ISAC Student PortalISAC Update
VOL. 43, NO. 4F
October 2025
| Messages sent to: | Multiple Subscription Groups |
| ISAC Update |
Welcome to the October 2025 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 October.
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.
2026-27 MAP Start-Up Implemented
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on October 17, 2025.
26-27 Monetary Award Program (MAP) records – reflecting the start-up formula that was approved at the September 18, 2025 Commission meeting – are now available to access via the MAP system. Effective immediately, all 2026-27 Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) and Alternative Application Student Records received by ISAC through (including) Thursday, October 16, 2025 are available with their accompanying eligibility status information. Daily processing of 2026-27 ISIR, Alternative Application, and eligibility status information has commenced.
Processing Details
- The 2026-27 start-up formula:
- uses 2021-22 reported tuition and fees;
- uses the 2021-22 Pell Grant Payment Schedule;
- uses a $5,200 living allowance; and,
- has a maximum annual award amount of $8,400 (with an effective maximum of $8,064 after the 4% reduction).
- The MAP system can be experienced best using the Google Chrome browser.
- The ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal, which includes the MAP system, is available each day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (CT).
More Information Available Online
- The MAP section within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area reflects the 2026-27 start-up formula.
- Details regarding calculating a term award for both semester and quarter schools are also available.
- The 2026-27 Hand Calculation Forms – Start-up document may be accessed via the MAP Formula area.
- 2026-27 MAP 160 Byte File Layout Specifications may be accessed via the Electronic Tools area of the e-Library for Partners.
- 2026-27 Alternative Application Student Record School File may be accessed via the Electronic Tools area of the e-Library for Partners.
- The MAP Electronic Processing area provides detailed information about the MAP system.
- The "Eligibility" chapter of the MAP User Guide soon will be updated to reflect the 2026-27 awarding cycle.
Notification to Applicants
- Colleges are required to announce MAP awards to eligible students enrolled at their institutions.
- Refer to the MAP Award Announcements page for details regarding college requirements, as well as a sample of the required 2026-27 school-issued award notification language.
Reminders
- Colleges should encourage students to submit the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as soon as possible.
- Encourage your students to visit the ISAC Student Portal to access these helpful resources:
- MAP Paid Credit Hours Display (located in the Program Applications & Status Checks area) – MAP grant recipients may use this option to track the number of MAP Paid Credit Hours they have remaining, and
- Student Resources Beyond Financial Aid (located in the Resources area) – students can find resources for food (including listings of Illinois food pantries on or near college campuses, as well as across the state), housing, medical care, child and dependent care assistance and consideration because of special circumstances.
Watch for Future Updates
Additional updates regarding the 2026-27 MAP processing cycle will be provided via ISAC's usual means of communication: the FAA Message Board; the MAP Program News area; and/or, this e-Messaging service.
ISAC Monthly Webinars for FAAs
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 October 15, 2025.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will provide "Monthly Program & Operational Update" webinars for financial aid administrators at 2:00 p.m. (CT) on the following dates.
- Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025*
- Wednesday, December 17, 2025*
* Webinar earlier in month than usual to accommodate holiday schedules.
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].
Reminder: Registration Closes Soon
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 October 14, 2025.
Dear Colleagues,
Reminder: Registration closes soon! The deadline to register for ISAC's upcoming author events, presented in partnership with the Family Action Network (FAN), is Friday, October 17th. Space is limited, and separate registration is required for each event.
Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
Dealing With Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want
Date & Time: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will be in conversation with Teresa Ramos, Secretary, Illinois Department of Early Childhood, for an engaging discussion about how understanding and using emotions can strengthen personal decision-making and professional guidance. These insights are especially valuable for those supporting students through key life and educational choices.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dealing With Feeling will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Marc Brackett
Jeff Selingo
Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You
Date & Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Gain insights into navigating the evolving landscape of college options, essential for those supporting students as they make meaningful educational choices. Jeff Selingo, a renowned higher education journalist and best-selling author, will be in conversation with Phil Hale, VP for Civic Engagement & Government Affairs, Loyola University Chicago.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dream School will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Jeff Selingo
Professional Development and Continuing Education Hours are available for both events.
Parking and Venue Instructions:
- Parking is available on the north and east sides of the building. You may park anywhere, not only in Visitor Parking spots.
- Enter through the east entrance.
- This is a state government building; all visitors must present valid picture identification.
- Take the elevator to the 4th floor. An ISAC staff member will direct you to the event.
We look forward to welcoming you to one, or both, of these inspiring conversations!
Register for Upcoming Book Discussions
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 October 2, 2025.
Dear Colleagues,
In partnership with the Family Action Network (FAN), ISAC is excited to host two upcoming book discussions at our Deerfield office. Each event will feature a conversation with a nationally recognized author and thought leader in education. Please note that registration is required for each event separately, and space is limited.
Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
Dealing With Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want
Date & Time: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will be in conversation with Teresa Ramos, Secretary, Illinois Department of Early Childhood, for an engaging discussion about how understanding and using emotions can strengthen personal decision-making and professional guidance. These insights are especially valuable for those supporting students through key life and educational choices.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dealing With Feeling will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Marc Brackett
Jeff Selingo
Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You
Date & Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Rd, 4th Floor Conference Center
Gain insights into navigating the evolving landscape of college options, essential for those supporting students as they make meaningful educational choices. Jeff Selingo, a renowned higher education journalist and best-selling author, will be in conversation with Phil Hale, VP for Civic Engagement & Government Affairs, Loyola University Chicago.
Special Offer: Signed copies of Dream School will be given to the first 100 registered attendees.
Registration Deadline: October 17th. Register Now for Jeff Selingo
Professional Development and Continuing Education Hours are available for both events.
Parking and Venue Instructions:
- Parking is available on the north and east sides of the building. You may park anywhere, not only in Visitor Parking spots.
- Enter through the east entrance.
- This is a state government building; all visitors must present valid picture identification.
- Take the elevator to the 4th floor. An ISAC staff member will direct you to the event.
We look forward to welcoming you to one, or both, of these inspiring conversations!
2026-27 FAFSA, Alternative Application, and Important Dates
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 October 1, 2025.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to share information which may be helpful to you and/or your 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:
2026-27 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027)
2025-26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)
2024-25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025)
General Information (Not Specific to One Academic Year)
2026-27 FAFSA and Alternative Application
The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) cycle – including availability of the online FAFSA for all students – has opened, and the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) is transmitting 2026-27 FAFSA results to colleges. Students (and any contributors, if applicable) who successfully submitted the 2026-27 FAFSA form during the fall 2025 beta testing period do not need to resubmit it.
Visit the Applying for Financial Aid section of the e-Library for information about the 2026-27 application cycle.
The 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) is also available (in English and Spanish). Further details are provided at ISAC's Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act page.
The Financial Aid Planning area has resources to help students complete the financial aid process.
MAP Processing Cycle
At its September 18, 2025 meeting, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission approved a start-up formula for 2026-27 academic year Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants. The formula includes the same 4% reduction that was in place for 2025-26 MAP awards, resulting in an effective maximum award of $8,064. Additional details regarding the formula are provided in a September 19, 2025 "2026-27 MAP Start-up Formula Approved" e-Message.
The 2026-27 Required School-Issued Award Notification Language will soon be available on the MAP Award Announcements page, and the 2026-27 MAP 160-Byte File Layout Specifications document will be posted at the Electronic Tools page in the e-Library when it becomes available.
ISAC will announce when the 2026-27 MAP processing cycle has begun and 2026-27 MAP eligibility information is available in the MAP system.
October 31: Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program Application Priority Consideration Date
The application for the 2025-26 Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License Scholarship Program (Social Work Scholarship) is available to complete and submit online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. The priority application consideration date for the 2025-26 academic year is October 31, 2025. Complete applications submitted after that date will be considered only if available funding remains after all timely complete applicants have been awarded.
Certify Eligibility
Colleges may certify applicants' eligibility for 2025-26 Social Work Scholarships via the Social Work Scholarship system.
December 5: First-Term Claim Deadline Date for MAP
2025-26 MAP first-term payment requests (i.e., claims) are due on or before December 5, 2025.
When submitting claims, remember that ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2025-26 MAP grants for all students whose initial 2025-26 FAFSA is received and processed by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application is received and processed by ISAC, after June 5, 2025.
Future updates will be announced via the FAA Message Board, the MAP Program News page, and/or ISAC's e-Messaging system.
December 31: First-Term Priority Claim Deadline for ECACE, Golden Apple, and NES
December 31, 2025 is the 2025-26 first-term priority payment request (claim) deadline for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship, Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois, and Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) programs.
Further details are provided via the e-Messages listed below.
- 2025-26 ECACE Payment Requests Being Accepted (sent on September 25, 2025)
- 2025-26 NES Payment Requests Being Accepted (sent on September 25, 2025)
- 2025-26 Golden Apple Updates (sent on September 29, 2025)
December 31: Fall-Term Deadline to Report Benefit Usage Data for IVG and ING Grant
ISAC is accepting fall-term benefit usage data for the 2025-26 Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant programs.
- IVG data for the fall term is due on or before Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
- The date by which IVG data for the summer term must have been submitted in order to be considered timely has passed; however, colleges are still encouraged to submit summer-term data as soon as possible.
- ING Grant data for the fall term is due on or before Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
IVG benefit usage data and ING Grant benefit usage data is submitted to ISAC by colleges via the benefit usage functionality within each program's system. Colleges report enrollment hours and dollar amounts for initial benefit usage by students, as well as adjustments to previously-submitted data. Rporting of benefits used must take place so that usage can be accurately reflected on students' accounts, even though ISAC may not be able to fully reimburse institutions for 2025-26 IVG or ING Grant awards.
Further details are provided in an August 21, 2025 "Submit 2025-26 IVG & ING Grant Benefit Usage Data" e-Message.
March 1: Spring-Term Application Deadline for Grant Programs for Dependents of Police, Fire, or Correctional Officers
March 1, 2026 is the spring- and summer-term application deadline for the 2025-26 Grant Programs for Dependents of Police/Fire/Correctional Officers. Students complete and submit applications online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. Applications received after March 1 will be considered for summer-term awards only.
Reminder: Starting with the 2025-26 academic year, colleges administer awards for the Grant Programs for Dependents of Police, Fire, and Correctional Officers via ISAC's Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal. Further details will be provided throughout the year.
March 1: Spring-Term Application Deadline for the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program
March 1, 2026 is the spring- and summer-term application deadline for the 2025-26 Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program. Students complete and submit applications online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. Applications received after March 1 will be considered for summer-term awards only.
2025-26 FAFSA and Alternative Application Remain Available
Although ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2025-26 MAP grants (for all students whose initial 2025-26 FAFSA is received and processed by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application is received and processed by ISAC, after June 5, 2025), these 2025-26 applications remain available online. Please inform your students that their 2025-26 application should be completed and submitted as soon as possible if they will be attending college between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for several types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance. The suspension of 2025-26 MAP award announcements does not impact any other financial aid programs.
Submit Outstanding Amounts Due
Notifications detailing the outstanding amount that must be refunded to ISAC for the 2024-25 programs listed below were emailed to financial aid directors in early August, with a due date of September 30, 2025. Outstanding amounts still must be refunded even though that deadline has passed. If not already done, review the August notification and return the appropriate amount – along with a completed Gift Assistance Programs Refund Check Form and, if applicable, Gift Assistance Programs Refund Check Explanation Form (Excel spreadsheet) – as soon as possible.
- ECACE Scholarship Program
- Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program
- Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program
- MAP
- Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
- NES Program
- Social Work Scholarship Program
Details about returning funds to ISAC and the payment offset and reconciliation process are provided in the Refunds and Unpaid Claims section of the Processes area.
Coming Soon: Reporting Enrollment Verification Data for ISAC-Administered Teacher Education Programs
ISAC anticipates the functionality for colleges to submit 2024-2025 enrollment verification data, for students who previously received funds from ISAC-administered teacher programs, will be available soon.
Watch for more details – including when ISAC begins accepting enrollment verification data, and the date by which it will be due – in a future e-Message.
One Click College Admit Opt-in Remains Available for Students
One Click College Admit – an initiative of the State of Illinois – is the state's free, quick, and stress-free direct admissions program into most state public universities and all community colleges.
Participating students pay no application fees and do not need to submit essays or letters of recommendation for general admission to these state universities or their local community college – the only requirement to be considered for admission to most of the state's universities is meeting the university's minimum grade point average (GPA).
Interested students can visit the One Click College Admit site (https://oneclickadmit.org/) for more information and to opt in to participate. Please note, students who are under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian complete and sign the consent and release form.
Upcoming "Monthly Program & Operational Update" Webinars
Our "Monthly Program & Operational Update" webinars will be offered at 2:00 p.m. (CT) on the following dates.
- Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025*
- Wednesday, December 17, 2025*
* Webinar earlier in month than usual to accommodate holiday schedules.
To participate, visit the Partner Training page in the e-Library on the day of the event to access the webinar link and presentation materials.
Upcoming ILASFAA Events
Be sure to mark your calendar and take part in the following Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) events.
- Register for November 7, 2025 ILASFAA Fall Workshop
(9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT at Elgin Community College) - Register for November 17, 2025 ILASFAA Fall Workshop
(9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT at Rend Lake College) - Mark your calendar for the 2026 ILASFAA annual conference, taking place March 9-11, 2026 at The Westin Hotel in Lombard.
December 4: Next Commission Meeting
The next meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, December 4, 2025. 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.
The Commission Meeting Schedule page will soon be updated with information regarding all meetings scheduled in 2026.
ISAC staff will be unavailable for these holidays:
- Monday, October 13 – Columbus Day
- Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 28 – Day after Thanksgiving
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas
- Thursday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Staff will again be available the first business day immediately following each holiday.
Processing Schedules
All ISAC-administered program systems within the GAP Access portal remain available on holidays during regularly-scheduled hours. For MAP and other programs administered through components of the GAP Access portal, results for claims submitted from 5:00 p.m. (CT) the business day prior to the holiday through 5:00 p.m. (CT) the business day following the holiday will be available via the appropriate program's system on the morning of the second business day after the holiday.
Click on the following link to access holiday processing schedules for all systems within the GAP Access portal.
For Assistance
Access the Financial Aid Administrators 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).
September 2025 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on October 1, 2025.
The September 2025 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 September 2025 ISAC Update include:
- 2025-26 Golden Apple Updates
(sent September 29, 2025) - 2025-26 NES Payment Requests Being Accepted
(sent September 25, 2025) - 2025-26 ECACE Payment Requests Being Accepted
(sent September 25, 2025) - 2026-27 MAP Start-up Formula Approved
(sent September 19, 2025) - Commission Meeting Thursday, September 18 – Executive Briefing Friday, September 19
(sent September 15, 2025) - 2025-26 NES Awards Announced
(sent September 12, 2025) - September Webinar for FAAs
(sent September 8, 2025) - Upcoming Important Dates from ISAC
(sent September 3, 2025) - August 2025 Electronic ISAC Update
(sent September 2, 2025)
