During College Changes Everything Month, Lilly Highlights Resources for Financial Aid

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As College Changes Everything Month in Illinois comes to a close, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly is highlighting financial aid planning resources available for prospective college students and their families.

“Navigating the college application and financial aid process can be a particularly stressful time for students and families,” Lilly said. “That’s why it is so important to draw attention to the free resources available for students and their families whether that student is seeking a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or vocational training.”

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is providing free financial aid workshops and resources for students and families throughout the fall. ISAC events include college fairs, financial aid presentations and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion workshops. Families and students can find events near them by visiting studentportal.isac.org/events. Additional tools available include:

• Weekly Facebook Live question and answer session each Thursday until Nov. 21. Students and families can view these sessions at com/ILStudentAssistance.
• Free assistance via text messaging. Students and families can view a local number to text at org/collegeqa.
• Online chat assistance available at ISAC’s student portal at isac.org.
• Students and families can also receive assistance by calling the ISAC call center at 800-899-ISAC (800-899-4722).

“A college education has a broad, positive impact on a person’s life, but the process of applying for college and financial aid can wear down the enthusiasm of a young person to attend college,” Lilly said. “In Illinois that doesn’t have to be the case since the state offers a suite of free resources in many forms to help students during their college application and financial aid process, whether a student is seeking  traditional degree or vocational training.”