Certification for Golden Apple Scholars

Initial Certification Overview

Initial Certification data for the Golden Apple Scholarship (GAS) can be entered and submitted to ISAC via My Zone and viewed online on the Student Certification: List screen. Schools can also request a Complete and Incomplete Certifications report that can be generated by program and exported as an MS Excel file or a Portable Document Format (PDF) file.

The Student Certification: List includes all applicants, in the three categories listed below, for whom ISAC received a complete application. The March 1 date is used for priority consideration in making awards. A student who submits the application after March 1 may still receive a scholarship in later awarding cycles, providing funds remain after timely applicants are considered.

• Renewal Timely Applicants (postmarked on or before March 1) 
• New Timely Applicants (postmarked on or before
  March 1); and 
• All Untimely Applicants (postmarked on or after
  March 2)

All Initial Certifications available in My Zone must be completed regardless of whether the school certifies a student as eligible or ineligible. 

Student Certification Entry Instructions

Refer to the Student Certification Entry Instructions for detailed instructions for completing and submitting the Certification record in My Zone. 

Determining Awards Amount

The Initial Certification is used in the awarding process. If the applicant meets all eligibility criteria, the award amount is based on whether the student is pursuing teacher education in a Teacher Shortage Discipline (TSD) and agrees to teach in a Hard-to-Staff School (HTSS).

• Up to $10,000 for individuals who agree to teach in a TSD at an HTSS; or 
• Up to $5,000 for individuals who agree to teach in an HTSS but are not pursuing teacher certification in TSD 

Reminders

• An overview of the online Certification process, instructions to enter and submit certifications to ISAC and how to request a report can be found in the TESP Certification area of My Zone. 
• An overview of the online Certification process, instructions to enter and submit certifications to ISAC and how to request a report can be found in the TESP My Zone Program area of My Zone.  
• A certification record is available at My Zone the day after ISAC receives a completed application.  
• A certification record must be submitted for applicants who are eligible and ineligible. 
• Only applicants with a complete and eligible certification record will be considered for an award. 
• Corrections to a certification record cannot be made online. All corrections must be made by ISAC. Correction requests can be submitted to ISAC by e-mail, FAX or telephone at:
  
  School Services Department – D2A
  Illinois Student Assistance Commission
  1755 Lake Cook Road
  Deerfield, IL 60015
  FAX: 847.831.8549
  School Services: 866.247.2172
  e-mail: schoolservices@isac.org