Welcome to the Counselor Zone

At your fingertips, High School Counselors/Personnel, College Admission Counselors, library and community agency staff have access to a centralized source of information concerning college planning, paying for school, and career planning information for students and their parents, as well as information concerning ISAC's programs, processes, and resources.

Counselor Message Board

The Counselor Message Board is updated each week. New messages for the week are identified by the symbol. Items under the More section, located toward the bottom of the page, provide links to information on topics that were recently listed on this Message Board.

 Be sure to regularly visit the 2010-11 FAFSA Completion page in the Applying for Financial Aid area of the e-Library for the latest information regarding the upcoming financial aid processing cycle.

 The e-Library's Commission Meeting Schedule page has been updated to reflect the projected meeting schedule through November 2010. A listing of specific agenda items will be available prior to each meeting via the e-Library's ISAC's Governing Board: The Commission area.

ISAC offices will be closed on the following days: Wednesday, November 25th (furlough day); Thursday, November 26th (Thanksgiving); and Friday, November 27th (day after Thanksgiving). Our offices will reopen on Monday, November 30th. Access collegezone.com anytime, or send an e-mail message to a School Services Representative for questions or inquiries.

Best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

The College Awareness & Preparation (CAP) committee is currently accepting Event Registration forms (updated Volunteer forms are anticipated to be available soon). Sign up to host an event today, and be part of this comprehensive effort to provide the people of Illinois with practical, timely and accurate information on the college process. To ensure maximum assistance with the planning of your event(s), completed Event Registration forms must be submitted by December 1, 2009.

Remind families that enrollment for the College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program began on November 1, 2009 and remains open throughout the year. With College Illinois!, contract holders receive tuition and fee benefits as stated in the contract, regardless of fluctuations in the market. Because contract prices will increase each month, the sooner contracts are purchased, the more money families will save. College Illinois! SmartChoice pricing offers three distinct plans, putting parents and children on an educational path that best fits their needs and budget. Visit the College Illinois! Web site to learn more about the program.

Remind your college-bound seniors (and their parents) that the fall is a good time to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN), to be used in January when applying for college financial aid.

ISAC's Professional Development Opportunities (which continue throughout November, December, January and February) are approved for Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) as authorized by the Illinois State Board of Education and for Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor Continuing Education (CE) credit as authorized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations. Details regarding the professional development opportunities series - including locations, dates, and online registration - are provided in a September 29th e-Message.

More

State Legislative Update

2009-10 ISAC Administrative Rules

Outreach Calendar/Events

U.S. Department of Education's Federal Aid First

Federal Student Aid's FAFSA4caster

FAFSA Completion Information