ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – High school seniors and their families received help applying for college financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at a workshop recently held by state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, in conjunction with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

“Navigating the financial aid process can be complicated at times,” Walker said. “I’m grateful we had experts from ISAC on hand to help residents through the application. College aid is given on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it’s important students apply sooner rather than later.”

FAFSA applications for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year opened Oct. 1 for high school seniors. Submitting a FAFSA application can also qualify a student for state-level aid such as MAP Grants. If residents could not attend but would like assistance with the process, students and their families can contact ISAC at 847-544-9217.

“I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken in Illinois to make college more affordable for our residents,” Walker said. “We’ve increased access to our world-class higher education institutions by increasing funding for MAP grants and investing in Illinois’ AIM HIGH grant program. It’s important that as we increase access we also make sure students and their families can navigate the process effectively. I’m thankful for the work ISAC does to help us with that goal.”

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is helping expand access to higher education by promoting “College Changes Everything Month”, an initiative of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to provide free financial aid and application assistance for college.

“We need to do all we can to expand opportunities for our kids to go to college,” Pappas said. “Higher education not only helps people learn how to think and build new skills, it opens up new career paths that can change the course of their lives. I’m grateful to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s work to provide these resources to families who are in-need.”

Pappas is backing the ISAC program to help extend support to students and families who need financial resources to pay for higher education costs. For the last four years, free college resources-including college applications, financial aid forms and information on scholarships-have been available during October, ISAC’s “College Changes Everything” month.

“Building a stronger Illinois with a thriving economy means providing the same prospects to everyone,” Pappas said. “I will fight to make sure the children in our community grow up in a world where everyone can have a thorough education that leads to a stable job.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – To help local high school seniors and their families apply for college student aid, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, have organized a free college aid sign-up seminar in coordination with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, located at 500 N. Dunton Ave. in Arlington Heights.

“College student aid can sometimes be difficult to navigate,” Walker said. “Students need to apply for aid sooner rather than later. Senator Gillespie and I appreciate ISAC joining us to guide students and their families through the application process.”

Representatives from ISAC will be on hand to help applicants through the financial aid application process. The seminar is free-flowing and will have multiple stations available to attendees. Students and their families need to bring their social security number; alien registration number if the student is not a U.S. citizen; 2018 federal tax returns, W-2’s, and other records of money earned; banking statements and records of investments if applicable; records of untaxed income if applicable; and a list of colleges the student would like to attend.

“FAFSA and student aid applications open Oct. 1 and money is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Walker said. “This event is a great opportunity for high school seniors and their families to complete their aid application on time and correctly with the help of ISAC. I encourage all who are interested to contact my office for more information or to register.”

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To prepare families and teens for paying for college, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will host a FAFSA Seminar to teach attendees how to complete the application for financial aid. A representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will be giving a small presentation and answering questions regarding the application. The seminar will be held on Oct. 8 from 6-7 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Collinsville City Hall, located at 125 S. Center Street.

“I recently sent my kids to college, and filling out the FAFSA for the first time can be difficult to understand,” Stuart said. “I want to provide constituents with this opportunity so they can ask questions and receive some guidance when applying for federal student aid.”

FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, gives students an idea of how they can receive grants, scholarships, loans or other funds to help pay for college or career school.  Applications for the 2020-2021 school year will be available after Oct. 1, 2019. Anyone considering attending college or career school for the upcoming school year, as well as current students, are encouraged to attend this event.

“I want to ensure that all students that want to pursue higher education have the resources and information to do so,” continued Stuart. “This seminar can simplify one step of the process of applying to college or a trade school, which could make the difference of whether or not they end up attending.”

For more information, contact Rep. Stuart’s Constituent Services Office in Collinsville at 618-365-6650 or at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After over four years of work, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, passed legislation through both chambers that would ensure state financial aid is available to all Illinois students regardless of race, immigration status or gender identity.

“Higher education is key to move up the socioeconomic ladder and it’s unacceptable that some of our young people are being locked out of state financial aid,” Hernandez said. “The RISE Act will address this injustice and ensure that our state invests in all of its young people.”

By working with a diverse coalition of legislators, advocates, students, and university faculty, Hernandez passed House Bill 2691, which expands access to state aid by increasing the credit hour limit in place that disproportionately locks students of color from state aid. In 2018, 1,700 students who applied for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant were denied because they had surpassed the current credit hour limit. Often times, students who come from inadequately funded schools have to take additional coursework to catchup to their peers, which is why they reach the credit hour threshold much quicker.

Hernandez’s legislation also allows Illinois students who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, such as DACA recipients, to be eligible for state financial aid, as well as transgender students who do not register for selective service and as result are ineligible for federal aid. The measure now awaits Governor Pritzker’s consideration.

“This legislation is about equity for minority and marginalized young people,” Hernandez said. “I am grateful for the collaboration and support from the universities, advocates, students, and diverse coalition of legislators that it took to make this possible. I urge Governor Pritzker to move swiftly and sign this crucial measure into law.”

JOLIET, Ill. – With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, will help residents receive the financial assistance they need to pay for their schooling at a College Financial Aid Information Session on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Joliet Moose Lodge, located at 25 Springfield Avenue in Joliet.

“Whether an individual enrolling in college for the first time or returning to further their education, financial assistance is available to help cover the costs of going to college,” Walsh said. “Every student should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see if they qualify for grants or low-interest loans.”

Walsh’s free event will feature experts from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission who will discuss the different forms of financial aid and work-study programs that are available, answer questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), explain how student loans work, detail application deadlines and provide other helpful tips.

Families unable to attend this presentation can still find helpful information on making college more affordable at www.isac.org. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Walsh’s constituent service office at 815-730-8600, or StateRepLarryWalshJr@gmail.com.

“I appreciate the experts from ISAC for partnering with me for this event and helping answer any questions residents have about covering the cost of higher education,” Walsh said. “I encourage the parents of high school seniors and juniors, as well as non-traditional students, to attend this presentation and learn about the financial assistance available.”

CICERO, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, is helping students apply for financial assistance through a series of free workshops on Thursday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and by appointment at her district office, located at 2137 S. Lombard Ave., Suite 205 in Cicero.

“Applying to college can be an overwhelming experience, especially for first-generation students who are often unaware of all of the different resources out there to make obtaining a degree more affordable,” Hernandez said. “That’s why I host annual events like my College for Everyone resource fair, and now I’m partnering up with ISAC to help students complete their FAFSA applications. Whether you’re a student, someone who’s planning on applying, or just want to learn more about the college financial aid process, our workshop offers something for everyone.”

Hernandez is partnering with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to provide a financial aid advisor to help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2018-2019 school year and answer any questions they may have. The FAFSA application period opened in Illinois on Oct. 1, and awards will be made until funds are depleted, so students are strongly encouraged to complete their application as soon as possible. Hernandez hosted her first workshop last Thursday, and will be hosting more on Thursday, Oct. 19, and Thursday Oct. 26.

For more information, or to set up an appointment, please call Hernandez’s full-time constituent service office at 708- 222-5240.

What:              College Financial Aid Workshop

Who:               State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez,

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), and local students

When:             Thursday, Oct. 19 and Oct. 26

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment

Where:            Rep. Hernandez’s District Office

2137 S. Lombard Ave., Suite 205

Cicero

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, issued the following statement after approving a stopgap budget that allows schools to open on time and provides funding for services that working families across the state rely on:

“For over a year the governor and many in the legislature have denied working families the services they rely on and done significant damage to our economy. The funding I approved today allows our community schools to open on time, provides financial aid for low-income college students, and funds essential services that are relied on by home-bound seniors, children with disabilities and women who need breast and cervical cancer screenings.

“Unfortunately, the bill we passed today does not solve the whole problem. However, I will continue fighting for my community and for underprivileged communities across the state until we have a full budget that is balanced and prioritizes the needs of working families over the wants of the elite in Illinois.”

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