ISAC To March in Billiken Parade - State agency to promote college planning, availability of scholarships

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will participate in the 78th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, August 11, 2007.  The state agency – which has been helping students from low-income families attend college since 1957 – will promote its message of “Making College Affordable for Illinois Students”.

In addition to marching in the parade under banners promoting its College Zone Outreach Centers, ISAC will operate an information booth after the parade in Washington Park where families can learn more about available scholarships and grants, as well as how to plan for college financially and academically.

“I can’t wait to march in this parade, which has always been for and about young people,” said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, who spent part of his youth on Chicago’s South Side.  “It has a long tradition of raising money for college scholarships, it’s an exciting back-to-school event and this year’s theme reminds us that education is the key to the future.”

Davis noted that one grant program administered by ISAC is named for a legendary South Side education advocate.  The Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access Grant has helped thousands of college freshmen receive a one-time $500 grant to help with college tuition.  Purnell, a product of Wendell Phillips High and Roosevelt University, was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen.  He helped raise funds for more than 60,000 disadvantaged Chicago high school students to attend college.  A section of State Street near the Bud Billiken Parade route is named “Honorary Silas Purnell Drive”.

“We are honored to be associated with Silas Purnell, whose message of hope enabled thousands of Chicago students to be the first in their families to attend college,” Davis said.  “We vow to continue his efforts to make college affordable for every Illinois student who works hard and simply wants an opportunity to excel.”

To help high school students and their families navigate the world of college financial aid, ISAC – in conjunction with the Illinois Community College Board - operates 52 College Zone Outreach Centers across Illinois.  A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be obtained along with other materials on a wide range of topics, and questions can be asked of expert staff.  The College Zone Outreach Centers are located at most community colleges and Chicago’s Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph, 3rd floor).  Chicago-area College Zone Centers are located at Harold Washington, Malcolm X, Morton, Olive Harvey, Daley (both campuses), Moraine Valley, South Suburban, Truman and Triton Colleges. 

Davis urged high school students and their families to visit ISAC’s website (http://www.collegezone.com/) for more information about the many college financial assistance programs available.  The innovative site also offers career counseling services, a planning timeline, virtual campus tours and online applications.

Created in 1957, ISAC is the state’s central provider of college aid.  The agency oversees the successful Monetary Award Program (MAP), as well as the Illinois Veteran Grant program and service-related programs to encourage more students to pursue careers in teaching or nursing.  Last year, ISAC issued 185,000 grants and scholarships totaling $400 million.  Its 529 prepaid tuition program – College Illinois! – has allowed Illinois families to prepay more than $1 billion in tuition and fees.