ISAC Update

VOL. 43, NO. 5F
November 2025

Messages sent to:   Multiple Subscription Groups
  ISAC Update

Welcome to the November 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 November.

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

Commission Meeting Thursday,  December 4 – Executive Briefing Friday, December 5
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on November 25, 2025.

The next regular meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025 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:

  • Proposed Administrative Rules and Amendments
  • Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriated Funds Budget Request
  • ISAC Outreach Update
  • ISAC Website Redesign Update
  • College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program Investment and Program Updates

The complete listing of agenda items is included in the December 4, 2025 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, December 5

An executive briefing conference call for institutional financial aid staff is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025 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 December 5, 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 2632 782 1871.

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.

2025-26 MAP First-Term Claims Due December 5
Sent to  Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAP Users, and Business Officers on November 21, 2025.

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

This message provides important reminders regarding the submission of 2025-26 Monetary Award Program (MAP) payment requests (claims) for the first term (fall semester or quarter). You are encouraged to submit 2025-26 first-term claims as soon as possible.

First-Term Claim Deadline: December 5

  • ISAC is accepting 2025-26 MAP claims for the first term.
    • The first-term MAP claim deadline date is Friday, December 5, 2025.
    • Any initial MAP claims submitted after a term's claim deadline date will be considered late and will only be paid if funds remain after paying all timely claims.
  • When submitting claims, remember that ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2025-26 MAP grants for all students whose initial Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is received by the federal processor, or whose initial Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) is received by ISAC, after June 5, 2025.
  • Colleges may submit claims by accessing the MAP system, as well as by File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
  • More information regarding MAP payment functionality, including detailed instructions, is available at the following locations:

Reminders for Submitting Claims

  • Colleges are always encouraged to submit claims as soon as they are able to do so.
    • Regularly check the "Payment List" in the MAP system (within the GAP Access portal) to identify newly-added records that are available for payment.
    • The timely submission of claims and cancellations/adjustments allows ISAC staff to monitor remaining funds and award other students, as applicable.
  • By submitting a claim, the institution is confirming that the student is enrolled and continues to meet all MAP eligibility requirements.
    • If not submitting a claim, the institution reports the reason for the student's ineligibility.
  • Submitting claims is a two-step process, which involves generating the request (either individually or in a batch) and then submitting the request.
  • Payment results are available in the MAP system on a daily basis.
    • Colleges are encouraged to always review the Payment Results/Exceptions report, which is available the day after claims are processed.
  • The disbursement of funds is processed by the State Comptroller's Office.
  • Because Payment Offset and Reconciliation procedures apply to MAP funds, refund checks should not be sent for cancellations/adjustments made throughout the award year.
    • Funds should only be returned to ISAC after a final reconciliation has been completed at the end of the regular school year.

Watch for Future Updates

Any future program updates will be shared with colleges via ISAC's standard methods of communication, including: the MAP Program News page; the FAA Message Board; and, ISAC's e-Messaging service.

Correction: ISAC Adminstrative Rules Update
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 November 17, 2025.

An e-Message sent November 12 regarding ISAC Administrative Rules contained an incorrect House Bill number in the last paragraph. The reference to "HB3605, Senate Amendment 2" should be "HB3065, Senate Amendment 2." We apologize for any confusion this error caused.

Illinois HB3065 passed both houses of the General Assembly on October 31, 2025. This bill amends the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program by updating definitions, eligibility requirements, and administrative procedures for awarding grants. If signed, ISAC will review and determine next steps for administrative rules.

ISAC Adminstrative Rules Update
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 November 12, 2025.

Please find below a summary of recent and upcoming administrative rulemaking activities from ISAC for the most recent academic years. Also note that ISAC has a new Agency Rules Coordinator, Sarah Dulay, as of August 2025. Sarah is a member of the Partner Services team, and can be contacted as follows:

Sarah Dulay
Agency Rules Coordinator
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
847-831-6757
[email protected]

2024-25 Academic Year

ISAC's four adopted rules were published in the Illinois Register (Volume 49, Issue 44) on October 31, 2025. The full text of these rules can be found at:

https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/departments/index/register/volume49/register_volume49_44.pdf

Summaries of the changes are as follows:

  • Part 2700: General Provisions – Changes primarily involve revised definitions and small wording adjustments to clarify existing provisions without altering their intent. Proof of residency no longer includes tax returns or tax documents.
  • Part 2730: Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program – Clarifies the priority claim dates for submission of payment requests.
  • Part 2735: Monetary Award Program (MAP) – Changes primarily involve revised definitions and small wording adjustments to clarify existing provisions without altering their intent.
  • Part 2751: Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program – New part. Promulgates the rules for the 2024-25 ECACE program.

2025-26 Academic Year

ISAC's seven proposed rules were published in the Illinois Register (Volume 49, Issue 42) on October 17, 2025. This began the 45-day public comment period, ending December 1, 2025. The 25-26 Rules will be presented as an agenda item at the December 2025 Commission meeting. The full text of these rules can be found at:

https://www.isac.org/e-library/documents/administrative-rules/2025-26-ISAC-Rules/2025-26-Proposed-October-2025.pdf

Summaries of the changes are as follows:

  • Part 2743: Grant Program for Exonerees – Updated to add allowances for dependents of exonerees to receive benefits.
  • Part 2749: Nursing Education Scholarship – Updating the sections in the Part, removing redundancies and consolidating language for easier readability.
  • Part 2750: Illinois Graduate and Retain our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Program – Updates applicant eligibility criteria pertaining to academic performance and clarifying definitions.
    • Please note: this program was not funded for the 2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) in the State of Illinois budget.
  • Part 2752: Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program – Updated to add a definition of a human services agency and to clarify the employment eligibility at time of application.
  • Part 2753: Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program – Updated to add a definition of behavioral health professional and to update applicant eligibility criteria.
  • Part 2755: Journalism Student Scholarship Program – New part.
  • Part 2776: Workforce Development Through Charitable Loan Repayment Program – New part.

Please note: At the time of printing the proposed rules in the Illinois Register on October 17, the 24-25 rules had not yet been published for adoption. For this reason, ISAC delayed any changes to Part 2751: Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program for the 2025-26 academic year. Further, ISAC was asked by the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to review language in Part 2700: General Provisions that defines the regular school year. ISAC's intent is to review these two items within this fiscal year. Additional updates will be provided when available.

2026-27 Academic Year

ISAC is compiling its agenda for rules items for the 2026-27 academic year and will provide additional details when available. Preliminarily, ISAC anticipates proposing changes to the following rules:

  • Part 2700: General Provisions
  • Part 2730: Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program
  • Part 2735: Monetary Award Program (MAP)
  • Part 2746: Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program
  • Part 2760: State Scholar Program
  • Part 5375: Public Information, Rulemaking and Organization

October 2025 Veto Session – Next Steps for Administrative Rules

During the recent Fall Veto session in October 2025, the Illinois General Assembly proposed changes that would impact several ISAC programs (HB3065*, Senate Amendment 2). These changes have not yet been signed into law by the Governor. If signed, ISAC will review and determine next steps for administrative rules.

* Note: this message initially had an incorrect House Bill number, which has since been corrected. A follow-up message, explaining the error, was sent on November 17, 2025.

Early Bird Registration Open for 13th Annual Success Network Conference – Register Today!
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on November 5, 2025.

Please join us at the 13th annual Illinois Education and Career Success Network (Success Network) annual conference – Stronger Together: Creating Opportunity for Every Learner – on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Our one-day event will return to Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois. The Success Network's annual conference is designed for a diverse group of stakeholders committed to enhancing equitable postsecondary attainment across Illinois. This includes leaders from secondary and postsecondary education, local and state government, community-based organizations, policymakers and advocates, grantmakers, employers, and workforce development. The conference serves as an engaging learning opportunity where attendees collaborate to share best practices, explore innovative strategies, and discuss systemic challenges affecting students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Participants can expect a dynamic environment that fosters networking, knowledge exchange, and actionable insights aimed at driving systemic change to support student success throughout Illinois.

Early Bird Pricing: Register now to save 15% with Early Bird pricing – available now through December 31, 2025, or until the first 150 tickets are sold (whichever comes first).

The Illinois Education and Career Success Network (formerly the Illinois 60 by 2025 Network) is a growing network of communities in Illinois that are committed to advancing equitable postsecondary attainment. The Success Network was launched and is organized by: Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University (EdSystems), and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

Training Opportunities 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 November 3, 2025.

 Mark your calendar for upcoming training opportunities for financial aid administrators.

ILASFAA Fall Workshops

Be sure to take part in the following Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) events.

ISAC Webinars

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, 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].

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ISAC UPDATE

October 2025 Electronic ISAC Update
Sent on November 3, 2025.

The October 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 October 2025 ISAC Update include:

  • 2026-27 MAP Start-Up Implemented
    (sent October 17, 2025)
  • ISAC Monthly Webinars for FAAs
    (sent October 15, 2025)
  • Reminder: Registration Closes Soon
    (sent October 14, 2025)
  • Register for Upcoming Book Discussions
    (sent October 2, 2025)
  • 2026-27 FAFSA, Alternative Application, and Important Dates
    (sent October 1, 2025)
  • September 2025 Electronic ISAC Update
    (sent October 1, 2025)

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