|
 Launched by the Illinois Student Assistance
Commission (ISAC) four years ago to support students and families
who are completing their college applications and financial aid
forms at the same time, ISAC is extending support for the CCE
campaign to provide, with its partners, free workshops and
activities throughout the entire fall.
“The fall is a busy and stressful time for students and families as
they embark on a new school year, explore options for education and
training after high school, and navigate the financial aid process
all at once,” said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of ISAC. “What
many families might not know is that there is free, expert support
available throughout the state from high schools, ISAC, and
community partners to help students make more informed postsecondary
choices and access the financial aid for which they might be
eligible. Whether a student is considering vocational training or is
interested in a two or a four-year degree, there is free assistance
available to help them.”
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the form that
determines eligibility for federal and some state and institutional
financial aid, becomes available on October 1st for the 2020-21
school year. Because some state aid, such as the Monetary Award
Program (MAP grant) is awarded on a first come, first-served basis,
students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to
have the opportunity to receive all the financial aid for which they
might be eligible.
Between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, CCE activities will include free
FAFSA completion and college application workshops, where students
and families can fill out college applications and/or complete their
FAFSAs right then and there, with direct assistance from college and
financial aid experts. Almost 300 high schools in 215 towns and
cities in Illinois have scheduled a college application and/or FAFSA
Completion Workshop this fall, with more being scheduled every week.
Students and parents can check directly with their high schools for
events within their own school. Workshops will also be offered at
public locations throughout Illinois, supported by the college and
financial aid experts at ISAC and their partners. Visit
studentportal/ isac.org/events to search by zip code for a free
public event near you.
Those planning to attend a FAFSA Completion Workshop can check out
this handy list of what to bring to the event
https://studentportal.isac.org/
student-resources/Bring-to-FAFSA-Completion.pdf.
[to top of second column] |
Many statewide workshops are hosted or supported by the ISACorps,
recent college graduates who are extensively trained to serve as near peer
mentors to high school students navigating the college and financial aid
process. The ISACorps also provide free one-on-one assistance to students and
families. To find your local ISACorps member, visit studentportal.isac.org/isacorps.
Additionally, ISAC will be hosting and providing answers to
college-going and financial aid questions during Facebook Live (@ILStudentAssistance)
events every Wednesday from Sept. 11 - Oct. 9 and every Thursday from Oct. 3 -
Nov. 21 from 7-7:30 pm CST. Personalized assistance is also available through
ISAC College Q&A (isac.org/collegeqa), a free 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, as well as short videos
about college and financial aid. ISAC also offers assistance through the
agency’s call center, 1-800-899-4722 (ISAC), and its Online Chat service.
ISAC supports high schools and counselors who would like to participate in CCE
fall activities with a downloadable toolkit, materials and event support. Find
out more 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.
About College Changes Everything
College Changes Everything® (CCE) 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. CCE is an
essential part of helping Illinois reach its goal of increasing the proportion
of adults in the state with high quality degrees or credentials to 60% by 2025.
Find out more and join the conversation at collegechangeseverything.org.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |
