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VOL. 23, NO. 2IGSL, 2B
August 2005
Welcome to the August 2005 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 August. 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
Suspension of 2005-06 MAP Award Announcements
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users, and Business Officers on August 25, 2005 Suspension of MAP Award Announcements Effective September 1, 2005
Due to current trends in the number of eligible applicants and anticipated payment claim rates, the appropriations for the 2005-06 Monetary Award Program (MAP) are fully committed. As a result, ISAC will suspend the announcement of MAP grants for all students whose initial 2005-06 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received by the Central Processing System (CPS) on or after September 1, 2005. This affects new and continuing students regardless of enrollment status. The MAP Suspension of Award Announcements page has been updated at collegezone.com.
ISAC will evaluate the status of suspended awards after the first-term claim deadline date has passed in January and, if application volume and claim rates support such action, may release some suspended awards. As a reminder, any suspended awards that might be released in the future would remain subject to the 2005-06 MAP priority consideration dates. A 2005-06 MAP Applicant Award Status Chart (Based on Priority Consideration Dates) is available for your reference at College Zone.
Student Award Announcements
Schools will need to suspend announcements of MAP awards to students whose initial FAFSA receipt date is on or after September 1, 2005.
ISAC will be notifying all affected applicants whose initial FAFSA reflects an expected family contribution (EFC) of 8999 or below that their awards have been placed in suspension status. A sample copy of this notification is available at the 2005-06 Acknowledgement Letters page, located within the MAP section of College Zone's ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
Identifying Records in Suspension Status
MAP records in suspension status will be indicated by an Eligibility Code of "S" ("Suspended -- indicates student is temporarily suspended from processing due to insufficient funding. Not eligible for payment for any terms") on MAPnet and in the Eligibility Status File (ESF).
Reminder of IIA Program Records in Suspension Status
The announcement of awards for the 2005-06 Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program has been suspended for all students whose initial 2005-06 FAFSA is received by the CPS on or after August 2, 2005.
Questions?
As new information becomes available throughout the year, ISAC routinely updates the MAP and IIA "Program News" pages within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status of these programs.
New Service at College Zone - My Zone: TESP Eligible Award Notifications Now Available Online
Sent to Financial Aid Directors and Financial Aid Administrators on August 19, 2005 ISAC is pleased to announce an exciting new service at My Zone. As a reminder, My Zone is a portal available at collegezone.com that allows postsecondary schools online access to data inquiries, eligibility announcements, and eventually, payment requests for ISAC-administered programs in a secure environment.
2005-06 Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP) Eligible Award Notifications Available Online
Eligible applicant information is now accessible at your desktop for TESP [Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) Program and Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program]. With this information readily available on My Zone in the FAA Zone, the forwarding of copies of individual award notifications to the Financial Aid Office, as was done in the past, has been discontinued. The student data currently presented on My Zone is from the first round of awarding which took place on August 8th. Award notifications were mailed to eligible students during that week.
There are three award announcement categories for eligible students:
- 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.
You will now be able to Access Reports, View, Filter and Sort data to customize how this information is presented and used at your school. To review this new service, proceed to the FAA Zone front page and select the My Zone Quick Link.
Assigning a My Zone Administrator
ISAC relies on a primary contact person, or Administrator, to authorize users at each school. This designated school person will be given access to My Zone after completing an authentication process with ISAC. The Administrator is responsible for monitoring passwords, staff access, and security for the variety of ISAC-administered programs. Follow the instructions within the My Zone area to initially establish an Administrator.
For those schools who already participate with My Zone for Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Announcement Roster information or to retrieve the School Default Aversion Assistance Request (DAAR) Report, there is no need for multiple "sign-on" codes for access to the new TESP information. Your established My Zone Administrator simply needs to update staff access to enable viewing of the data.
Training Opportunity
ISAC staff will be available to answer questions via conference call at the following times concerning My Zone and the addition of the TESP data. These conference calls will be geared toward financial aid staff who work directly with the TESP programs.
Tuesday, August 30th
12 - 1 p.m.
Telephone Number: 1.888.767.9380
Passcode: 9767339#
Wednesday, August 31st
9 - 10 a.m.
Telephone Number: 1.888.767.9380
Passcode: 9767339#
There is no formal registration process for these calls, but it will be necessary to have gained access to My Zone from your Administrator and be seated at a PC prior to the beginning of the call.
2005-06 MAP and IIA Payment Processing Available
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users, and Business Officers on August 15, 2005 Payment Requests Accepted
ISAC is pleased to announce that the 2005-06 payment processing cycle has begun, including MAPnet and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) requests for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program. Normal daily processing of payment requests has begun with payment results available to schools as usual. Please remember that MAP and IIA payment requests for any given term are not to be submitted to ISAC earlier than 10 days before the beginning date of that term.
Timing of Payments to Schools
ISAC will begin submitting payment vouchers to the State of Illinois Comptroller's Office for claims authorized in August after September 1st, so the timing of when funds will arrive on campus can be monitored after September 1st. The status of payments to schools can be tracked through the State of Illinois Comptroller's Web site at http://www.ioc.state.il.us/. Use the "Vendor Payments" area of the site at any time throughout the year to make inquiries about pending payments for MAP, IIA and ISAC's other gift assistance programs. We anticipate that it will take 6-8 weeks for funds to be issued from the State of Illinois Comptroller's Office once that office receives the voucher from ISAC.
Changes in MAPnet – Expanded Enrollment Hours Field
For the 2005-06 academic year, the maximum field length for Enrollment Hours has been expanded to accommodate a fraction of an hour. This change was instituted so that MAP Paid Credit Hour (MPCH) tracking could be more accurately applied for quarter schools.
An explanation of this change for 2005-06 payment processing is available in the Payment section of the MAPnet User Guide, as well as in the MAPnet Help Text.
In order to remain up-to-date on each program, please refer to Program News for MAP and IIA within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section of the FAA Zone.
Conducting a Financial Aid Presentation - In Spanish! (Dirigir una Presentación de Ayuda Financiera - En Español)
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 August 12, 2005 Spanish is the primary language spoken in more American homes than any other foreign language. Most students look to their parents for guidance in the college selection process. Unfortunately, many parents with limited English proficiency do not have sufficient access to information about the financial aid process and programs. As a result, their children, who may qualify for financial aid, often apply late or don't apply at all.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has recognized this can be a major obstacle in college planning for Spanish-speaking families and, based on feedback from the admission, guidance, and financial aid communities, created a training event in preparing a financial aid night presentation in Spanish. This unique workshop is conducted entirely in Spanish, and was first offered earlier this year. Due to the extensive interest and positive feedback that has been received, the training event is being offered again.
If you, or someone in your school or organization, speak Spanish and are interested in learning more about the financial aid process in order to serve Spanish-speaking families, please join us:
- September 13, 2005
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Moraine Valley Community College, 10900 South 88th Avenue, Palos Hills, IL
- Lunch will be provided.
- Register by September 8th because space is limited. To register, contact Eddie Brambila at 800.899.4722, extension 3708, or send the name of your organization, names of attendees and telephone numbers via e-mail to ebrambila@isac.org.
If you are unable to attend this event at Moraine Valley Community College but have a need for this type of training, your feedback on possible future locations is appreciated.
The agenda includes the following:
Translated Tools and Resources
There are many services available in Spanish through College Zone.
- Spanish-speaking College Zone Counselors can help students and parents with questions about planning, finding, applying and paying for college at 800.899.4722, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Anyone can access collegezone.com in Spanish by selecting "Español" from the drop down menu in the top right corner of the home page.
- The College Illinois! Web site is also available in Spanish.
- A number of brochures and presentations are offered in Spanish as follows:
2005-06 MAP/IIA Payment Processing Anticipated for Next Week - MAPnet To Be Temporarily Unavailable
Sent to Financial Aid Directors, Financial Aid Administrators, MAPnet Users, and Business Officers on August 11, 2005
ISAC anticipates 2005-06 payment processing to be available on Monday, August 15th for payment requests/claims received from schools for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program.
In order for the 2005-06 MAPnet system to be updated for MAP and IIA payment processing, the system will be unavailable beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 12th continuing into Monday, August 15th. A separate message will be sent when the 2005-06 MAPnet system may again be accessed on Monday. At that time, 2005-06 payment processing will be available.
Information about 2005-06 payment processing will be provided in the MAPnet User Guide, as well as in the MAPnet Help Text. In order to remain up-to-date on MAP and IIA, please refer to Program News for each program within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section of the FAA Zone at collegezone.com.
Please note that access to 2004-05 historical data in MAPnet will not be impacted.
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Public Schools - Participating in the ING Grant and IVG Programs
Changes to IVG and ING Grant Programs Signed into Law - Effective Fall 2005 Term
Sent on August 17, 2005
Governor Blagojevich has signed House Bill 815 into law. Public Act 94-583 rewrites the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program as recommended by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, as well as, changes benefits for veterans to cover tuition and mandatory fees, rather than the fees listed in statute. This action also amends the Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program by removing the prohibition on officers above the rank of captain in the National Guard from receiving the grant and by allowing the grant to be used for the equivalent of four full years.
The changes are effective for the fall 2005 term. (Processing for IVG for the summer 2005 term remained business as usual.) Please refer to the details concerning the new provisions of the bill impacting the IVG Program that are provided at the House Bill (HB) 815 page (located within the IVG Program section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com). Since the original posting of this information, we've included some clarifications in response to questions.
The IVG and ING Grant "Program News" pages, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section at collegezone.com, also are being updated accordingly.
Updated Application Available
A revised version of the IVG application has been posted to collegezone.com and applicable areas of the Student Zone have been updated to incorporate the program changes.
2005-06 ING Grant Announcement Rosters Now Available Online
Sent on August 4, 2005 The Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Announcement Roster is designed to notify schools of eligible ING Grant applicants to assist in the financial aid packaging process. The first rosters for the 2005-06 academic year are now available online at My Zone. As a reminder, this roster may be used in place of collecting copies of the Notice of Eligibility letter that ISAC sends to students.
The ING Grant Announcement Roster provides information for each applicant who has applied for the ING Grant with your institution listed as their school of record and for whom the Illinois Department of Military Affairs has confirmed eligibility as of the date printed at the top of the first page of the roster. The first set of 2005-06 rosters (and student letters) are dated August 3, 2005.
New for 2005-06
- Rosters could potentially be available on a daily basis. We recommend that you check My Zone at least once a week for new rosters that may have been posted for the 2005-06 academic year.
- The roster creation date displayed within My Zone will be the same as the date printed on the applicant's Notice of Eligibility letter.
- Rosters are only accessible to view, download, or print from My Zone (no longer faxed).
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MAPnet Users
2005-06 IIA Program Suspension Status Available in MAPnet
Sent on August 3, 2005
Suspension of 2005-06 IIA Program Award Announcements Effective August 2, 2005
As indicated in a July 22nd e-Message, ISAC has suspended the announcement of 2005-06 Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program grants for all students whose initial 2005-06 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was received by the Central Processing System (CPS) on or after August 2, 2005. This affects new and continuing students regardless of enrollment status.
Student Award Announcements
Schools need to suspend announcements of IIA awards to students whose initial FAFSA receipt date is on or after August 2, 2005.
Identifying Records in Suspension Status Student records with IIA awards in suspension status are notated in MAPnet and the Eligibility Status File (ESF) by a code of "S" in the "IIA Suspend" field, and IIA records not in suspension status show a code of "N" in this field. The "IIA Suspend" code displays in MAPnet on the "Student Detail," "Edit MAP Code," and "Student List Eligibility: View" screens, and is included as a selection option for viewing on the Filter screen. The field is also included on the IIA Eligibility Report within MAPnet.
Suspension of 2005-06 MAP Award Announcements Anticipated for Late August
If current trends continue, ISAC anticipates suspending the announcement of 2005-06 MAP grants in late August.
Questions?
As new information becomes available throughout the year, ISAC routinely updates the MAP and IIA "Program News" pages within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status of these programs.
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FFELP PARTICIPANTS
Latest School DAAR Report Available
Sent on August 18, 2005 and on August 3, 2005
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 July 2005 Available at College Zone
Sent on August 1, 2005
The July 2005 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 July via College Zone's e-Messaging service.
Topics covered in the July 2005 ISAC Update include:
- Important Dates and Reminders: ISAC Program Updates, Upcoming Chat Events, and Holiday Schedules
- Staffing Changes at ISAC
- Suspension of 2005-06 IIA Program Award Announcements
- MAPnet Updates: Issue Resolved for 2005-06 Anticipated Enrollment Calculator Screen, and 2004-05 Close-out Reminders
- Anticipated Statutory Changes to IVG and ING Grant Programs
- Supermarket of Veterans' Benefits - July 9th at Navy Pier in Chicago
- Financial Aid 101: Building a Solid Foundation - Part Two - July 2005 Workshops
- Latest School DAAR Report Available
- Electronic ISAC Update for June 2005 Available at College Zone
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