Illinois commission launches 2025 college campaign

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has announced its 10th annual “College Changes Everything” (CCE) Campaign, which runs from Labor Day through Thanksgiving.

Officials say during the campaign, ISAC partners with schools and community organizations to help students and families with exploration of education after high school, and with college and financial aid applications. While ISAC provides these supports year-round, the CCE campaign offers an intensive schedule of free college and financial aid application completion workshops throughout Illinois. 

“Each year, the CCE Campaign helps Illinois students find the path to education after high school that is right for them, and assists them in applying for the funding that can make that education possible,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “We celebrate the commitment and collaboration of our partners in the CCE Campaign over the last 10 years, who have helped make it possible for hundreds of thousands of Illinois students to gain access to higher education and financial aid, opening doors to brighter futures.”  

State officials say most students planning to attend college next year will complete the 2026-27 FAFSA. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal student loans, but also for money students don’t have to pay back, including scholarships and need-based grants like the federal Pell grant and the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. 

Officials say while most students will complete the FAFSA, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offers a pathway for qualifying students who are not eligible for federal aid to apply for state financial aid, like the MAP grant. 

Officials say ISAC’s free resources are available to students and families statewide to help them complete their financial aid application and to support them through the entire college planning process. 

Free college and financial aid resources for students and parents:

• College and financial aid application completion workshops are here.
• One-on-one assistance with college planning and financial aid applications.
  • Contact a local ISACorps member here. Or, people can set up a virtual meeting with an ISAC expert here.
• Get answers via text.
  • Ask questions and get answers from an ISAC expert through the ISAC College Q&A free text messaging service.
• Online tools like scholarship search, financial aid planning, cost estimators, College Minute tips and more.
• Answers to questions about ISAC financial aid programs, through ISAC’s Student Engagement and Support Services, 800-899-ISAC (4722).
• Support and resources for First Gen students, who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree, through the First Generation Scholars Network.

ISAC also provides resources to help ISAC’s partners support students:

• CCE Campaign support.
  • Downloadable campaign toolkit, materials, merchandise and event support. Counselors can find out more here.
• ISAC’s Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative helps high schools support their students and meet the Illinois financial aid application completion requirement.
  • ISAC’s free service helps counselors identify students who have not filed a financial aid application. Schools receive Recognition of Excellence honors for reaching financial aid application completion milestones, seen here.

Officials say the mission of the ISAC is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable. 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.