2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) Symposium

FAFSA Symposium Welcome and Kick Off

Join us for a warm welcome and kickoff to ISAC’s sixth annual FAFSA Symposium! This opening session will provide an overview of key updates for the 2027-2028 FAFSA cycle and what they mean for students and families. We will also highlight what you can expect throughout the symposium and share insights to help you prepare for the upcoming financial aid cycle.

Ana Moya, Manager, Professional Learning Communities, Illinois Student Assistance Commission

FAFSA Symposium Welcome and Kick Off (pdf)

Recording

Overview of New ISAC Programs

ISAC's Division of Program Services & Compliance (PSC) will share the new – and changes to existing - financial aid programs ISAC offers, including, Displaced Energy Workers, Nursing Education, Early Childhood Access, veterans’ programs, and more. We will also discuss, program eligibility and application timelines.

Sherry Schonauer, Assistant Director, Partner Services, Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Overview of New ISAC Programs (pdf)

Recording

Running Effective Financial Aid Workshops in Uncertain Times

With ongoing policy changes and the transition to a “simplified” process, hosting a financial aid workshop today requires more than just a laptop and Wi-Fi. This session provides practitioners with a practical roadmap for running successful application workshops in a rapidly changing educational and political landscape. Participants will learn about challenges faced in the field, resources used by field staff, and how to troubleshoot common technical challenges families encounter during the application process. We will also explore strategies for proactive outreach and effectively supporting mixed-status families who may face additional barriers to completing the FAFSA. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a practical toolkit to reduce student stress, increase application completion, and help ensure students have equitable access to financial aid.

Abel Montoya, Director of Outreach Operations, Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Running Effective Financial Aid Workshops in Uncertain Times (pdf)

Recording

Empowering Foster Care Youth to Postsecondary Education

Foster Progress, a community-based organization, empowers current and former foster care students in Illinois to pursue a postsecondary degree and transition into adulthood. Hear about the challenges and supports foster care youth encounter during the financial aid process.

LaTerrian Officer-McIntosh, Program Manager, Foster Progress

Empowering Foster Care Youth to Postsecondary Education (pdf)

Recording

From High School to College in One Click

One Click College Admit is a free Illinois initiative that streamlines admission to Illinois public universities and community colleges by allowing high school seniors to receive direct admission offers based on their GPA, eliminating application fees, essays, and recommendation letters. Students opt-in to share their GPA with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), which matches them with institutions starting in their senior year.

Krystal Sanchez, Training and Development Specialist, Illinois Student Assistance Commission

From High School to College in One Click (pdf)

Recording

A New Approach: Helping Students Understand Financial Literacy

Learn about a new financial capability initiative that is offered to students receiving financial aid in Illinois. We will discuss program details and how the Economic Awareness Council, City Colleges of Chicago, and ISAC are partnering together to accomplish this.

Moises Sanchez, Financial Educator and Bank on Assistant Manager, Economic Awareness Council

Helping Students Understand Financial Literacy (pdf)

Recording

Helping Homeless Youth Fill Out the FAFSA

This webinar will provide a step-by-step guide on helping students experiencing homelessness fill out the FAFSA 2026-27. The webinar will help participants gain an understanding of students’ dependency status on the FAFSA and the types of documentation required for students experiencing homelessness to access financial aid.

Caleb McKay, FAFSA Completion Senior Manager, SchoolHouse Connection

Helping Homeless Youth Fill Out the FAFSA (pdf)

Recording

A Guide to the 2026-27 Alternative Application

ISAC’s Professional Development team will share details about changes to the 2026-2027 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

Nicole Boyd, Training and Development Specialist, Illinois Student Assistance Commission

A Guide to the 2026-27 Alternative Application (pdf)

Recording

Accessing DCFS Postsecondary Education Supports

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) supports youth with lived experience in care across the State of Illinois. Our Postsecondary Support Options provide youth with lived experience in care with mentoring, financial assistance, resources to learn about their postsecondary options, DCFS scholarships and tuition and fee waivers, federal funding, and preparing for life after high school.

Laura C Gutiérrez, Post-Secondary Education Specialist, Office of Education and Transition Services, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Accessing DCFS Postsecondary Education Supports (pdf)

Recording