Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities

ISAC Suspends MAP Award Processing July 26 Due to High Demand & Budget Cuts

Released: 7/22/2008

ISAC sent the following message via email to institutions on July 22, announcing an unusually early MAP award processing suspension date. The General Assembly had appropriated an $18 million increase for the MAP program this year, but it was eliminated by the Governor's line-item vetoes. That additional money would have allowed for extended processing.

Suspension of MAP Award Announcements Effective July 26, 2008

Due to current trends in the number of eligible applicants and expected payment claim rates, the anticipated appropriations for the 2008-09 Monetary Award Program (MAP) are fully committed. As a result, ISAC will suspend the announcement of MAP grants for all students whose initial
2008-09 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received by the Central Processing System (CPS) on or after July 26, 2008.

ISAC will evaluate the status of suspended awards as more information becomes available and, if application volume and claim rates support such action, may release some suspended awards. In the event any suspended awards are released, they would be subject to the 2008-09 MAP priority consideration dates.

The "Suspension of MAP Award Announcements" page, located within the MAP section of the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com, will soon be updated to reflect the suspension of 2008-09 MAP award announcements.

Student Award Announcements

Colleges will need to suspend announcements of MAP awards to students whose initial FAFSA receipt date is on or after July 26, 2008.

ISAC will be notifying all affected applicants whose initial FAFSA reflects an expected family contribution (EFC) of 8999 or below that their awards have been placed in suspension status. A sample copy of this notification will soon be available at the 2008-09 Acknowledgement Letters page, located within the MAP section of College Zone's ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area.

Identifying Records in Suspension Status

MAP records in suspension status will be indicated by an Eligibility Code
of "S" ("Suspended -- indicates student is temporarily suspended from processing due to insufficient funding. Not eligible for payment for any terms") on MAPnet and in the Eligibility Status File (ESF).

Reminder of IIA Program Records in Suspension Status

The announcement of awards for the 2008-09 Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program has been suspended for all students whose initial 2008-09 FAFSA is received by the CPS on or after July 12, 2008.

Questions?

As new information becomes available throughout the year, ISAC routinely updates the MAP and IIA "Program News" pages within the ISAC Gift Assistance Programs area at collegezone.com. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status of these programs.

You are receiving this message because you registered for College Zone’s e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups within the FAA Zone.

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 schoolservices@isac.org.