IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING STATE FINANCIAL AID FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS:

On July 24, 2026, a federal district court ruled that undocumented students are no longer eligible to receive financial assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) for the 2026-2027 school year. The court’s ruling is the result of the Trump Administration suing the State of Illinois to deny college access to undocumented students who have graduated from Illinois high schools. SEE MORE ﹀

JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois · ISAC is an official agency of the State of Illinois

Helpful Links:

ACT exam

AP Courses

Best Colleges Index

Cappex – College & Scholarship Search (login required)

Credit Card Smarts Fact Sheets

Federal Student Aid (FSA) YouTube Channel (informational videos)

Illinois Career Information System – Career & Job Search (login required)

Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois Labor Unions

Illinois workNet Center

Mapping Your Future's Career Guidance/Job Search

Monster.com

My Future, My Way (for middle & jr. high students from the U.S. Department of Education)

Occupational Outlook Handbook (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

SAT

Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)

Student & Parent Message Board

The Student & Parent Message Board is updated regularly – check back often for the latest information.

NEW 2026-27 Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship application available.

The 2026-27 Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship application is now available to complete and submit online. The date by which your application must be submitted is based on the first term for which you wish to receive funds. Further details are provided at the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship page.

NEW 2026-27 Grant Program for Exonerees and their Dependents application available

The 2026-27 Grant Program for Exonerees and Their Dependents application is now available to complete and submit online. Further details are provided at the Grant Program for Exonerees and Their Dependents page.

NEW 2026-27 Teachers of Illinois Scholarship application available

Attention current teachers and students planning to become teachers: the 2026-27 Teachers of Illinois Scholarship application is now available to complete and submit online. The application priority consideration deadline is September 18, 2026. Further details are provided at the Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program page and in a July 16 e-Message.

Upcoming important dates from ISAC

May 28 e-Messages provide upcoming important dates and information that may be of interest to both students and parents.

Suspension of 2026-27 MAP award announcements

April 23, 2026 will be the last day for students to apply for 2026-27 MAP grants by submitting an initial 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or, for qualifying students, an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. Announcements of awards for students whose FAFSAs are received by the federal processor or whose Alternative Applications are received by ISAC after that date will be put "in suspense" – basically, a waiting list for 2026-27 MAP. Further details are provided on the MAP page.

The links below have information on topics that were previously listed on the Message Board.

Outreach Calendar/Events