Volume 14, Number 5
January - March 2005
Welcome to the January - March 2005 ISAC Communiqué – the electronic edition of your Communiqué, which is a quarterly compilation of e-Messages sent through College Zone’s e-Messaging service throughout January, February and March. While this e-Messaging service is currently being offered in addition to the printed ISAC Communiqué newsletters, it will soon replace both printed newsletters and special e-mail lists as ISAC’s primary means of communicating information to you.
The articles in this 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 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
Important Dates: Presidents' Day Holiday and Application Deadlines
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on February 8, 2005.
The following are important dates you'll want to remember in the upcoming weeks.
February 21st - ISAC Offices Closed for Presidents' Day Holiday
In observance of the Presidents' Day holiday, ISAC offices will be closed on Monday, February 21st, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 22nd.
Even though we're closed, College Zone is available - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also submit a question to us at any time by sending an e-mail message to ISAC's School Services staff. With the exception of holidays, ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
March 1st - 2005-06 SETTW, MTI Scholarship, and IFTC Program Applications Due
Remind your college-bound seniors who plan to teach in Illinois after completing their degree that March 1st is the priority consideration deadline to apply for the 2005-06 Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW), Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship, and Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) (for college juniors and above) programs. Applications for each of these programs (the downloadable paper application for the SETTW Program, and the online interactive application for the IFTC and MTI Scholarship programs) can be accessed via College Zone. You can request the Financing Teacher Education: Providing for the Future of Education in Illinois brochure, which discusses the teaching programs administered by ISAC, by submitting an order via College Zone.
March 31st - Deadline to Order Listing of 2005-06 State Scholar Finalists
Mailing labels (in ZIP Code order) of 2005-06 State Scholar finalists are available from ISAC, at cost, to Illinois high school counselors, Regional Superintendents, colleges, and universities. Through March 31st, Illinois colleges and universities may also order the listing of names of State Scholars for recruitment purposes. Details and order forms for the 2005-06 State Scholars mailing labels and listing of names are available at the Ordering Lists or Mailing Labels page, which is located in College Zone's ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
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2005-06 MAP Start-Up Formula Approved - Summary of January 24th Commission Meeting
Sent to Principals/Superintendent/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers,College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on January 24, 2005.
The following is a summary of action taken at this morning's meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Details regarding all topics discussed are provided in the January 24th Agenda Book, which can be accessed from the "2005 Agenda Books" page within the "ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission" section of College Zone's e-Library.
Executive Director's Report
The following announcements were made regarding 2004-05 programs administered by ISAC:
- Due to a combination of factors affecting the anticipated payment claim rates for first term, ISAC expects to be able to release Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants from suspended status for approximately 9,000 students.
- Effective January 15, 2005, $650,000 has been appropriated for the College Savings Bond Bonus Incentive Grant (BIG) Program, and ISAC is currently accepting applications for this program.
2005-06 MAP Start-Up Formula Approved - Agenda Item 7
The 2005-06 MAP start-up formula is based on the 2004-05 MAP funding level of $338 million and the 2004-05 MAP recompute formula, including the tiered reduction factor concept first introduced last year. The 2005-06 start-up formula reflects a conservative approach to avoid the need to further reduce MAP awards in the recompute formula after the state budget is finalized. The primary change from the current 2004-05 formula is an increase in the reduction factors for Expected Family Contribution (EFC) ranges. One benefit of applying a tiered reduction factor is that no awards are completely eliminated. As is currently the case, no awards will be provided for applicants who have an EFC equal to or greater than 9,000.
We anticipate start-up for 2005-06 MAP and the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program to be implemented in mid-February, including the launch of the 2005-06 MAPnet system. ISAC will notify you via the College Zone Web site and this e-Messaging service once an exact date for start-up implementation has been determined.
FY2006 Appropriated Funds Budget Request Approved - Agenda Item 6
The ISAC State Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget request totaling $668.6 million, which will impact programs for the 2005-06 academic year, was approved by the Commission and will now be submitted to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). This budget request is based on one priority: continuing support for need-based aid to promote affordability and access.
Action Taken on Various Administrative Rules
These items were brought before the Commission and had the results indicated.
- Agenda Item 11 - The Commission approved and adopted the rules for the Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure with an anticipated effective date of approximately February 1, 2005.
- Agenda Item 12 - The Commission approved and adopted the amendment for the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program with an anticipated effective date of approximately February 1, 2005.
- Agenda Item 13 - The Commission was informed that amendments are being proposed to 10 different Parts of the ISAC Rules with a 45-day public comment period initiated when they are published in the Illinois Register. Full text of the proposed amendments and notices will be made available at collegezone.com following the publication date. The anticipated effective date of these proposed amendments is July 2005.
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Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Important Dates
Sent to Principals/Superintendent/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers,College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on January 11, 2005.
January 17th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
In observance of the national holiday for the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., ISAC offices will be closed on Monday, January 17th, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 18th.
College Zone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - even when the ISAC offices are closed. Also, questions or inquiries may be submitted at any time by sending an e-mail message to ISAC's School Services staff. With the exception of holidays, ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
We extend our best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.
January 24th - Commission Meeting
On Monday, January 24th, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will meet at 9:00 a.m. at ISAC's Deerfield Office. The tentative agenda includes the FY2006 Appropriated Funds Budget Request, FY2006 MAP Start-Up, and some other items related to administrative rules, College Illinois!, and IDAPP.
The Commission Meeting Agenda Book, providing a full description of all agenda items, including FY2006 MAP Start-Up, will be available at College Zone five to seven days prior to the meeting. To access this information, visit the e-Library in College Zone and select the ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission page.
FAAM - Helping Your College-Bound Seniors Prepare for the 2005-06 Academic Year
February is Financial Aid/Admission Awareness Month (FAAM) - time for you to encourage your college-bound seniors to file their 2005-06 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible!
This continues to be a record-breaking year for the FAAM Committee, with currently over 80 FAFSA Completion sites confirmed for February 2005. The current list of sites is available at the newly redesigned FAAM Web site. If your institution is not hosting a FAFSA Completion Workshop you can refer students and parents to a nearby location for assistance. The FAAM Web site will continue to be updated as new information becomes available, so be sure to check back on a regular basis.
January 30, 2005 and February 27, 2005 have been designated as College Goal Sundays in Illinois! On these dates Illinois and FAAM will join other states across the country by participating in events designed to assist low-income families and those who have no college-going tradition complete the FAFSA.
FAAM, a joint effort between the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA), the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) and Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) lenders, is an outreach campaign focusing on the importance of a college education and the admission process as well as the availability of financial assistance.
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High School Counselors/Teachers
Mapping Your Future Web Site Temporarily Unavailable on Wednesday, March 16th
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers on March 10, 2005
The following is based on a recent electronic announcement from Mapping Your Future, and is being shared for your information.
The Mapping Your Future Web site (mapping-your-future.org) continues to grow and, as a result, the site has outgrown its current co-location hosting facility. Consequently, the Mapping Your Future network will be moving physical locations to a new site. The actual physical relocation of equipment will take place between March 15th and March 16th. As part of this process, the Mapping Your Future Web site will be unavailable for periods of time between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, March 16, 2005. Mapping Your Future staff will work to minimize the outage as much as possible, and visitors will receive a "site outage" message if they attempt to access the site while it is unavailable.
It is the goal of the Mapping Your Future staff to make this transition as smooth as possible for all users of the Web site. Your patience is appreciated during this equipment relocation.
Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative public service project of the financial aid industry, including ISAC - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide free college, career, financial aid, and financial literacy services for schools, students, and families.
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Online and Distance Education Chat Event - March 8, 2005
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers on March 1, 2005
High School Counselors: Please share the following information with any families who might benefit from it.
On Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Mapping Your Future will offer an "Online and Distance Education" chat from 2 to 3 p.m. (CT). The chat is designed to help students and their families learn about the types of online and distance education that are available. Also discussed will be the effect that online and distance education may have on financial aid eligibility.
At the time of the event, you can access Mapping Your Future by selecting "Mapping Your Future" from the "Counselor Quick Links" menu that appears along the right margin of the Counselor Zone front page.
Students can use the link on the right side of the Student Zone front page.
Mapping Your Future can also be accessed directly at mapping-your-future.org.
The calendar of upcoming Chat Events is in the Outreach Activities section of College Zone, which can be accessed in the center of the College Zone home page. Remember, also, that a poster (in .pdf format) listing 2004-05 Chat Events is available at the Mapping Your Future Web site. You may wish to consider printing (on 8½" x 11" paper, in color or black & white) and displaying this poster, which can be accessed via Mapping Your Future's "Middle and High School Counselor" and "Live Chat Events" pages, in areas of your school that can be easily viewed by students seeking information about the college process.
Archived Questions and Answers from earlier chats can be accessed by visiting the section entitled "Chat Transcripts" at mapping-your-future.org/services/chatnight.htm.
The above is based on information from a Mapping Your Future E-Update. Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative public service project of the financial aid industry, including ISAC - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide free college, career, financial aid, and financial literacy services for schools, students, and families.
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FAFSA, Financial Aid, and Careers Chat Event - February 8, 2005
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers on February 1, 2005
High School Counselors: Please share the following information with any families who might benefit from it.
On Tuesday, February 8, 2005, Mapping Your Future will offer a "FAFSA, Financial Aid, and Careers" chat from 2 to 3 p.m. (CT). The chat is designed to help students and their families get answers to financial aid and career questions and receive assistance with completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
During this "FAFSA, Financial Aid, and Careers" Chat Event, participants will learn about:
- completing the FAFSA;
- determining eligibility for federal student aid;
- calculating financial need and the expected family contribution;
- paying for school; and
- choosing a career.
You can access Mapping Your Future by selecting "Mapping Your Future" from the "Counselor Quick Links" menu that appears along the right margin of the Counselor Zone front page.
Students can use the link on the right side of the Student Zone front page.
Mapping Your Future can also be accessed directly at mapping-your-future.org.
The calendar of upcoming Chat Events is in the Outreach Activities section of College Zone, which can be accessed in the center of the College Zone home page. Remember, also, that a poster (in .pdf format) listing 2004-05 Chat Events is available at the Mapping Your Future Web site. You may wish to consider printing (on 8½" x 11" paper, in color or black & white) and displaying this poster, which can be accessed via Mapping Your Future's "Middle and High School Counselor" and "Live Chat Events" pages, in areas of your school that can be easily viewed by students seeking information about the college process.
Archived Questions and Answers from earlier chats can be accessed by visiting the section entitled "Chat Transcripts" at mapping-your-future.org/services/chatnight.htm.
The above is based on information from a Mapping Your Future E-Update. Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative public service project of the financial aid industry, including ISAC - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide free college, career, financial aid, and financial literacy services for schools, students, and families.
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FAFSA, Financial Aid, and Careers Chat Event - January 11, 2005
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers on January 4, 2005
High School Counselors: Please share the following information with any families who might benefit from it.
On Tuesday, January 11, 2005, Mapping Your Future will offer a "FAFSA, Financial Aid, and Careers" chat from 6 to 7 p.m. (CT). The chat is designed to help students and their families get answers to financial aid and career questions and receive assistance with completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
During this "FAFSA, Financial Aid, and Careers" Chat Event, participants will learn about:
- completing the FAFSA;
- determining eligibility for federal student aid;
- calculating financial need and the expected family contribution;
- paying for school; and
- choosing a career.
You can access Mapping Your Future by selecting "Mapping Your Future" from the "Counselor Quick Links" menu that appears along the right margin of the Counselor Zone front page.
Students can use the link on the right side of the Student Zone front page.
Mapping Your Future can also be accessed directly at mapping-your-future.org.
The calendar of upcoming Chat Events is in the Outreach Activities section of College Zone, which can be accessed in the center of the College Zone home page. Remember, also, that a poster (in .pdf format) listing 2004-05 Chat Events is available at the Mapping Your Future Web site. You may wish to consider printing (on 8½" x 11" paper, in color or black & white) and displaying this poster, which can be accessed via Mapping Your Future's "Middle and High School Counselor" and "Live Chat Events" pages, in areas of your school that can be easily viewed by students seeking information about the college process.
Archived Questions and Answers from earlier chats can be accessed by visiting the section entitled "Chat Transcripts" at mapping-your-future.org/services/chatnight.htm.
The above is based on information from a Mapping Your Future E-Update. Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative public service project of the financial aid industry, including ISAC - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide free college, career, financial aid, and financial literacy services for schools, students, and families.
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ISAC Communiqué
New ISAC Communique Available at College Zone
Sent on January 3, 2005
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 October, November and December 2004.
Topics covered in this electronic Communiqué include:
- ISAC Launches Interactive Application for 2005-06 Teacher Education Scholarship Programs
- Conducting a Financial Aid Presentation - In Spanish!
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Holiday Schedule
- Too Much Information? Too Many Students? Not Enough Time? We Can Help!
- 2004 Fall Seminars for Partners - "Meeting Information Challenges" - Online Registration Now Available
- 2005-06 FAFSA Completion Information Available at College Zone - Includes "Build Your Own Reference Manual" Enhancement
- Loan Consolidation Chat Event - December 14, 2004
- Mark Your November Calendar - Chat Event and Veterans Day Holiday
- Finding the School of Your Dreams and Gaining Admission: Mapping Your Future Chat Event - October 12, 2004
- ISAC Communiqué
Future electronic newsletters will be available at the beginning of each quarter (January, April, July, and October), and will be the compilation of information announced via an e-Message to any of the Counselor Zone subscription groups during the previous quarter.
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