 |
Volume 18, Number 2
October 2008 - December 2008
Welcome to the October - December 2008 electronic ISAC Communiqué, which is a quarterly compilation of e-Messages sent through College Zone’s e-Messaging service throughout October, November and December. 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
Happy Holidays from ISAC
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants, Community Organizations, IllinoisMentor Counselors and Public Libraries on December 17, 2008.
Our entire organization would like to wish all of our high school, college, community organization and library partners a safe and very happy holiday season.
We appreciate having the opportunity to serve the citizens of Illinois, and look forward to working with you throughout the next year.
Best wishes for a healthy and peaceful 2009.
Holiday Schedules
Due to the holidays, ISAC staff will be unavailable on the following dates:
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday,
December 24, 2008
- All day on Thursday, December 25, 2008
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday,
December 31, 2008
- All day on Thursday, January 1, 2009
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, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
Return to Top
2009-10 Teacher Program Applications Available - Due on or before March 1, 2009
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on December 12, 2008.
2009-10 TESP Interactive Application Launched
The interactive application for 2009-10 Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP), used to apply for the Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) Program and the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program, is available at collegezone.com. This online application offers such benefits as providing program information at the applicant's fingertips, performing online edits to prevent errors, allowing faster delivery time, and generating immediate confirmation that the application has been received.
As a reminder, only applicants with a valid digital ID from the State of Illinois will be able to access the online application. Applicants who obtained a digital ID for a previous year's TESP application process will use that same digital ID this year. Detailed information regarding the IFTC Program and the MTI Scholarship Program and the application process, including 2009-10 teacher shortage disciplines for the IFTC Program, is available within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area. These resources will assist you with questions you receive from students regarding the TESP application process.
The Student Zone provides applicants with direct access to details about the IFTC Program and MTI Scholarship Program. Applicants have access to information regarding the application process, including instructions for specific application fields, once they access the Teacher Education Scholarship Programs area and launch the application.
2009-10 Illinois SETTW Program Application Available
The 2009-10 Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Application is now available to print, complete and submit. Students pursuing a degree in special education who are willing to commit to teaching in Illinois after completing their degrees may be eligible to apply. Details about this program, including eligibility requirements, are provided in the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
2009-10 Nurse Educator Scholarship Program Application Available
The 2009-10 Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP) Application is now available to print, complete and submit. Graduate-level students pursuing a career in professional or practical nursing education who are willing to commit to teaching in Illinois after completing their degrees may be eligible to apply. Details about this program, including eligibility requirements, are provided in the Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP) section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
Return to Top
Electronic Transcript Exchange Usage at an All-Time High
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers , Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange High School Participants, and Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange College Participants on December 11, 2008. As the year comes to a close, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is happy to announce that usage of the Electronic Transcript Exchange is at an all-time high. With more than 100 high schools participating in the program, counselors sent more than 2,000 official electronic transcripts to 45 colleges and universities in Illinois this year.
To view a list of participating high schools and colleges, visit the Electronic Transcript Exchange Resource Library at IllinoisMentor.org.
As high schools all over Illinois are discovering, the Electronic Transcript Exchange simplifies the transcript sending process and allows them to save time and money on paper, printing and postage. High school setup is easier than ever and takes as little as four business days to complete.
If your high school is not currently participating in the Electronic Transcript Exchange program and would like more information on how to enroll in this service, please contact the dedicated IllinoisMentor High School Support Staff by phone at 800.899.4722, ext. 3840, or via e-mail at ILTE@isac.org.
The Electronic Transcript Exchange is sponsored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and is provided at no cost to all Illinois students, high schools, and colleges. Return to Top
2009-10 State Scholar Announcements Posted at College Zone
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on December 3, 2008. ISAC is pleased to announce that qualified Illinois high school students have been designated as 2009-10 State Scholars. A listing of all 2009-10 State Scholars - displayed alphabetically by high school, within each school's county - is now available within the 8th-12th Grades area of the Student Zone at collegezone.com. As part of our continuing efforts to conserve both financial and natural resources, this online listing of State Scholars replaces the Announcement Rosters for State Scholar Finalists that were mailed to high schools in previous years.
A November 20th e-Message provides information for counselors regarding the 2009-10 State Scholar announcement process.
Return to Top
Commission Meeting Summary Default Fee Payment Policy Unchanged
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers and College Admission Counselors on November 24, 2008.
At its November 21st meeting, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) took action on several items as part of the agenda.
Continued Partial Payment of Federal Default Fee for 2009-10
The Commission approved the continued payment of 25% of the federal default fee for students borrowing through the Federal Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) and Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Programs. The default fee paid on behalf of parents borrowing Federal PLUS loans remains at 0%. It is estimated that ISAC will waive $1.2 million of federal default fees for student borrowers in the upcoming academic year.
Procedures for lender remittance of the remaining portion of the federal default fees to ISAC remain the same as are currently being used.
Other Action Items Approved
The following items were also approved at the meeting:
- Kendall College application for participation in ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (Agenda Item #9)
- Financing for College Illinois! SM Capstone Loan Program
- IDAPP Investment Policy
Information Items
These items were presented to the Commissioners for informational purposes (no action was required):
- Changes in Affordability of a College Education for Illinois Community College and Public University Students FY1997 - FY2007 (Agenda Item #7)
- FY2010 Grant Program Budget Issues (Agenda Item #8)
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2009, on the campus of Benedictine University in Lisle.
Return to Top
2009-10 State Scholars To Be Announced Next Week: Online Listing Replaces Announcement Rosters
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on November 20, 2008.
In keeping with our goal of making announcements prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) anticipates announcing 2009-10 State Scholars next week (on or before November 26th). The below message outlines several exciting new components that have been incorporated into the 2009-10 State Scholar Program announcement process.
State Scholars Receive Paid Subscription to Encyclopædia Britannica Online
Although the State Scholar Program has historically been an honorary (rather than financial) award, ISAC will recognize the academic achievement of those Illinois students who have been named 2009-10 State Scholars by presenting each with a paid subscription (through June 30, 2010) to the online version of the Encyclopædia Britannica.
Listing of State Scholars Will Be Posted at collegezone.com
As part of our continuing efforts to conserve both financial and natural resources, an online listing of 2009-10 State Scholars will replace the Announcement Rosters for State Scholar Finalists that were mailed to high schools in previous years. The online listing - which will display each State Scholar alphabetically by high school, within the school's Illinois county - will be located in the Scholarships section of the Student Zone's 8th-12th Grades area at collegezone.com. A link to the listing will also be provided within the State Scholar Program section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
High schools will be mailed the Certificates of Achievement for their State Scholars, along with a listing of the school's students who were considered but not selected as eligible finalists. Counselors may distribute the certificates according to the preferences of each school. For those schools presenting the Certificates of Achievement to State Scholars during a high school honors ceremony, counselors are reminded to keep the certificates in a safe location where they can be easily accessed in the spring.
Individual congratulatory letters, along with details regarding benefits of and access to the Encyclopædia Britannica subscriptions, will be mailed directly to the State Scholars by ISAC.
We anticipate the online posting of 2009-10 State Scholars, the mailing of Certificates of Achievement to high schools, and the mailing of congratulatory letters to State Scholars to take place prior to close of business on Wednesday, November 26, 2008. Visit the State Scholar Program News section, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area, for status updates.
Carefully Review Listing of Non-finalists - Appeals Due On or Before January 30th
Counselors should carefully review the listing of non-finalists (included with the Certificates of Achievement) to ensure there are no errors. If a high school counselor feels that a student should have been designated as a State Scholar and was not, ISAC must receive a letter of appeal from the student on or before Friday, January 30, 2009. Details regarding the appeals process are provided at the Appeals page, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
Return to Top
College Awareness and Preparation Workshop for Site Coordinators
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, and Community Organizations on
November 12, 2008.
The College Awareness and Preparation (CAP) committee invites you to a free workshop that will provide information on strategies to help ensure your target population is in attendance at your outreach event, with particular emphasis on FAFSA Completion Workshops. Real research data will be used to communicate effective strategies for reaching your audience, including the proper use of marketing materials, value messages, and the always-important reason that outreach is necessary. We will also have an open forum discussion where we will invite you to share your success stories with fellow attendees. Additionally, a short overview of the 2009-10 FAFSA highlighting the changes made to the form for the upcoming year will be provided. The training will be provided by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and will offer 3.5 CPDUs for attending counselors.
Registration the day of the workshop begins at 8:30 a.m., with the session itself starting at 9 a.m. There will be a working lunch at 11:30 a.m., and the session will conclude at 12:30 p.m.
Dates and Locations:
November 19, 2008
John A. Logan Community College
Room: TBD
November 20, 2008
Loyola University Chicago - Lake Shore Campus
Room: Coffey Hall, McCormick Lounge
December 3, 2008
Carl Sandburg College
Room: CSC Boardroom E200
To make your reservation to attend one of the workshops and/or register your outreach event as part of the statewide CAP outreach initiative, please print and complete the CAP Event Registration form. Follow the instructions provided on the form for submitting your registration.
You can also register to attend a workshop by e-mailing or calling Julie Henschel at jhenschel@isac.org - 800.899.4722 ext. 3825 as soon as possible, but no later than 2 days before the scheduled date. We look forward to seeing you there!
Return to Top
Additional Dates Have Been Added for "The FAFSA Made Easier"
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on October 15, 2008.
Plan to join us in October, November, December, January or February.
The FAFSA Made Easier is designed for counselors, mentors, and college access professionals who are involved in assisting students and families in the process of planning for, applying to, and paying for college. Developed as an intensive line-by-line review of the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), special emphasis is placed on review of changes to the application, dependency questions, student eligibility, and how to avoid common mistakes.
For your convenience, these half-day sessions will be offered at locations across the state at no cost to you. Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) will be provided to participants.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
How to Register
Click here to be directed to online registration.
Details
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
(seminar registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)
Cost: None
Notes: Continental breakfast will be provided.
Locations, Dates and Campus Maps
October 17, 2008
Richland Community College
Schilling Educational Center, Salon 1
One College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
Map
November 7, 2008
Kishwaukee Community College
Conference Center, Room A-225 (Use door 10 or 11)
21193 Malta Road
Malta, IL 60150
Map
November 14, 2008
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Map
November 21, 2008
Spoon River College
Engle Conference Center, Rooms A & B
23235 N. Co 22
Canton, IL 61520
Map
December 5, 2008
Olive Harvey College
Room TBA
10001 S. Woodlawn Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
Map
December 19, 2008
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Map
January 15, 2009
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Map
January 23, 2009
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Map
February 27, 2009
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Map
For more information about the 2008-09 Professional Development Opportunities presented by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), visit the Training Calendar for Partners within the e-Library at collegezone.com or call Julie Henschel at 800.899.4722, ext. 3825. The calendar, particularly registration options, will be updated periodically; so be sure to check back regularly.
Return to Top
November Brings It Back: Online Registration is Now Available for "How to Conduct a Financial Aid Presentation" – in Spanish
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations, and Public Libraries on October 14, 2008.
Join us as we present How to Conduct a Financial Aid Presentation – in Spanish!
Back by popular demand, this interactive half-day
(9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) training event will help you speak "financial aid" and to prepare a financial aid presentation for parents and students.
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 help Spanish-speaking families, plan to join us. This session will be presented entirely in Spanish and includes the following:
- an overview of the financial aid process;
- a multilingual CD with ready-to-use and narrated PowerPoint presentation in Spanish, English, and Polish;
- an introduction to Novelas Educativas;
- a review of resources available in Spanish;
- an overview of the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
- a question and answer period.
To complement your next financial aid night, you will receive a multilingual CD with ready-to-use and narrated PowerPoint presentations and Novelas Educativas - a DVD series of short films created in the style of popular Spanish-language telenovelas.
Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) will be made available to participants.
How to Register
Click here to be directed to online registration.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
(seminar registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)
Host site: Illinois Student Assistance Commission,
Room 3030
1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015
Map
Cost: None
Notes: Continental breakfast will be provided.
For more information about the 2008-09 Professional Development Opportunities presented by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), visit the Training Calendar for Partners within the e-Library at collegezone.com or call Julie Henschel at 800.899.4722, ext. 3825. The calendar, particularly registration options, will be updated periodically; so be sure to check back regularly.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Return to Top
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on October 7, 2008.
From the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) ... information which may be of interest to you and/or your college-bound students and their families.
October 29th: 2008-09 College Illinois!SM General Enrollment Period Opens
The 2008-09 general enrollment period for the College Illinois! 529 prepaid tuition plan opens on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 and continues through April 30, 2009.
October 31st: ISAC-Generated Sixth Semester Rosters Due
ISAC-generated High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP) Sixth Semester Academic Information Rosters (used for 2009-10 academic year processing) are due back to ISAC on or before Friday, October 31, 2008. Details are available at the Sixth Semester Roster Packet page, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com.
Note: the initial phase of a pilot program that provides a means for high schools to electronically submit sixth semester student data is currently open. Illinois high schools interested in participating should contact ISAC's School Services Department as indicated at the bottom of this message. Further details are provided at the High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP) Program News page.
State Scholar Poster Available
A poster which promotes the test dates for ACT, SAT, and Prairie State Achievement exams used in determining eligibility for the 2010-11 Illinois State Scholar Program is available for order through the Order Materials area the Counselor Zone of collegezone.com. High Schools are asked to limit their orders to one poster per institution.
Continuing through February: 2008-09 Professional Development Opportunities
ISAC is hosting a series of professional development opportunities designed to help high school counselors, community organizations and other professionals involved in assisting Illinois students and their families along the path to college. More information, including dates/locations and registration details, is available within the e-Library's Partner Training area at collegezone.com.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC offices will be closed on the following dates:
- Tuesday, November 11, 2008 (Veterans Day Observation)
- Thursday, November 27, 2008 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Friday, November 28, 2008 (Day after Thanksgiving)
- Thursday, December 25, 2008 (Christmas Day)
- Thursday, January 1, 2009 (New Year's Day)
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, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
Return to Top
ISAC Communiqué
New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone
Sent on October 1, 2008
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 July, August and September.
Topics covered in this electronic Communiqué include:
- Get Involved - CAP Committee Seeking Hosts and Volunteers
(sent September 30, 2008)
- HSSP Electronic Delivery System
(sent September 30, 2008)
- "How to Conduct a Financial Aid Presentation - in Polish! Online Registration is Now Available
(sent September 29, 2008)
- Educational Film Series DVD Available
(sent September 24, 2008)
- HSSP Sixth Semester Roster Data Due October 31, 2008
(sent September 17, 2008)
- Submit School-Generated HSSP Rosters on or before Friday, September 12th
(sent September 8, 2008)
- "The Consumer Economics of Higher Education" Online Registration Now Available
(sent September 5, 2008)
- "The FAFSA Made Easier" Online Registration Available
(sent September 4, 2008)
- ISAC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by Presenting "How to Conduct a Financial Aid Presentation - in Spanish!"
(sent August 26, 2008)
- 2008-09 Professional Development Opportunities Brought to You by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
(sent August 19, 2008)
- Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
(sent August 8, 2008)
- New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone (April - June 2008)
(sent July 1, 2008)
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.
Encourage Your Colleagues to Sign Up for e-Messaging
College Zone's e-Messaging service has replaced printed newsletters and special e-mail lists as ISAC's primary means of communicating information to Counselor Zone partners.
Encourage your colleagues to visit the College Zone Counselor e-Messaging Sign-up page today, so that they won't miss any future announcements or updates from ISAC.
Return to Top
|
|
|
|
