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10/9/2009
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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