While the current budget delay has made this a challenging time for higher education in Illinois, financial aid is available to help make college possible for Illinois students—if they apply for it. As part of Financial Aid Awareness Month, students are reminded to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the form that determines a student’s eligibility for most federal, state, and college financial aid programs. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency that works with students and families year-round to increase college access, is offering a host of free workshops and other assistance to assist students in completing the form as soon as possible. The 2016-17 FAFSA became available on January 1, 2016, and ISAC has been recommending to students that they file as soon as possible after that date.

Personalized assistance is also available via text messaging, by signing up for ISAC College Q&A, a new free service for students to get their questions answered about college planning and financial aid, and receive important information about the FAFSA, college planning events and deadlines. Additional online resources, including tools to locate potential scholarship dollars, manage money and student loan debt, and career and job resources, are available through the new ISAC Student Portal. ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center, 1-800-899-4722 (ISAC).