the NES and SWSP systems.
  • Data should be reported based on each student's last date of enrollment in the required program.
  • If the "Enrollment Status" is anything other than "In School," the "Effective Date" also must be provided. A listing of valid "Enrollment Status" options may be found in the Enrollment Status Verification User Guide.
  • If the student remains enrolled in the required program for 2025-2026, indicate such with the "In School" status; those students will continue to appear with future-year data.

Reminder: In order for staff to view enrollment status verification data, the institution's GAP Access administrator must ensure that access to this functionality has been granted (both for themselves and other staff, as appropriate). Further details regarding this process are provided in the "Security Access" section that appears at the bottom of this message.

Making Revisions After Data Has Been Submitted

Enrollment status verification data is available to be updated only if the information has not yet been submitted to ISAC. Colleges must contact Partner Services at [email protected] for changes that need to be made after the data has been submitted.

Resources Available Online

Please note: ISAC is currently working on an updated User Guide for Enrollment Status Verification. The User Guide will be posted to the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs Access page as soon as it is available.

Further details and instructions regarding the enrollment verification process may be accessed by selecting the appropriate links below:

Security Access

GAP Access User Guides provide institutions with step-by-step instructions for activating and monitoring user accounts. All users need a valid GAP Access ID and password to access the system. ISAC relies on a designated Primary Administrator (usually, the financial aid director) at each institution to authorize users and provide them with the appropriate level of access for each ISAC program.

Enrollment verification functionality for these programs is available each day between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (CT).

Second Limited Release of 2025-26 MAP Suspense
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on April 7, 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 30, 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 receipt dates after June 5, 2025. Following an analysis completed after the first-term claim deadline, ISAC subsequently released from suspense 2025-26 MAP award announcements for all applications with a receipt date from June 6, 2025 through and including July 1, 2025.

Now that the March 27, 2026 MAP second-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 July 2, 2025, through and including July 30, 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 April 7, 2026. Announcements of 2025-26 MAP grants remain in suspense status for all eligible students with initial FAFSA or Alternative Application receipt dates after July 30, 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, in 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.

2026-27 Budget Data Due June 1
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, and Business Officers on April 6, 2026.

Links in this message go to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org) unless otherwise noted.

ISAC is now accepting postsecondary institutions' budget information for the 2026-27 processing cycle. This message explains how colleges participating in the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant programs must submit required budget data.

The submission of MAP, IVG and ING Grant budget information follows the same format that was used to report 2025-26 academic year data. There have been no changes to the data collected or the collection process.

Budget Data Due June 1

Submit budget data online via the "School: Budget" area of the GAP Access portal. Budget data for the 2026-27 academic year must be submitted to ISAC on or before Monday, June 1, 2026.

If your school's annual budget is not final by June 1, submit the budget data with estimated figures, followed by an email from the financial aid director to Partner Services (at [email protected]). The email must provide the approximate date by which the final budget will be submitted (all data must be provided or updated before payment processing begins in August).

Reporting On-Campus Mandatory Fees for MAP

Report the 2026-27 mandatory fee amounts for each type of fee (based on 16 semester hours or 12 quarter hours per term) by navigating to the "On-Campus Mandatory Fees" tab.

  • "On-Campus Mandatory Fees" are the charges assessed each term to every full-time student in a traditional 16-hour on-campus, non-distance education enrollment.
    • Application, graduation, laboratory, breakage, add/drop, and out-of-state or foreign study program administration fees are specifically excluded.
  • This data is being collected to calculate a mean-weighted tuition and fee rate for a typical on-campus student.
    • ISAC uses this calculated rate, and provides it to other state partners, for a variety of purposes.

More information about reporting on-campus mandatory fees for MAP is provided in the Budget Reporting Process User Guide.

Reporting FY2027 Differential Rates

As part of the 2026-27 budget data reporting process, ISAC is collecting differential rate data for fiscal year 2027 (FY2027).

  • Schools that have not reported differential budget codes in prior years and would like to do so for FY2027 may contact Partner Services for assistance.

General Institutional Information

Valid responses must be provided for Questions 1 and 2 of the "General Institutional Information" section. If your school does not have a valid Program Participation Agreement (PPA), blank is a valid response. If Question 1 is checked, and/or a date is reported for Question 2, responses to all three questions are required before the budget can be certified. For Question 3, one of the buttons ("Yes" or "No") must be selected before the budget can be certified.

  1. Please check this box to confirm that this institution has a valid PPA with the U.S. Department of Education (ED). [Checkbox will appear here]
  2. This ED PPA expires: [mm/dd/yyyy field will appear here]
  3. Has your institution undergone a name or ownership change in the last 12 months? [Yes/No radio buttons will appear here]

Operational Details and Reminders

  • Following ISAC's standard budget data collection process, colleges:
    • report "main" tuition and fee rates (i.e., the basic rate that the majority of students at the college are charged); and,
    • if applicable, add new differential rates (i.e., any rates, other than the college's "main" rate, upon which payment requests may be based).
  • Remember that – with the exception of data reported via the "On-Campus Mandatory Fees" tab for MAP – the definition of "Mandatory Fees" includes fees for students studying through distance education (in addition to on-campus students).
  • Step-by-step instructions for accessing and navigating the GAP Access "School: Budget" screens – including access to the Budget Reporting Process User Guide – are provided on the Gift Assistance Budget Instructions page.
    • Instructions may also be viewed in a separate browser window via a link in the top right corner of the "School: Budget" screens in the GAP Access portal.
  • Only those staff members who have been granted appropriate GAP Access privileges will be able to access the "Budget" option from within the "School" area of the system.
  • Budget data must be reported for each approved program (MAP, IVG and/or ING Grant), and each approved school code within a program, before it is certified.
  • After the budget information for all approved codes and all approved programs has been entered, saved and confirmed and the institution's required tuition refund policy document has been uploaded and saved, the financial aid director will need to submit the data by selecting the "Certify" button.
  • If you have questions concerning the online process of submitting budget data to ISAC, please contact Partner Services at 866.247.2172 or [email protected].

Do You Want to Change How Your MAP Awards are Calculated?

The majority of schools calculate term awards by the "cents" option, but if you're interested in switching to the "no cents" option (or vice versa), simply contact Partner Services to discuss how to make the change. Any such revisions must be done prior to the start of the payment claim process for the upcoming award year.

Online Resources

The following online resources are available to assist with the 2026-27 budget data collection process:

Reminder for Science Meets Wisdom: Virtual FAN Event
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools – Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAP Users, Business Officers, ECACE Administrators, and NES Schools 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.

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ISAC UPDATE

March 2026 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on April 1, 2026.

The March 2026 edition of the ISAC Update 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 version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent to financial aid administrators and business officers via ISAC's e-Messaging service over the past month.

Topics covered in the March 2026 ISAC Update include:

  • Learn About Workforce Pell: April 6 Webinar
    (sent March 31, 2026)
  • Submit 2025-26 Teachers of Illinois Certification Data
    (sent March 25, 2026)
  • Science Meets Wisdom: Virtual FAN Event
    (sent March 25, 2026)
  • 2025-26 Payment Updates and Reminders
    (sent March 23, 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)
  • ISAC Monthly Webinar for FAAs on March 25
    (sent March 12, 2026)
  • 2026 FAFSA® Symposium – Join Virtually March 24, 2026
    (sent March 6, 2026)
  • ISAC Sessions During 2026 ILASFAA Conference
    (sent March 4, 2026)
  • Reminder: 2026 FAFSA® Symposium taking place March 24, 2026! Call for Proposals now open, deadline extended!
    (sent March 3, 2026)
  • 2026-27 NES Application Due April 30
    (sent March 2, 2026)
  • February 2026 Electronic ISAC Update
    (sent March 2, 2026)

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