ISAC Announces 2007 Illinois State Scholars

Agency salutes ‘academic blue chippers' of Class of 2007

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) today recognized 17,093 high school students from across the state as 2007 Illinois State Scholars.

“These students are the academic blue chippers of the Class of 2007,” said ISAC Executive Director Larry Matejka, whose agency has overseen the Illinois State Scholars program since 1958. “Illinois State Scholars are among the best and the brightest in our state’s high schools, and we salute them, their families and their teachers for this outstanding achievement.”

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of the state’s high school seniors from 897 high schools in all 102 counties.  Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year.  High school guidance counselors work in conjunction with ISAC to determine the winners.  At least a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized in the past 48 years.

Congratulatory letters from ISAC and Certificates of Achievement have been mailed to each high school for distribution to each scholar.  All state legislators are also notified of the scholars in their legislative district so they may honor the winners, as well.  While the recognition does not provide a monetary award, winners are encouraged to cite the award on applications for college admission and scholarships. 

“As competition increases for college admission and financial assistance, Illinois State Scholar awardees have earned a real edge by hitting the books and getting good grades,” said ISAC Chairman Don McNeil.  “These students are shining examples that hard work pays off.”

McNeil urged every Illinois high school student 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 new MAP Plus program, 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 totaling $400 million and guaranteed $1.24 billion in loans to 232,631 students.  Its 529 prepaid tuition program – College Illinois! – has allowed Illinois families to prepay more than $1 billion in tuition and fees.

About ISAC
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is the State’s centralized provider of financial assistance aimed at helping students and families access postsecondary education and/or training. Each year, the Commission awards an estimated $400 million in scholarship and grant aid to nearly 185,000 qualified students, and also provides an additional $740 million to borrowers through its student loan programs. The agency offers credit-based alternative loans, a 529 prepaid tuition program known as College Illinois!, and a broad array of outreach and informational services to ensure that families have access to the information they need to pay for a college education. More information is available by calling toll-free 800.899.ISAC (4722) or visiting the agency’s Web site at www.collegezone.com.