Suspension of 2016-17 MAP Award Announcements Effective March 10, 2016

03/07/2016

Unless otherwise noted, links in this message are to corresponding pages at ISAC's website (isac.org).

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is suspending the announcement of 2016-17 Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for applicants (except dislocated workers*) whose initial 2016-17 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is received by the Central Processing System (CPS) on or after Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Beginning as early as Monday, March 14, 2016, MAP records in suspense status will:

be reflected in the MAP component of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs (GAP) Access portal;

show on the appropriate screens and reports; and,

appear in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction.

Monitoring Continues; Any Future Release Would Be Dependent on Final FY17 Budget Action and Claim Rates

When FAFSA filing commences each year, ISAC staff monitors and analyzes MAP application volume and projected claim rates. Once projections indicate that the demand is close to exceeding the anticipated availability of limited MAP dollars, ISAC suspends award announcements. Because a fiscal year 2016 (FY16) appropriation for MAP has not yet been determined, FY17 projections are being made based on the FY15 MAP funding level, which is the most recent fiscal year for which there is a final budget. ISAC staff will continue to monitor the FY17 budget situation, along with MAP application volume and claim rates. If future analysis indicates that a partial release of awards from suspense status is viable, we will communicate that information to the financial aid community as it becomes available.

* Dislocated Workers

Independent student applicants who are dislocated workers are not impacted by this initial suspension of 2016-17 MAP award announcements. Dislocated worker applicants will continue to have awards announced until such time that a dislocated worker suspense date is determined.

As a reminder, Public Act 098-0967 (the MAP for Dislocated Workers program) was signed into law on August 15, 2014 for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years. The program provides additional and specific MAP consideration for the needs of dislocated workers, and allows them an opportunity to receive a MAP grant even if they apply later than the general pool of applicants.

2016-17 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart

The 2016-17 MAP Applicant Award Announcement Status Chart provides an overview of categories for students based on the initial application (FAFSA) receipt date.

Student Award Announcements

Colleges must suspend announcements of MAP awards to applicants (except dislocated workers*) whose initial 2016-17 FAFSA receipt date is on or after March 10, 2016.

Please note that ISAC is not notifying affected applicants that their awards have been placed in suspense status. Colleges are advised to communicate announcement information to students with suspended awards as prescribed in school policy and procedure.

Identifying Records in Suspense Status

MAP records in suspense status will be indicated by a MAP Suspend Code of "S" (S = New application received after the suspense date will not be considered for an award this year) in the MAP system and in the MAP Eligibility File Extraction. The MAP system contains filters that will allow you to identify student records and create a report of those records placed in suspense status.

Check ISAC's Website Periodically for Updates

As new information becomes available throughout the year, ISAC will continue to update the MAP Program News page within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs section (which may be accessed via the Financial Aid Administrators area). Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status of this program.

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If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please contact ISAC's School Services Department by calling toll free at 866.247.2172 or sending an e-mail message to isac.schoolservices@isac.illinois.gov.