 |
Volume 16, Number 2
October - December 2006
Welcome to the October - December 2006 electronic ISAC Communiqué, which is a quarterly compilation of e-Messages sent through College Zone’s e-Messaging service throughout October, November and December. This e-Messaging service has replaced both printed newsletters and special e-mail lists as ISAC’s primary means of communicating information to you.
The articles in this electronic Communiqué have been organized according to the Counselor Zone subscription groups to which the messages were distributed via College Zone’s e-Messaging service.
Questions?
Questions regarding information in this electronic Communiqué 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
Just Added! John A. Logan College and Chicago State University - "FAFSA Expert" Sessions - Register Now
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on December 21, 2006.
Due to an increased demand, we have added two additional sites to the second of our three part Professional Development Series, the "FAFSA Expert" sessions, which are designed especially for high school counselors, college admission counselors and community organization professionals.
Learn how to answer the questions that even the most experienced professionals may find difficult to answer:
- What is the income 'cut-off' for receiving financial aid?
- Is it true that families with savings can't get financial aid?
- Do I have to report my retirement savings as assets?
- How do I complete the parent section if I am in foster care?
- Where do I list College Illinois! on the FAFSA?
These half-day sessions (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) are designed to go beyond the basic line-by-line walkthrough of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and delve into the more complex tax, asset, eligibility, and need analysis questions. In-depth case studies will be used to illustrate the many nuances of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Formula, and all participants will be provided with a set of comprehensive reference materials created for use at Financial Aid Nights, FAFSA Completion Workshops, and throughout the school year. This training also provides three Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU).
Space is limited so choose from the following dates and locations below and register here:
January 19, 2007
Rock Valley College, N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL
Woodward Tech Center, Rooms 117/119/121
Campus Map
January 24, 2007
Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL
College Center, Moraine Room 1 and 2
Campus Map
January 26, 2007
Spoon River Community College, 23235 North County Rd. 22, Canton, IL
Engel Conference Center, SRC Conference Rooms A and B
Campus Map
January 30, 2007
Danville Area Community College, 2000 East Main Street,
Danville, IL
Vermilion Hall, Room 306
Campus Map
January 31, 2007
Chicago State University, 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL
Room To Be Determined (Check before date)
Campus Map
February 1, 2007
College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL
Room SRC 2800
Campus Map
February 2, 2007
East St. Louis Community College Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., East St. Louis, IL
Building "D", The Multi-Purpose Room
Campus Map
February 6, 2007
Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL
Room 3030
Driving Directions
February 8, 2007
John A. Logan College, 700 Logan College Road, Carterville, IL
Conference Center, Room F119
Campus Map
February 9, 2007
Truman College, 1145 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL
Room To Be Determined (Check before date)
Campus Map
Continental breakfast will be provided and registration begins at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming sessions.
Make sure you submit your registration and print the confirmation page for your records.
Return to Top
IllinoisMentor Training Curriculum
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers and Community Organizations on December 20, 2006.
ALL NEW! IllinoisMentor training curriculum for you to use with your students! Reserve the date to learn more!
It's hard to believe it's been a year since we launched IllinoisMentor at collegezone.com! Throughout this past year, our focus has been to build an awareness of the IllinoisMentor site and to encourage students and counselors to use it on a regular basis. Last spring we offered Web conference Counselor Center training sessions and since then, we've been developing a curriculum for use in the classroom that will help students explore the dynamic functionality of IllinoisMentor.
We will be offering three hands-on training sessions for high school counselors to introduce you to these curriculum materials and to give you a preview of some upcoming IllinoisMentor enhancements.
Reserve one of these dates!
- Thursday, January 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Capital Area Career Center in Springfield
- Thursday, January 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at Shawnee Community College in Ullin
- Wednesday, February 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn
More detailed information about these sessions, including the online registration, will be made available in the Partner Training section of College Zone on January 3, 2007. For now, we just wanted to provide you with these dates before you head out for the holiday break so you can get them on your calendar.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season … and we hope to see you in January! BREAK Our entire organization would like to wish all of our high school, college, community organization and library partners a safe and very happy holiday season.
We appreciate having the opportunity to serve the citizens of Illinois, and look forward to working with you throughout the next year.
May 2007 be a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous year for all.
Return to Top
Happy Holidays from ISAC
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counsleors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on December 19, 2006.
Holiday Schedules
Due to the holidays, ISAC staff will be unavailable on the following dates:
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Friday, December 22, 2006
- All day on Monday, December 25, 2006
- After 2 p.m. (CT) on Friday, December 29, 2006
- All day on Monday, January 1, 2007
Remember that you can access collegezone.com anytime, or send an e-mail message to ISAC's School Services Department. With the exception of holidays (such as those indicated above), ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
Return to Top
"FAFSA Expert" Sessions - Register Now
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on December 15, 2006.
Please join us as we start the new year with the second of our three part Professional Development Series with the "FAFSA Expert" sessions, designed especially for high school counselors, college admission counselors and community organization professionals.
Learn how to answer the questions that even the most experienced professionals may find difficult to answer:
- What is the income 'cut-off' for receiving financial aid?
- Is it true that families with savings can't get financial aid?
- Do I have to report my retirement savings as assets?
- How do I complete the parent section if I am in foster care?
- Where do I list College Illinois! on the FAFSA?
These half-day sessions (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) are designed to go beyond the basic line-by-line walkthrough of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and delve into the more complex tax, asset, eligibility, and need analysis questions. In-depth case studies will be used to illustrate the many nuances of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Formula, and all participants will be provided with a set of comprehensive reference materials created for use at Financial Aid Nights, FAFSA Completion Workshops, and throughout the school year. This training also provides three Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU).
Space is limited so choose from the following dates and locations below and register here:
January 19, 2007
Rock Valley College, N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL
Woodward Tech Center, Rooms 117/119/121
Campus Map
January 24, 2007
Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL
College Center, Moraine Rooms 1 and 2
Campus Map
January 26, 2007
Spoon River Community College, 23235 North County Rd. 22, Canton, IL
Engel Conference Center, SRC Conference Rooms A and B
Campus Map
January 30, 2007
Danville Area Community College, 2000 East Main Street,
Danville, IL
Vermilion Hall, Room 306
Campus Map
February 1, 2007
College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL
Room SRC 2800
Campus Map
February 2, 2007
East St. Louis Community College Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., East St. Louis, IL
Building "D", The Multi-Purpose Room
Campus Map
February 6, 2007
Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL
Room 3030
Driving Directions
February 9, 2007
Truman College, 1145 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL
Room To Be Determined (Check before date)
Campus Map
Continental breakfast will be provided and registration begins at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming sessions.
"Understanding Financial Aid Packaging" Sessions – Spring 2007
Registration begins February 6, 2007
Would you like to help your students identify a good financial aid package? This spring, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will wrap up its three part Professional Development Series by offering "Understanding Financial Aid Packaging" sessions throughout the state. These sessions will guide you to help your students and their families decipher award letters and compare aid packages, thereby allowing them to identify the best college fit.
We will offer a general perspective about the components of aid packaging. Overall, these sessions aim to provide you the opportunity to participate in comprehensive consumer education about higher education.
How to Register
Registration details, including dates and locations, will be available online through the Outreach & Training Calendar in the Counselor Zone at collegezone.com. We will also be sending e-Messages with the latest information and updates about additional training events. Make sure you submit your registration and print the confirmation page for your records.
Return to Top
2007-08 Teacher Program Applications Available - Due on or before March 1, 2007
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors and Community Organizations on December 14, 2006.
2007-08 TESP Interactive Application Launched
ISAC is pleased to announce that the interactive application for 2007-08 Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP), used to apply for the Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) Program and the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program, is available at collegezone.com. Now in its third year, this online application offers such benefits as providing program information at the applicant's fingertips, performing online edits to prevent errors, allowing faster delivery time, and generating immediate confirmation that the application has been received.
As a reminder, only applicants with a valid digital ID from the State of Illinois will be able to access the online application. Applicants who had obtained a digital ID for a previous year's TESP application process will use that same digital ID this year. Additional information regarding the IFTC Program and the MTI Scholarship Program and the application process, including 2007-08 teacher shortage disciplines for the IFTC Program, is available within the ISAC Gift Assistance Program area. These resources will assist you with questions you receive from students regarding the TESP application process.
The Student Zone provides applicants with direct access to details about the IFTC Program and MTI Scholarship Program. Applicants will have access to information regarding the application process, including instructions for specific application fields, once they access the Teacher Education Scholarship Programs area and launch the application.
2007-08 Illinois SETTW Program Application Available
The 2007-08 Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Application is now available to print, complete and submit. Students pursuing a degree in special education who are willing to commit to teaching in Illinois after completing their degrees may be eligible to apply. Details about this program, including eligibility requirements, are provided in the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
2007-08 Nurse Educator Scholarship Program Application Available
The 2007-08 Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP) Application is now available to print, complete and submit. Graduate-level students pursuing a career in professional or practical nursing education who are willing to commit to teaching in Illinois after completing their degrees may be eligible to apply. Details about this program, including eligibility requirements, are provided in the Nurse Educator Scholarship Program (NESP) section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
Return to Top
ISAC Names New Executive Director
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on December 5, 2006.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is pleased to announce that Andrew A. (Andy) Davis has been appointed to fill the position of Executive Director, effective January 1, 2007. Andy succeeds Larry Matejka, who is retiring at the end of the year after 26 years of service to Illinois students and their families.
Andy served as an ISAC Commissioner from October 2005 to September 2006, at which time he was named Special Assistant to ISAC's Executive Director. Prior to joining ISAC, he had extensive experience with the investment and securities industry, as well as 15 years of service on the Beloit College Board of Trustees. As stated by ISAC Chairman Don McNeil in ISAC's Press Release regarding Andy's appointment, "Andy Davis' record of achievement in the world of high finance as well as the world of higher education makes him uniquely prepared for this challenge".
Please join ISAC Commissioners and staff in congratulating Andy on his appointment.
Return to Top
Tips to Ensure the Timely Processing of Online Orders for ISAC Publications
Sent to High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on November 17, 2006.
The end of the year is just around the corner and, before you know it, the 2007-08 financial aid processing cycle will be upon us. In anticipation of the inquiries you're likely to receive from students and families, now is the perfect time to review your inventory of ISAC publications and replenish supplies that might be running low.
ISAC's publications - including informational brochures, default prevention materials, and Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) forms - can be ordered, at no charge, from the convenience of your computer via the Order Materials section at collegezone.com.
The following tips and reminders are offered to help ensure the smooth and timely processing of your online publications request:
- When ordering new materials, verify that your existing supply of publications is current by comparing the form number and revision date as they appear at collegezone.com (immediately after a publication's name at each Zone's Order Materials page) to those listed on the back of your printed copies. For example, the current version of the Borrowing & Repayment - Know how student loans work brochure has a form number and revision date of "#F3602 6/06."
- In order for an online request to be transmitted to ISAC, you must complete a two-step process.
- After all required data has been entered (including your demographic information and details regarding which publications are being requested), click on the "Submit" button (which appears at the very bottom of the Order Materials page).
- Once the Order Materials Confirmation page appears (displaying the details of your order), you must either confirm (by clicking on the "Confirm" button) or revise (by clicking on the "Make Corrections" button) the order.
Once the "Confirm" button has been selected, an Order Materials Receipt page will appear. This receipt, which verifies that the order has been successfully submitted, should be printed for your records. Note that, if an Order Materials Receipt page does not appear, then the order did not complete successfully.
- Materials are typically delivered within 10 days from the date an order is successfully placed online. This timeframe will vary if an item is on backorder.
Return to Top
Special Statement from ISAC Chairman McNeil Regarding Opinion from Illinois Attorney General
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on October 24, 2006.
On October 20, 2006, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued an opinion providing guidance to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) as it explores available options to increase revenue from existing assets. This opinion was provided in response to an earlier inquiry from the Honorable Richard P. Myers, Minority Spokesperson of the Illinois House Appropriations - Higher Education Committee. The October 20th opinion is posted at the Illinois Attorney General Web site.
We are pleased to share a statement from ISAC Chairman Don McNeil regarding the Attorney General's opinion. Please see his statement on the ISAC Press Releases page at collegezone.com.
Return to Top
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Important Dates
Sent to Principals/Superintendents/Administrators, High School Counselors/Teachers, College Admission Counselors, Community Organizations and Public Libraries on October 11, 2006.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) would like to make you aware of the following information, which may be of interest to you and/or your college-bound students and their families.
Now through December: "FAFSA Made Easy" Sessions
Half-day sessions - designed especially for high school counselors, college admission counselors and community organization professionals - are taking place through December, and will focus on the intricacies of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and student eligibility for financial aid. Dates and locations, the session agenda, and online registration can all be accessed via the "The FAFSA Made Easy: September - December 2006" option at the e-Library's Partner Training page.
October 13th: ISAC-Generated Sixth Semester Rosters Due
ISAC-generated High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP) Sixth Semester Academic Information Rosters (used for 2007-08 academic year processing) are due back to ISAC on or before Friday, October 13, 2006. Details are available at the Sixth Semester Roster Packet page, located within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.
October 17th: Mapping Your Future Chat Event
On Tuesday, October 17, 2006, Mapping Your Future will offer a chat from 6 to 7 p.m. (CT), providing students with an opportunity to get answers to general financial aid, student loan, and money management questions.
At the time of the event, you can access Mapping Your Future by selecting "Mapping Your Future" from the "Counselor Quick Links" menu that appears along the right margin of the Counselor Zone front page.
Students can use the link on the right side of the Student Zone front page.
Mapping Your Future can also be accessed directly at mapping-your-future.org.
The calendar of upcoming Chat Events - which includes the chat schedule through July 2007 - is in the Outreach Activities section of College Zone, which can be accessed in the center of the College Zone home page.
Archived Questions and Answers from earlier chats can be accessed by visiting the section entitled "Chat Transcripts" at mapping-your-future.org/services/chatnight.htm.
The above is based on information from a Mapping Your Future E-Update. Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative public service project of the financial aid industry, including ISAC - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide free college, career, financial aid, and financial literacy services for schools, students, and families.
October 23rd: 2006-07 College Illinois! General Enrollment Period Opens
The 2006-07 general enrollment period for the College Illinois! 529 prepaid tuition plan opens on Monday, October 23, 2006 and continues through April 24, 2007. Families can pre-enroll between now and October 23rd.
Holiday Schedules
ISAC offices will be closed on the following dates:
- Friday, November 10, 2006 (Veterans Day Observation)
- Thursday, November 23, 2006 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Friday, November 24, 2006 (Day after Thanksgiving)
- Monday, December 25, 2006 (Christmas Day)
- Monday, January 1, 2007 (New Year's Day)
Remember that you can access collegezone.com anytime, or send an e-mail message to ISAC's School Services Department. With the exception of holidays (such as those indicated above), ISAC staff will review and respond to messages during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT).
Return to Top
ISAC Communiqué
New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone
Sent on October 2, 2006
The latest “electronic-only” edition of the ISAC Communiqué is now available for your review within the ISAC Publications section of College Zone's e-Library. This electronic version of ISAC's newsletter is a quarterly compilation of information provided to Counselor Zone partners via College Zone's e-Messaging service during the months of July, August and September.
Topics covered in this electronic Communiqué include:
- ISAC Executive Director Larry Matejka Announces Retirement
- Play Your Cards Right: Don't Gamble With Your Credit
- HSSP Sixth Semester Roster Data Due October 13, 2006
- Upcoming Training Opportunities
- ISAC Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month
- Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Important Dates
- Protecting Private Data
- Change In Treatment Of 529 Prepaid Tuition Plans in Need Analysis
- Governor Signs MAP Plus Into Law
- New ISAC Communiqué Available at College Zone
Electronic newsletters are available at the beginning of each quarter (January, April, July, and October), and are the compilation of information announced via an e-Message to any of the Counselor Zone subscription groups during the previous quarter.
Return to Top
|