MAP Award Announcements

The announcement process begins with ISAC sending an acknowledgement letter to all students who indicated a MAP-approved school as one of their six school choices on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This letter acknowledges receipt of the student's application, but does not include an award amount. A copy of the MAP Rights and Responsibilities, which includes pertinent student consumer information, is enclosed with each acknowledgement letter. Access samples of the various letters that ISAC sends to applicants by clicking the appropriate academic year link in the right-hand menu.

ISAC will also include information and an Information Sheet about the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) grant in all acknowledgement letters sent to students who meet the MAP eligibility requirements, indicate a freshman grade level and have a zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

School Requirements

ISAC will send only one acknowledgement letter to each applicant. The school, rather than ISAC, notifies the applicant of changes in eligibility status. Schools are required to announce MAP and IIA awards to the students enrolled at their institutions, including students who are only eligible for a 2nd semester/2nd and 3rd quarter MAP award. Schools are required to clearly identify the awards on the award notification as:  State of IL MAP Grant (Est) and State of IL IIA Grant (Est). Schools are also required to notify students who:

• are not eligible due to a zero award;
• have an incomplete record;
• have a loan in default;
• are considered late applicants; or
• have exceeded the intermediate maximum of 75 MAP Paid Credit Hours.

The specific language required to be included on the school issued award letters may differ depending on the academic year.

2008-09 Required School Issued Award Letter Language