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Volume 17, Number 1
July 2007 - September 2007
Welcome to the July - September 2007 electronic ISAC Communiqué, which is a quarterly compilation of e-Messages sent through College Zone’s e-Messaging service throughout July, August and September. This e-Messaging service has replaced both printed newsletters and special e-mail lists as ISAC’s primary means of communicating information to you.
The articles in this electronic Communiqué have been organized according to the Counselor Zone subscription groups to which the messages were distributed via College Zone’s e-Messaging service.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this electronic Communiqué can be directed to School Services at 866.247.2172 or at schoolservices@isac.org. 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
HSSP Sixth Semester Roster Data Due October 19, 2007
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on September 18, 2007. HSSP 6th Semester Academic Information Rosters, Certification Forms and blank Rank-in-Class Rosters [used to identify students who may be eligible for the State Scholar, Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS), and/or Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship programs for the 2008-09 academic year] were sent on September 17th to Illinois high schools which did not submit a school-generated roster. When referred to collectively, these three programs are known as the High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP).
Reminders
As part of our continuing efforts to simplify the HSSP process, the following elements from last year's HSSP cycle remain in effect:
- Schools need only provide information for those students in the top 50% of the class.
- Schools must use unweighted grade point averages (GPAs) only.
- Only finalists will be announced. There will be no roster of potential awardees.
Rosters Due On or Before October 19th
Completed rosters, which aid in the identification of State Scholar recipients, are due back to ISAC on or before Friday, October 19, 2007. Instructions for completing the rosters were included in the mailing, and are also available within the Sixth Semester Roster Packet section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com.
If high schools prefer, they can still submit school-generated rosters which contain accurate sixth semester data. Special care should be taken to ensure that only sixth semester data (defined as the third semester prior to graduation) is submitted.
Announcement of Finalists To Take Place in November
We anticipate sending final announcement rosters to high schools in late November. In order to adhere as closely as possible to this deadline, please make every effort to return your school's completed rosters by the October 19th due date.
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"The FAFSA Made Easy" & "Planning a Successful Financial Aid Event" Sessions - Register Now
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on September 11, 2007. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will once again host a series of professional development opportunities designed to help high school counselors, community organization members, financial aid administrators and other professionals involved in assisting Illinois students and their families along the path to college. Counselor Professional Development Units can be earned at each session. All events are free and require online registration through collegezone.com.
We begin our series with "The FAFSA Made Easy" focusing on the intricacies of the 2008-09 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), student eligibility, and common mistakes. Developed as an intensive line-by-line review of the FAFSA, this training will place special emphasis on the dependency questions, financial aid worksheets, and eligible non-citizens. Several case studies, including the completion of a FAFSA, have been incorporated into this year's session.
In addition, based on feedback from high school counselors and community organization members, a second training opportunity, "Planning a Successful Financial Aid Event" has been added to "The FAFSA Made Easy." Participants may now attend an afternoon session designed to help with the planning, promotion, and execution of successful financial aid presentations or other college outreach events. Those new to outreach event planning will be provided with tips, tools, and techniques for everything from cost to marketing to logistics. Experienced counselors are also highly encouraged to attend to share ideas, advice and best practices.
These free sessions (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) will be offered this fall at locations throughout the state. A list of locations is available in the Partner Training section within the e-Library at collegezone.com. Continental breakfast will be provided and onsite registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Register online today.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
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Deadline to Submit HSSP School-Generated Rosters Extended
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on August 31, 2007.
ISAC is extending the deadline for schools to submit school-generated sixth semester rosters for the High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP) to September 11, 2007. Originally, high schools were requested to submit these rosters to ISAC by August 24th. Receipt of school-generated sixth semester rosters prevents ISAC from generating rosters for schools to review and revise at a later date.
If you have already submitted your school-generated roster, thank you for providing the information. If not, please consider doing so on or before the extended deadline of September 11, 2007. Student-specific sixth-semester data is used to make awards for the State Scholar and Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship programs for the 2008-09 academic year, as well as for the Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Program if funds are appropriated.
As a reminder, HSSP rosters containing sixth semester academic data should be mailed to:
D2A, School Services
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
If you choose to fax your school's roster, you may do so at 847.831.8549.
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ISAC Kicks Off 2007 Hispanic Heritage Month: Conducting a Financial Aid Presentation in Spanish
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on August 28, 2007. Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the fourth annual presentation of our very popular professional development event: How to Conduct a Financial Aid Presentation in Spanish.
Spanish is the primary language spoken in more American homes than any other foreign language. Most students look to their parents for guidance in the college selection process. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find that many parents with limited English proficiency lack basic knowledge about the financial aid process and programs available to help meet the rising costs of a college education. As a result, their children, who may qualify for financial aid, often apply late or don't apply at all.
If you, or someone in your school or organization, speak Spanish and are interested in learning more about the financial aid process in order to serve Spanish-speaking families, please join us. Based on feedback from the admission, guidance, and financial aid communities we have created a training event to help you speak "financial aid" and prepare a financial aid presentation in Spanish.
The agenda includes the following:
- a ready-to-use PowerPoint presentation complete with talking points;
- a review of the resources available in Spanish;
- an overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
- a question and answer period.
Option 1:
- September 14, 2007
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
University of Illinois at Chicago, 1200 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60680-5220
Student Services Building (SSB), Room C
Campus map
Option 2:
- October 12, 2007
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Governors State University, One University Parkway, University Park, IL 60466
Room: Hall of Fame
Campus map
Continental breakfast will be served.
Tools and Resources
A number of services are available in Spanish through College Zone.
- Spanish-speaking College Zone Counselors can help students and parents with questions about planning, finding, applying and paying for college at 800.899.4722, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Access collegezone.com in Spanish by selecting "Español" from the home page.
- The College Illinois! Web site is also available in Spanish.
- A number of brochures and presentations are offered in Spanish as follows:
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2007-08 Professional Development Opportunities Offered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on August 28, 2007. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will once again host a series of professional development opportunities designed to help high school counselors, community organization members, financial aid administrators and other professionals involved in assisting Illinois students and their families along the path to college. Provided below is a brief description of each of the five sessions being offered this year. Counselor Professional Development Units can be earned at every session. All events are free and require online registration.
"Conducting a Financial Aid Presentation in Spanish"
Spanish is the primary language spoken in more American homes than any other foreign language. Most students look to their parents for guidance in the college selection process. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find that many parents with limited English proficiency lack basic knowledge about the financial aid process and programs available to help meet the rising costs of a college education. As a result, their children, who may qualify for financial aid, often apply late or don't apply at all.
If you, or someone in your school or organization, speak Spanish and are interested in learning more about the financial aid process in order to serve Spanish-speaking families, please join us. Based on feedback from the admission, guidance, and financial aid communities we have created a training event to help you speak "financial aid" and prepare a financial aid presentation in Spanish.
These free sessions (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) will be offered during September at 2 locations. Registration begins August 28th.
"The FAFSA Made Easy" & "Planning a Successful Financial Aid Event"
"The FAFSA Made Easy" focuses on the intricacies of the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), student eligibility, and common mistakes. Developed as an intensive line-by-line review of the FAFSA, this training will place special emphasis on the dependency questions, financial aid worksheets, and eligible non-citizens. Several case studies, including the completion of a FAFSA, have been incorporated into this year's session.
In addition, based on feedback from high school counselors and community organization members, a second training opportunity, "Planning a Successful Financial Aid Event" has been added to "The FAFSA Made Easy." Participants may now attend an afternoon session designed to help with the planning, promotion, and execution of successful financial aid presentations or other college outreach events. Those new to outreach event planning will be provided with tips, tools, and techniques for everything from cost to marketing to logistics. Experienced counselors are also highly encouraged to attend to share ideas, advice and best practices.
These free sessions (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) will be offered this fall at 8 locations throughout the state. Registration begins September 5th.
"FAFSA Expert Training" & "Understanding Financial Aid Packaging"
This winter, the professional development series continues with our most popular session, "FAFSA Expert Training." This session builds on the information and case studies presented in "The FAFSA Made Easy" and goes far beyond the line-by-line review of the FAFSA. Complex tax, asset, eligibility and need analysis questions are discussed. Participants will complete a hand calculation of the Federal Need Analysis Methodology and learn how the information provided on the FAFSA is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Again, in response to feedback from high school counselors and community based organization members, an afternoon session has also been added to this training event. Last year we introduced "Understanding Financial Aid Packaging." This highly rated session provides an overview of the elements involved in financial aid packaging as well as comprehensive consumer education information designed to assist you as you help your students prepare for the financial responsibilities associated with financing college.
These free sessions (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) will be offered this winter at 9 locations throughout the state. Registration begins December 12th.
How to Register
Registration details, including dates and locations, will be available online from the Partner Training area of the e-Library at collegezone.com. We will also be sending e-Messages with the latest information and updates about this series of year-round training sessions. If you have colleagues who are not already e-Messaging subscribers, now is the perfect time for them to take advantage of its convenience. Encourage them to sign up through the front page of the Counselor Zone.
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Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
Sent to Pincipals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on August 14, 2007. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to make you aware of the following information, which may be of interest to you and/or your college-bound students and their families.
2007-08 ISAC Administrative Rules Available
ISAC Administrative Rules, which have been adopted for the 2007-08 academic year, are available within the e-Library at collegezone.com.
Through August 19th: Illinois State Fair
Visit with ISAC staff in Campus Town at the 2007 Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Campus Town is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the fair, which runs from August 10th through August 19th.
August 24th: School Generated Sixth-Semester Rosters Due
Last April, ISAC sent high schools an overview letter with the delivery process and timeframes for the upcoming cycle of the State Scholar, Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS), and Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship programs [collectively referred to as the High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP)]. ISAC gathers information during 2007-08, including sixth-semester data from high schools, that is used in making student awards for the 2008-09 academic year. School-generated sixth semester rosters must be submitted to ISAC on or before August 24, 2007 to prevent ISAC from generating a roster at a later date (currently anticipated for September 7th).
September 3rd: Labor Day
Due to the Labor Day holiday, ISAC offices will be closed on Monday, September 3rd and will reopen on Tuesday, September 4th.
Remember that you can access collegezone.com anytime, or send an e-mail message to ISAC's School Services Department. With the exception of holidays, ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
A complete listing of 2007 holidays on which ISAC staff will be unavailable is provided at the ISAC Events Calendar.
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High School Counselors/Teachers
Important Information from Commission Meeting
Sent on September 24, 2007. Note: There is an Executive Briefing Conference Call scheduled for Wednesday, September 26th at 10 a.m. for exclusive discussion on Commission action regarding the federal default fee. All FFELP partners (schools and lenders) are encouraged to take part. Please take note of the call-in procedures listed below.
At its September 21st meeting, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission took action on the following items as part of the agenda.
Revised Federal Default Fee Payment Policy for 2007-08 Academic Year Approved
The Commission approved a revised policy effective for Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans guaranteed on or after December 1, 2007. ISAC will pay one-half of the 1% federally-mandated default fee on behalf of the borrower only if the lender agrees to pay the remaining 50% of the fee. (Previously, ISAC has paid the entire fee on behalf of the student.)
This action has become necessary as a result of the passage by Congress, and the expected signing by President Bush, of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (CCRA). The CCRA, once signed by the president, has an effective date of October 1, 2007, and reduces a number of fees and payments made by the federal government to the student loan community.
In keeping with our commitment to make college affordable for Illinois students, ISAC will be paying the fee on the student's behalf by teaming with our own student loan lender, the Illinois Designated Account Purchase Program (IDAPP). IDAPP will be sharing the cost of the 1% fee on loans made by IDAPP once the new policy becomes effective. ISAC lending partners are being asked to join in this commitment and team up with ISAC to pay one half of the default fee as a means to ensure that students are able to retain this valuable borrower benefit. Taking our commitment to students further, the Commission has authorized issuing guarantees only when the student receives the full loan amount, with no deductions for the default fee.
Because this revision in our policy impacts not only our operations, but those of our school and lender partners as well, we are hosting an Executive Briefing Conference Call to discuss the policy and will use this e-Messaging service to provide regular information updates as the operational details are finalized.
Executive Briefing Conference Call for FFELP Participants
Executive Director Andy Davis will lead a conference call discussion of the revised policy for payment of the federal default fee approved by the Commission at Friday's meeting. The conference call, for FFELP partners at lending institutions and FFELP schools, will be held at
10 a.m., Wednesday, September 26th. To participate, dial 888.767.9380 and enter the passcode 9767339#.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Commission meeting is set for Friday, November 16, 2007, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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Web Site Outage this Afternoon
Sent on July 23, 2007.
Due to unforeseen technological issues, access to collegezone.com will be interrupted later this afternoon.
While it is expected that the maintenance necessary to resolve the issue will take a maximum of only 5 minutes once initiated at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon, a worst-case scenario could involve collegezone.com being unavailable until sometime tomorrow, Tuesday, July 24th. Please bear with us if you're unable to access our Web site during this time.
If the expected outage extends into Tuesday, we will notify you via this e-Messaging service once access to collegezone.com has been restored.
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ISAC Communiqué
New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone
Sent on July 2, 2007
The latest “electronic-only” edition of the ISAC Communiqué is now available for your review within the ISAC Publications section of College Zone's e-Library. This electronic version of ISAC's newsletter is a quarterly compilation of information provided to Counselor Zone partners via College Zone's e-Messaging service during the months of January, February and March.
Topics covered in this electronic Communiqué include:
- Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
- New Cycle Underway for High School Scholarship Programs
- Comparing Financial Aid Packages
- Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
- Money Smart Week Chicago: April 300 - May 5, 2007
- New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone
Electronic newsletters are available at the beginning of each quarter (January, April, July, and October), and are the compilation of information announced via an e-Message to any of the Counselor Zone subscription groups during the previous quarter.
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