While the collegiate year has just begun for many college students, now is the time to begin the process for receiving financial aid for the 2018-2019 college year. Students can start applying for financial aid for the fall 2018 semester on October 1. By applying through www.fafsa.ed.gov, students will be considered not only for federal student aid, but also for the state MAP grant program and for college-specific aid. Free expert help is also available through a FAFSA completion workshop (dates can be found at www.studentportal/isac.org/events). Some grant programs deliver funds early, so apply soon to maximize your chances for receiving funds.
Students can get answers to their financial aid questions during an upcoming Facebook Live event. Simply like and follow “Illinois Student Assistance Commission” and ask them your questions between 7:00 – 7:30 PM on October 3, 11, 16, 23 or 30. A text message alert system is also available, and that information can be accessed through the ISAC College Q & A at www.isac.org/collegeqa.
The ISAC Student Portal, available at www.studentportal.isac.org, is a valuable tool filled with planning resources, including an interactive college prep checklist, financial aid estimators, career exploration tools and a scholarship search service.
College can be overwhelming, so the Illinois Student Assistance Corps is trained to help you navigate the college search, application, and financial aid processes- all for free. You can find the contact information for a Corps member near you by visiting www.studentportal/isac.org/isacorps.