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Volume 19, Number 2
October 2009 - December 2009
Welcome to the October - December 2009 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, IllinoisMentor Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on December 15, 2009.
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 you, and look forward to working with you throughout the next year. Regardless of the challenges and changes that may come our way, we remain confident that by working together with you, we will be successful in our goal of making college accessible and affordable for all Illinois students.
Best wishes for a healthy and peaceful 2010.
Upcoming Days When ISAC Staff Will Be Unavailable
ISAC staff will be unavailable on the following dates:
- Thursday, December 24, 2009 (Furlough Day Closure)
- Friday, December 25, 2009 (Christmas Day)
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, December 31, 2009 (New Year's Eve)
- Friday, January 1, 2010 (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 days when the ISAC offices are closed, ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
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2010-11 Applications for Teacher Education Programs Available - Due on or before March 1, 2010
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on December 14, 2009. 2010-11 TESP Interactive Application Launched
The interactive application for 2010-11 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 2010-11 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.
2010-11 Illinois SETTW Program Application Available
The 2010-11 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.
Reminder: 2009-10 Is Last Year for NESP Funding
Per current state legislation, 2009-10 is the last academic year in which funding is to be appropriated for the Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP) for graduate-level students. Absent new legislation, ISAC will not provide a 2010-11 NESP application. Details about this program are provided in the Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP) section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
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We're on the Road Again and on Our Way to a Location Near You...
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on December 2, 2009.
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“FAFSA Expert”
“Consumer Economics of Higher Education”
“FAFSA Made Easier”
Professional Development Opportunities
for Counselors and Mentors – Winter 2010
Brought to you by the
Illinois Student Assistance Commission |
Plan to join us on a date in January or February for “FAFSA Expert,” “FAFSA Made Easier” and “Consumer Economics of Higher Education.” For your convenience, these sessions are offered at no cost at locations near your home or place of work. Plan to attend up to 3 workshops per date and site.
Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) and Continuing Education (CE) credit will be awarded at a rate of one per contact hour.
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Time: |
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (welcome desk opens at 8:30 a.m.) |
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Cost: |
None, $0, Zip, Zilch, Nada |
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Note: |
Continental breakfast will be provided. Lunch is on your own. | How to Register
Online registration is now available.
Agenda and Session Descriptions
- Registration and Continental Breakfast
(8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
- Welcome remarks (9 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.)
- Session 1: “FAFSA Expert” (9:10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)
Participants will build on information presented in "FAFSA Made Easier." Complex tax, asset, eligibility and need analysis questions are discussed. Using case studies that reflect real life situations, participants will complete guided calculations of the Federal Need Analysis Methodology and learn how the information reported on the FAFSA impacts a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- Session 2: “Consumer Economics of Higher Education”
(11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
At this highly rated session, participants are introduced to key elements for understanding financial aid options and to comprehensive consumer education information. Participants will gain insight to help students identify their best college options, decipher award letters, and prepare for the responsibilities associated with financing college.
- Lunch on your own (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
- Session 3: “FAFSA Made Easier” (1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
Developed as an intensive line-by-line review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 2010-11. Participants will gain insight about current intricacies of the FAFSA and anticipated changes. Special emphasis is placed on dependency questions, financial aid worksheets, issues of student eligibility, and how to avoid common mistakes. Location and Dates
View and print a complete schedule of sessions, including descriptions, dates and locations.
Questions
For more information about the 2009-10 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 send an e-mail to OutreachTraining@isac.org.
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2010-11 State Scholar Announcements Posted at College Zone
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on December 1, 2009.
ISAC is pleased to announce that qualified Illinois high school students have been designated as 2010-11 State Scholars.
Listing of State Scholars Available Online
A listing of all 2010-11 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. The online listing can also be easily accessed via the "News & Announcements" section of the College Zone home page.
By replacing the paper rosters that were mailed to high schools in previous years, the online listing (which was first introduced with 2009-10 State Scholars) supports our continuing efforts to conserve both financial and natural resources.
Certificates of Achievement Mailed to Schools
The Certificates of Achievement have been mailed to high schools for their State Scholars. 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 future high school honors ceremony, counselors are reminded to keep the certificates in a safe location where they can be easily accessed when needed.
To further assist schools in announcing State Scholars, a press release will soon be available via the State Scholar Finalists page, which is located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com. Once the updated press release is available, it will be announced via the Counselor Message Board and the State Scholar Program News section.
This year, Non-Finalist Rosters were not included with the Certificates of Achievement mailing. Schools will need to determine non-finalists based on the sixth-semester roster data they submitted to ISAC.
Student Notifications
Individual congratulatory letters have been mailed directly to the State Scholars by ISAC.
Appeals Due On or Before January 29th
Counselors should carefully review the sixth-semester roster data they submitted to ISAC, in order to ensure there are no errors in the announcement of 2010-11 State Scholars. To assist in the review, State Scholar Selection Procedures are provided within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
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 29, 2010. Details regarding the appeals process are provided at the Appeals page, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
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Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
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, IllinoisMentor Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on October 9, 2009. 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.
October 15th: Student Rally for Save Illinois MAP Grants Campaign
In September, ISAC and numerous other higher education entities kicked off the Save Illinois MAP Grants campaign, which is aimed at rallying public support to urge state lawmakers to restore full-year awards made under the Monetary Award Program (MAP) for the 2009-10 academic year. MAP is ISAC's need-based aid program, which aids in paying tuition and mandatory fee expenses and helps pave the way to college for many Illinois students who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend.
Encourage your college-bound students and their families to make their voices heard at a student rally which is planned for 12:30 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, October 15th in the parking lot of the Illinois Education Association
(100 E. Edwards) in Springfield, Illinois.
Be sure to visit the campaign Web site at http://www.saveillinoismapgrants.org/ to learn about scheduled events in which concerned citizens can participate (including an ISAC public hearing on
October 12th at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale), as well as to access resources available for use in calling, writing or visiting your legislators to encourage their pursuit and support of restoring funding for MAP.
October 30th: ISAC-Generated Sixth Semester Rosters Due
Completed ISAC-generated High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP) Sixth Semester Academic Information Rosters (used for 2010-11 academic year processing) are due back to ISAC on or before Friday, October 30, 2009. Details are available at the Sixth Semester Roster Packet page, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com, as well as in an October 6th
e-Message.
November 1st: College Illinois!® Enrollment Opens
College Illinois! enrollment opens on Sunday,
November 1, 2009. Beginning in November, contracts for Illinois' 529 prepaid tuition program (which allows families to lock in future college tuition and fee costs today) will be available for purchase year-round, rather than during a limited enrollment period. Access the College Illinois! Web site for more information.
Updated informational brochures can be ordered through the Order Materials area of collegezone.com, beginning the first week of November.
Continuing through February: 2009-10 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.
Upcoming Days When ISAC Offices Will Be Closed
ISAC offices will be closed on the following dates:
- Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (Veterans Day Observation)
- Wednesday, November 25, 2009 (Furlough Day Closure)
- Thursday, November 26, 2009 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Friday, November 27, 2009 (Day after Thanksgiving)
- Thursday, December 24, 2009 (Furlough Day Closure)
- Friday, December 25, 2009 (Christmas Day)
- Friday, January 1, 2010 (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 days when the ISAC offices are closed, ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
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HSSP Sixth Semester Roster Data Due October 30, 2009
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators and High School Counselors/Teachers on October 6, 2009. 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 and/or Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship programs for the 2010-11 academic year] were sent on October 5th to Illinois high schools which did not submit school-generated roster data. When referred to collectively, these programs are known as the High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP).
Rosters Due On or Before October 30th
Completed rosters, which aid in the identification of State Scholar recipients, are due back to ISAC on or before Friday, October 30, 2009. 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.
School-Generated Data Still Being Accepted
If high schools prefer, they can still submit accurate sixth semester school-generated data (special care should be taken to ensure that only sixth semester data - defined as the third semester prior to graduation - is submitted). As was indicated in a September 21st e-Message, although school-generated paper rosters will be accepted, the preferred method for submitting data is through the HSSP Electronic Delivery process as part of the Illinois Electronic Transcript Exchange (ILTE).*
School-generated paper rosters will continue to be accepted through the end of October, and electronic submissions will be accepted through early November.
Complete information regarding data submission, including required data and requested disqualification codes, is provided in the Required Sixth Semester Data section that is located within the Counselor Zone's ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com.
Reminders
As part of our continuing efforts to simplify the HSSP process, the following elements remain in effect for the HSSP cycle:
- Weighted grade point averages (GPAs) cannot be accepted.
- If a school ranks, rankings should be provided for the top 50% of the class.
- If a school does not rank, unweighted GPAs should be provided for the top 50% of the class.
- All schools (both ranking and non-ranking) must provide unweighted GPAs for all students who have an Illinois Standard Test Score (ISTS) of 31 or greater, even if they are not in the top 50% of the class.
Announcement of Finalists To Take Place in November
We anticipate making final announcement data available to high schools in late November. In order to help us achieve this goal, please make every effort to return your school's sixth semester data as soon as possible.
* Schools that are already actively participating in the ILTE process should submit HSSP sixth semester data electronically.
Schools not yet participating in the ILTE process should submit a school-generated paper roster, or complete and return the ISAC-generated roster. These schools are encouraged to contact School Services to discuss ILTE participation for the 2011-12 HSSP processing cycle, to ensure that they will be prepared for when ILTE eventually becomes the only method by which HSSP sixth semester data is submitted to ISAC.
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High School Counselors/Teachers
High School Counselor Survey Deadline Extended
Sent on December 15, 2009.
Although we have heard from several of you (thank you!), we would like to extend the survey deadline to allow for more responses.
More than five years ago the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) surveyed high school counselors to help determine what factors affect college enrollment and to assess how well prepared students are for their college experience. We are asking high school counselors who advise the graduating seniors in their school to help us by providing their opinions as well as, this time, evaluating the usefulness of a number of resources ISAC currently offers you and the students you serve. The information we receive will be used to help ISAC better target information and services to help students know how to go to college.
Once at the site, simply click on your selected responses as you go through the survey, type in your comments where appropriate, and click the done button. The survey should take only a few minutes of your time. Please feel free to forward this message and link on to other applicable staff within your school who may want to provide feedback. Multiple surveys will be accepted per school. Please submit your survey(s) by close of business on Wednesday, December 23rd.
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Shana Rogers at 217.782.8741, or via e-mail at srogers@isac.org. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your opinions and ideas. Your input is extremely valuable to us.
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ISAC Offices Closed November 25th - 27th
Sent on November 24, 2009. As a reminder, all ISAC locations will be closed for three business days, beginning Wednesday, November 25th.
ISAC staff will be unavailable Wednesday due to a furlough closing, and Thursday and Friday, November 26th & 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Although we're unavailable, collegezone.com can be accessed at any time. E-mail messages sent to ISAC's School Services Department will be answered upon our return to the office.
Regular business hours will resume on Monday,
November 30th.
Best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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ISAC Asks High School Counselors for Feedback
Sent on November 20, 2009
More than five years ago the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) surveyed high school counselors to help determine what factors affect college enrollment and to assess how well prepared students are for their college experience. We are asking high school counselors who advise the graduating seniors in their school to help us by providing their opinions as well as, this time, evaluating the usefulness of a number of resources ISAC currently offers you and the students you serve. The information we receive will be used to help ISAC better target information and services to help students know how to go to college.
Once at the site, simply click on your selected responses as you go through the survey, type in your comments where appropriate, and click the done button. The survey should take only a few minutes of your time. Please feel free to forward this message and link on to other applicable staff within your school who may want to provide feedback. Multiple surveys will be accepted per school. Please submit your survey(s) by close of business on Friday, December 4th.
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Shana Rogers at 217.782.8741, or via e-mail at srogers@isac.org. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your opinions and ideas. Your input is extremely valuable to us.
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ISAC Communiqué
New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone
Sent on October 1, 2009
The latest 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:
- Earn Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) and Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor Continuing Education (CE) Credit at ISAC's Professional Development Opportunities for Counselors
(sent September 29, 2009)
- Submit School-Generated HSSP Data
(sent September 21, 2009)
- Message from ISAC's Executive Director
(sent September 15, 2009)
- ISAC Launches Illinois Student Assistance Corps
(sent September 14, 2009)
- 2009-10 Professional Development Opportunities Brought to You by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
(sent September 10, 2009)
- Save Illinois MAP Grants
(sent September 8, 2009)
- Constitution Day Resources Available at College Zone
(sent September 4, 2009)
- ISAC Launches WhatsNextIllinois.org: A Comprehensive Resource for Statewide College and Career Planning
(sent August 31, 2009)
- Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
(sent August 7, 2009)
- New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone (April - June 2009)
(sent July 1, 2009)
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.
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.
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