FAQs

Q1. How is tuition defined for purposes of the MAP Budget Packet?

A1. Tuition is the charge for 16 credit hours of instruction assessed by an institution to full-time undergraduate students.

Q2. What is the definition of mandatory fees?

A2. Mandatory fees for the MAP grant are defined as charges assessed by an institution to each and every full-time undergraduate student for each term. Application, graduation, laboratory, breakage, add/drop fees, and program administrative fees for out-of-state or foreign study are specifically excluded as mandatory fees for purposes of the MAP grant (ISAC Rules, Sections 2700.20 and 2735.30).

Q3. What if my school will not finalize tuition and fee charges by June 1st?

A3. Per ISAC Rules, Section 2700.30 (e), any tuition and/or mandatory fee increases reported after June 1st would not be utilized in the calculation of gift assistance benefits. The rules do not specify, but it is normally assumed, that such increases in tuition and/or fees would have been approved by the institution’s governing board prior to the submission of this data to ISAC as part of the annual Budget Packet.

If this is not the case, the Budget Packet should be completed with anticipated tuition and/or fee amounts. A written explanation stating that the institution’s governing board has not finalized budget figures must be attached and signed by the Financial Aid Director. If the tuition and fee increases are not adopted at the amounts reported in the Budget Packet, the Financial Aid Director must immediately contact ISAC (School Services Department) with accurate figures and further guidance.

Q4. How is the information in the MAP Budget Packet used at ISAC?

A4. Tuition and mandatory fee information is gathered by ISAC through the annual Budget Packet process by June 1st for the upcoming academic year (i.e., June 1, 2006 for the 2006-07 academic year). Historically, during the MAP recompute process which is typically in the summer of each year, any changes to the formula, as well as adjustments to the institution’s tuition and mandatory fee figures, may be incorporated depending on the final appropriation for the program. Gathering this data on or before June 1st [ISAC Rules, Section 2700.30 (e)] allows it to be used in the recompute formula, once approved by the Commission. (For the 2006-07 academic year, the MAP start-up formula is using the 2003-04 reported tuition and fees.)

The reported tuition and fee information, as well as additional requested information such as term start dates, may be used by other ISAC programs. The term dates also allow for ISAC to better manage the MAP and IIA payment processes by assisting schools to adhere to the rule which permits schools to submit payment requests beginning 10 days prior to the start of classes for each term, but not earlier [ISAC Rule, 2735.40(l)]. The dates also provide the data needed by ISAC to assist institutions with the year-end return refund process, as well as helping institutions to identify the date by which an independent student must have resided in Illinois in order to receive a MAP grant (ISAC Rules, 2700.20). The room and board charges are used for statistical purposes only.

Q5. Do I report mandatory fees by term or for the full academic year?

A5. Fees are reported by term AND for the full year. There is a chart on page 2 (see sample below) of the Budget Packet that asks you to provide the type of fee by term and for the full year. You simply multiply the per term amount by the numbers of terms at your school (i.e., semester schools would multiply the term amount by 2, quarter schools by 3) to derive the full year amount. Report the highest tuition and fee rate that you would claim for MAP payment purposes.

Reported Mandatory Fee(s)

The chart at the bottom of page 2 within the Budget Packet asks for the total tuition and mandatory fees for a full-time undergraduate student based on 16 credit hours per term. Again, per term and full year figures are needed to complete the chart.

Q6. Is there a required Community College Credit Hour Table Addendum this year?

A6. No. Each postsecondary institution, including Community Colleges, reports a 2006-07 regular school year budget based on 16 credit hours per term. Report the highest tuition and fee rate that you would claim for MAP payment purposes.

Q7. What must be submitted with the MAP Budget Packet from each school?

A7. Each school must submit a copy of the institution’s tuition refund policy [ISAC Rules, Section 2700.30 (d)]. Postsecondary institutions that participate in gift assistance programs must provide this annual documentation to ISAC. Again, be sure this information is clearly identified with your institution’s name and MAP school code.

Q8. If the MAP Budget Packet is submitted via e-mail to ISAC, is the signature of the Financial Aid Director still required?

A8. No. As long as the MAP Budget Packet is submitted via e-mail to ISAC from the Financial Aid Director, ISAC will make the assumption that the director is certifying that all information contained within that packet is accurate and correct for the corresponding academic year.

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