ISAC Reports Record Electronic Transcript Exchange Use - News Alert

Over 2,000 electronic transcripts sent in 2008

CHICAGO—The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) announced record usage of its Illinois electronic Transcript Exchange service (ILTE), with 2,086 transcripts sent in 2008.

A new universal computer driver developed by XAP Corporation, ISAC’s technology partner in this venture, allows schools utilizing virtually any student information system (SIS) to create an electronic version of a student’s transcript to send to a college or university.  As a result of this technological advance, ILTE participation increased 561 percent among state high schools in 2008.

“A growing number of high schools throughout Illinois are discovering that ISAC’s electronic transcript exchange simplifies the transcript sending process and allows them to save time and money on paper, printing and postage without any financial investment on their part,” said Andrew Davis, Executive Director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, citing a study that estimates a 50 percent reduction in costs of electronic distribution versus the traditional paper “snail-mail” process. “High school setup is now easier than ever and can take as little as four business days to complete.”

For students, the electronic transcript exchange found on IllinoisMentor.org means a simplified application process.  When submitting an online application to a college participating in the transcript exchange program, transcripts may be now released to one or several colleges at the same time the online application is submitted. Last year, 38,495 online applications were submitted to 56 colleges and universities.

How does the transcript exchange work? Participating high schools electronically send official transcripts to the transcript exchange using the ILTE application in one of two ways; a counselor can upload transcripts directly from their student information system, and release them to participating colleges in response to student requests, or if the high school has enabled the feature, students can enter information into the transcript manager, which is matched to the appropriate transcript in the transcript exchange. If a match is found, the student is prompted to release the transcript. The college(s) then download the released transcript from the Transcript Exchange. The Transcript Manager allows for tracking of released transcripts, including institutions selected for release, transcript release dates, and institutional transcript download dates.

Increased outreach efforts by ISAC also reflected a 30 percent increase in colleges and universities accepting official transcripts in electronic format. With 102 high schools participating in the program, counselors sent more than 2,000 official electronic transcripts to 45 colleges and universities in Illinois this year.

“We anticipate continued growth in both online applications and electronic transcripts sent as the number of institutions using ILTE to send and receive transcripts grows,” Davis continued.  “We have a tremendous opportunity to not only simplify the process for prospective students but to act in an environmentally-responsible manner while reducing operating expenses for participating institutions.”

To view a list of participating high schools (with SIS used) and colleges, visit the Electronic Transcript Exchange Resource Library at www.IllinoisMentor.org/Transcript_Manager/Resource_Library.asp.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) provides students of all ages and backgrounds with the resources and support to obtain financial aid for higher education.

A state agency, ISAC has paved the path to post-secondary education with innovative programs for more than 50 years. Last year alone, ISAC continued its mission to make college affordable for Illinois students by issuing 185,000 grants and scholarships totaling more than $448 million.

The Commission coordinates educational funding with student loans, as a loan guarantor and via numerous public programs such as the successful Monetary Award Program (MAP), the Illinois Veteran Grant and College Illinois!sm the Commission’s groundbreaking 529 prepaid college tuition program. Students and families have free access to a wealth of financial aid and college planning information at ISAC’s family of websites available at: http://www.knowhow2goillinois.org/.

About ISAC
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is the State’s centralized provider of financial assistance aimed at helping students and families access postsecondary education and/or training. Each year, the Commission awards an estimated $400 million in scholarship and grant aid to nearly 185,000 qualified students, and also provides an additional $740 million to borrowers through its student loan programs. The agency offers credit-based alternative loans, a 529 prepaid tuition program known as College Illinois!, and a broad array of outreach and informational services to ensure that families have access to the information they need to pay for a college education. More information is available by calling toll-free 800.899.ISAC (4722) or visiting the agency’s Web site at www.collegezone.com.