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VOL. 25, NO. 6IGSL, 6B
December 2007
Welcome to the December 2007 ISAC Update for financial aid administrators and business officers. This version of the electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent through College Zone’s e-Messaging service throughout December. This e-Messaging service has replaced ISAC’s use of printed newsletters, the ILASFAA ListServ, and special e-mail lists as our primary means of communicating information to you.
The articles in this Update have been organized according to the FAA Zone subscription groups to which the messages were distributed via College Zone’s e-Messaging service.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this ISAC Update 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
New Awards Announced for 2007-08 Teacher Education Scholarship Programs
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on December 28, 2007 A fourth round of 2007-08 Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP)* awarding took place on December 27, 2007. This round of awarding included all applicants who were not included in the previous three awarding runs. You will be notified if future rounds of TESP awarding take place.
Award notifications have been mailed to eligible students and new eligible award information, including funded or unfunded status, is available to colleges online at My Zone. Award announcement categories for eligible students include:
- Eligible - Funded - students who are eligible for an award;
- Eligible - Unavailable Funds - students who are eligible for the award, but for whom funds are not available; and
- Eligible - Unavailable Funds (IFTC Teachers Only): students who are eligible for an award based on enrollment in a teacher education program, but for whom funds are not available.
* TESP includes the Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) and Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship programs.
Accessing Award Information at My Zone
Now that TESP awards have been made on multiple dates (08/16/2007, 08/24/2007, 09/20/2007 and 12/27/2007), the filter functionality and pre-defined report that sort by "Status Date" (available within the Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP) area at My Zone) may be used to help identify students that have recently been found eligible for an award.
The following resources may be accessed from within the Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP) Notifications area at My Zone. The "Status Date" listed on TESP reports generated via My Zone matches the date on the student's award letter.
How to Access a Report
Search All Views
TESP Notifications: Filter Screen
TESP Notifications: Sort Function
Access to My Zone
If your college has not yet signed up to participate in My Zone, which provides online access to student-specific data in a secure environment, access the FAA Zone front page, select the My Zone Quick Link and follow the instructions provided. Or if there's been a change in staff needing to access TESP, the My Zone Administrator for your campus should update access to TESP so staff will be able to view eligible student award notification data online.
Happy Holidays from ISAC
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAPnet Users, Business Officers and FFELP Participants on December 17, 2007 Our entire organization would like to wish all of our college 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.
May 2008 be a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous year
for all.
Holiday Schedules
Due to the holidays, ISAC staff will be unavailable on the following dates:
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Monday, December 24, 2007
- All day on Tuesday, December 25, 2007
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Monday, December 31, 2007
- All day on Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Note that ELM Resources will continue to process and transmit files on all of the dates listed above.
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 (such as those indicated above), ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
Processing Schedules
Click on the appropriate link(s) to access holiday processing schedules for loan records [CommonLine and Common Account Maintenance (CAM) files] and/or Monetary Award Program (MAP) and Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program records.
College Zone and Related Internet Applications Temporarily Unavailable on December 18th
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAPnet Users, Business Officers and FFELP Participants on December 14, 2007 Due to unforeseen circumstances, the College Zone maintenance that had originally been scheduled to take place on November 30th has been rescheduled for December 18th.
On December 18th, the following Internet applications will be unavailable beginning at 7 p.m. (CT) and continuing until approximately 1 a.m. (CT) on Wednesday, December 19th:
These Internet applications will remain available, and will be accessible via the URLs indicated:
- MAPnet (mapnet.org)
- IllinoisMentor (illinoismentor.org) - note that, although the IllinoisMentor site will be available, links within the site that launch College Zone pages will result in error messages until all scheduled maintenance has been completed on the College Zone Web site
- College Illinois! (collegeillinois.com)
- Illinois Designated Account Purchase Program (IDAPP) (idapp.com)
We apologize for any inconvenience this rescheduling may cause you. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we perform required maintenance on the College Zone Web site.
Financial Aid 101 Workshop Rescheduled
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs, MAPnet Users, Business Officers and FFELP Participants on December 13, 2007 The Illinois Student Assistance Commission's Financial Aid 101 Workshop that was scheduled for December 11, 2007 in ISAC's Deerfield office was cancelled due to weather. It has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 17, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in ISAC's Deerfield office, Room 3030.
This free workshop is designed to introduce new financial aid professionals to financial aid concepts, programs and processes. The workshop will provide an overview of the following topics:
- basic financial aid principles,
- the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
- need analysis and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC),
- federal financial aid programs,
- student loan basics, and
- ISAC's scholarship and grant programs.
For more details, visit the Partner Training section of the e-Library at collegezone.com.
If you are interested in attending the Financial Aid 101 Workshop on January 17, 2008, please send an e-mail to Kim Eck, Training Coordinator, at keck@isac.org. Those who were registered for the December 11, 2007 workshop have automatically been registered for the January 17, 2008 session.
Details regarding directions, parking and lunch will be provided to registered participants via e-mail a few days prior to the workshop.
2008-09 Teacher Program Applications Available - Due on or before March 1, 2008
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on December 11, 2007 2008-09 TESP Interactive Application Launched
The interactive application for 2008-09 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 had obtained a digital ID for a previous year's TESP application process will use that same digital ID this year. Additional information regarding the IFTC Program and the MTI Scholarship Program and the application process, including 2008-09 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 will 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.
2008-09 Illinois SETTW Program Application Available
The 2008-09 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.
2008-09 Nurse Educator Scholarship Program Application Available
The 2008-09 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.
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FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR
"FAFSA Expert Training" & "Understanding Financial Aid Packaging" - Register Now
Sent on December 13, 2007 Please join us as we start the new year continuing our series of professional development opportunities with the "FAFSA Expert Training" & "Understanding Financial Aid Packaging" sessions, designed especially for high school counselors, college admission counselors and community organization professionals. All events are free and require online registration through collegezone.com.
Beginning with our most popular session, the "FAFSA Expert Training" builds on the information and case studies presented in "The FAFSA Made Easy" and goes far beyond the line-by-line review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complex tax, asset, eligibility and need analysis questions are discussed. You 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).
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 at 11 locations throughout the state. Counselor Professional Development Units can be earned at each session.
Space is limited, so choose from the following dates and locations below and register online:
Dates & Locations
January 18, 2008
Chicago State University, 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL
University Library, Sun Room
Campus Map
January 24, 2008
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus, 2250 North Sheffield Avenue, Chicago, IL
Student Center, 3rd Floor, Room 314 A & B
Campus Map
January 25, 2008
Lincoln Land Community College, Capital City Center, 130 West Mason, Springfield, IL
Lower Level Conference Center
Campus Map
January 25, 2008
ISAC Deerfield Office, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL
Room 3030
Driving Directions
January 29, 2008
Rock Valley College, North Mulford Road, Rockford, IL
Woodward Technology Center, Rooms 141 & 142
Campus Map
January 30, 2008
Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Boulevard, Mattoon, IL
Webb Hall, Room 081
Campus Map
February 1, 2008
Joliet Junior College, Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL
Room To Be Determined (Check before date)
Campus Map
February 4, 2008
College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL
Room SRC 2800
Campus Map
February 5, 2008
John A. Logan College, 700 Logan College Road; Carterville, IL
Main Facility First Floor, Room F119
Campus Map
February 8, 2008
Harry S. Truman College, 1145 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL
Faculty Dining Room, First Floor
Campus Map
February 11, 2008
Eureka College, 300 East College Avenue Eureka, IL
Cerf Center, Terrill Room
Campus Map
Continental breakfast will be provided and registration begins at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming sessions.
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FFELP PARTICIPANTS
Latest School DAAR Report Available
Sent on December 3, 2007 and December 18, 2007
The Notification of Student Loan Borrower DAAR Status report (School DAAR Report) for your school is now available on College Zone's My Zone. This online version has replaced the paper rosters ISAC sent in the past.
The School DAAR Report is non-cumulative and is available twice a month to those institutions with students for whom ISAC, as the guarantor, has received a Default Aversion Assistance Request (DAAR) during the reporting time period. Each time a new School DAAR Report is made available online, an e-Message will be sent to the "FFELP Participants" e-Messaging subscription group.
Accessing School DAAR Reports at My Zone
My Zone is a portal available in the FAA Zone at collegezone.com that allows postsecondary schools online access to student-specific data in a secure environment. If you have not yet signed up to participate in My Zone, proceed to the FAA Zone front page and select the My Zone Quick Link.
For complete information and instructions to access your school's DAAR Report, proceed to the FAA Zone front page and select the My Zone Quick Link in the right margin of the page.
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ISAC UPDATE GROUP
Electronic ISAC Update for November 2007 Available at College Zone
Sent on December 3, 2007 The November 2007 edition of the ISAC Update is now available for your review within the ISAC Publications section of College Zone's e-Library. This version of the monthly electronic ISAC Update is a compilation of e-Messages sent to financial aid administrators and business officers in November via College Zone's e-Messaging service.
Topics covered in the November 2007 ISAC Update include:
- CAP Committee Seeking Your Help to Make a Difference
(sent November 29, 2007)
- College Zone and Related Internet Applications Temporarily Unavailable on November 30
(sent November 28, 2007)
- Financial Aid 101: Building a Solid Foundation - December 2007 Workshops
(sent November 20, 2007)
- Default Fee Change Approved and Other Action Taken at
November 16, 2007 Commission Meeting
(sent November 19, 2007)
- "The Financial Aid Process" PowerPoint Presentation Available
(sent November 14, 2007)
- Commission Meeting to be Held Friday,
November 16, 2007
(sent November 9, 2007)
- ISAC Announces Workforce Reduction
(sent November 6, 2007)
- New State Legislative Update Posted
(November 6, 2007)
(sent November 6, 2007)
- Latest School DAAR Report Available
(sent November 5, 2007 and November 19, 2007)
- New Sections Available at College Zone: "Medical Professions" and "Loan Repayment/Forgiveness Programs"
(sent November 2, 2007)
- Additional "The FAFSA Made Easy" Site Added
(sent November 1, 2007)
- Electronic ISAC Update for October 2007 Available at College Zone
(sent November 1, 2007)
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