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In November of each year, ISAC announces the State Scholar Finalists. Students from nearly every high school in Illinois compete in the program. State Scholars can be found on the campuses of nearly 200 public and private institutions of higher education in Illinois. The combination of exemplary college entrance examination scores and record high school achievement indicate an especially high potential for success in college. To be honored as a State Scholar in Illinois is an outstanding accomplishment that will be a highlight of the recipient’s academic record.
Historically, the State Scholar Program has been an honorary (rather than financial) award. 2009-10 State Scholars will receive a paid subscription to the online version of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Instructions on how to access the subscription, are included with the congratulatory letter that is sent directly to each high school senior who is designated as a State Scholar.
Announcement of 2009-10 State Scholars is through an online listing which replaces the Announcement Rosters for State Scholar Finalists that were mailed to high schools in previous years.The online listing displays each State Scholar alphabetically by high school, within the school's Illinois county. A link to the online listing is located in the right-hand menu of this page.
The selection procedures are documented within this section. Links to the online listing of State Scholars, the formula that is used as part of the State Scholar selection process, a sample Announcement Roster for students who were not selected as finalists, a cover letter and State Scholar Program reminders that are mailed to high school counselors as part of the announcement packet are available in the right-hand menu of this page. For each student named as a State Scholar Finalist, a corresponding Certificate of Achievement is included within the packet of materials sent to high schools. Typically, the Certificates are presented to Scholars during a high school honors ceremony, but may be distributed according to the preferences of the high school.
ISAC also assists Regional Offices, as well as high school counselors, in notifying local media of student accomplishments. A sample press release is provided to assist counselors with acknowledgement of State Scholars. Counselors may simply complete those parts of the press release with the pertinent information and the names of individual scholars and send it to local and community newspapers, and radio and television stations. Students can be recognized locally for their academic achievement. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, if listings are sent to the media, Social Security Numbers must not be included.
If the high school counselor feels that a student should have been designated as a State Scholar and was not, refer to the page within this section about appeals. Appeals must be received at ISAC on or before 60 days after the date that State Scholars are announced.
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