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 It’s a particularly important effort as the state,
now with a budget in place, must address the impact of a two-year
budget delay that left some students with little choice but to drop
out of college or leave Illinois—frustrating personal goals and
hampering the state’s efforts to increase its skilled workforce.
“This is a time to not only rebuild confidence in Illinois colleges
and grant programs, but also to remind our students of the value of
a college degree or postsecondary certificate,” said Eric Zarnikow,
executive director of ISAC. “Particularly for high school seniors
and those considering going back to school, we want them to know
that postsecondary education can boost their career and long-term
earning potential, and can also positively impact their health and
their community. And we want them to know that there is a lot of
free assistance to help them make smart choices about school, apply,
and get the money they need to pursue a degree or certificate.”
ISAC developed CCE Month as a statewide effort to assist students
who, as a result of changes made by the U.S. Department of Education
last year, now file both college and financial aid applications in
the fall. While ISAC provides free assistance to students and
families year round, during CCE Month in October ISAC and partners
support well over a thousand workshops that assist students with
finding the college that is right for them, completing college
applications, and filling out the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA®), the application for all federal financial aid
and some state aid, including the Illinois Monetary Award Program
(MAP) grant. Because there is more demand than funding for grants
like MAP, students will want to complete the 2018-19 FAFSA as soon
as possible after October 1st in order to have the best chance of
getting funding.
Many CCE Month workshops are supported by the
ISACorps, a group of recent college graduates working statewide who
are extensively trained in assisting students with planning,
applying, and paying for college. To find your local ISACorps
member, visit studentportal/ isac.org/isacorps. To search by zip
code for a free public event near you, visit studentportal/isac.org/
events. Students and parents should also check directly with their
high schools for events within their own school.
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ISAC will also be providing answers to financial aid questions
during Facebook Live (@ILStudentAssistance) events from 7-7:30 pm CST on October
3, 11, 16, 23, and 30th, and personalized assistance is also available through
ISAC College Q&A (isac.org/qa) a text messaging service where students can get
answers to their college and financial aid questions sent directly to their
phones. The award-winning ISAC Student Portal (isac.org/studentportal) offers
free online tools and resources for students. ISAC also offers assistance
through the agency’s call center, 1-800-899-4722 (ISAC).
High schools and counselors who would like to participate in College Changes
Everything Month can find information and a downloadable toolkit at
collegechangeseverything.org/ccemonth.
About ISAC
The mission of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is to help make
college accessible and affordable for students throughout Illinois. ISAC
provides comprehensive, objective, and timely information on education and
financial aid for students and their families--giving them access to the tools
they need to make the educational choices that are right for them. Then, through
the state scholarship and grant programs ISAC administers, ISAC can help
students make those choices a reality. www.isac.org
About College Changes Everything
College Changes Everything® is a college access movement that recognizes that
college can be a life changing experience not only for students, but also for
families and communities. In Illinois and across the nation, those who obtain
education beyond high school not only see a significant impact on their
potential career prospects and future salary, but also change levels of poverty,
life expectancy, crime and obesity rates in their communities. Join the
conversation and help make college relevant and possible for everyone by sharing
your story about how college changed, is changing or can change everything for
you. Find out more and share your story at
www.college
changeseverything.org.
[Lynne Baker, Illinois Student
Assistance Commission]
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